In order to protect Chinese cultural relics, the symptoms of damage to free-standing cultural relics by the Wenchuan earthquake, as well as methods to prevent damage, were studied. Typical earthquake damage symptoms seen in free-standing cultural relics are discussed. Museums, base supports and cultural relics were all studied to identify the cause of damage of free-standing cultural relics. Shortcomings of typical methods used in China are discussed, and new technologies and their mechanism for protecting free-standing cultural relics in foreign countries are introduced. Based on world-wide experiences with earthquake protection measures for free-standing cultural relics, helpful suggestions are provided. Survey results show that damage to free-standing cultural relics by the Wenchuan earthquake was caused not only by the strong earthquake, but also by the lack of seismic preparation measures. In order to improve its seismic damages, the museum, first of all, has to get seismic retrofitting. Then the base supports have to be designed so as to achieve vibration isolation. Finally the relics have to be connected firmly to the base supports. In addition, development of, new technologies for protection of free-standing cultural relics is encouraged.