A temple-shaped villa perched on a 19-story apartment building in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, will be completely demolished within one week, according to Nanfang Daily.

Tiles have been removed from the temple's roof.

A Buddha statue has also been moved. Bags of cement are piled inside the building as workers get rid of rubble.

The villa was built in 2005, according to the city's urban management authorities.

Originally the villa had the features of a traditional Chinese-style temple with golden roof tiles and upturned eaves adorned with carvings of dragons and phoenixes.

The villa was the subject of intensive media coverage in August with neighbors complaining about burning ash.

After eight years, the demolition finally began. The owners committee of Meijia Park community told the media they welcomed the demolition.

Liu Minxing, deputy head of the urban management branch on Shahe Street, where the community is located, told media that the demolition started on Aug 30, and should be finished within a matter of days, weather permitting.

Translated by Lin Jing in China Daily Hong Kong branch