Restoration work on Zhengjuesi (Enlightenment Temple), the only
surviving building cluster in
Yuanmingyuan
(the Old Summer Palace), started a few days ago, and when that is
complete, about one-fifth of Yuanmingyuan including Dagongmen (the
Palace Gate) will be rebuilt.
Archeological excavation is part of the rebuilding of Zhengjuesi
which will be restored to its original grandeur, the only group of
buildings in the Yuanmingyuan to be renovated completely to conform
to the original.
The Zhengjuesi lies to the west of the front gate of Yichunyuan
(Garden of Everlasting Spring), one of Yuanmingyuan's three
gardens, and was first built during the Emperor Qianlong's rein.
Covering more than 10,000 square meters (about 2.47 acres), the
temple was for the exclusive use of the royal family in the heyday
of Yuanmingyuan. Composed mainly of Sanshengdian (Hall of Three
Sages), Wenshuting (Manjusri Pavilion), Zuishanglou (Top Tower),
the building complex has been described as "richly ornamented,
splendid and magnificent."
And just because the temple stood on the periphery of Yuanmingyuan,
could the temple survive the burning of foreign aggressors.
[Yuanmingyuan was destroyed in a fire set by British and French
forces in October 1860. And in 1900, it was again looted and burned
by the Eight-Power Allied Forces.] Even until 1960s, most buildings
in the temple were well protected, but it was later occupied by
some units and suffered grave damages, just leaving front gate,
Wenshuting and its four affiliated halls and 26 ancient trees.
People who had been living in Zhengjuesi have been removed.
A
director with Yuanmingyuan administration office said the
rebuilding of one-fifth of Yuanmingyuan including Dagongmen will
begin after the Zhengjuesi project.
(北京晚報
[Beijing Evening News] translated by Feng Yikun for china.org.cn
April 19, 2002)