The Shaolin Temple, an icon of Chinese kungfu, plans to open a branch in Taiwan, cashing in on quickly warming ties between the Chinese mainland and the island, a tourism operator said on Wednesday.

The temple in Henan province has authorized Liu Cheng-chih, who heads a foundation that promotes tourism between the two sides, to build the branch in Miaoli county on the island, according to media reports.

The complex will cover more than 30 hectares and may cost up to 1 billion NT$ ($33 million), according to Liu.