These Chinese tomb raiders tried to tunnel into a 1,400-year-old temple

These Chinese tomb raiders tried to tunnel into a 1,400-year-old temple
(Image credit: Twitter.com/ancientorigins)

Officials have apprehended a group of thieves who attempted to break into China's ancient Guanghui Temple, in the Hebei province.

The eight-member gang of tomb raiders hatched quite an elaborate plan: They rented a restaurant near the temple and tried to dig a 165-foot tunnel into the ancient site. The group hoped to loot the temple's Hua Pagoda, which is decorated with elaborate carvings, including Buddhas as well as elephants and other animals, Ancient Origins reports. The temple dates to the Tang Dynasty, which lasted from 618 to 907 C.E.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Explore More
Meghan DeMaria

Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.