Work to restore the legendary beauty of Yuanmingyuan, China's great ancient imperial palace, is scheduled to start next year.

According to the draft regulation on Yuanmingyuan Remains Protection, the renovation - the first large-scale effort since 1976 - is expected to cost 400 million yuan (US$48 million) and take three years.

The renovated palace will not be a simple replica of the original, which was built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) but was destroyed by British and French troops in 1860, said Zong Tianliang, assistant to the director of Yuanmingyuan management administration.

"The ambitious project will focus on revival of landscape elements like lakes, hills and plants. Yuanmingyuan will be turned back into the 'garden of gardens,' as it was referred to before its destruction," Zong said.

The reconstruction of original pavilions and bridges is also planned, but the best-known Western structures in Yuanmingyuan, such as the fountain and the European palaces, will stay in ruins.

The question of whether to rebuild the ruined structures was first raised in 1983 and it remains a much debated topic among experts. People are still discussing the way in which Yuanmingyuan, a splendid garden rich in history, should be presented to the public.

Some experts suggested that the park be restored completely according to its original design to exhibit Chinese imperial culture.

Others said they thought the park could never again be its exquisite self after the 1860 war. They said the park's main value is that the ruins teach about the country's humiliating past.

Despite such controversy, a plan was developed. Twelve institutes and 800-odd families living inside Yuanmingyuan Park have already moved out.

"The renovation mainly aims to present the natural environment of Yuanmingyuan and its history," said Zong.

Zhengjue Temple, the only surviving historic structure in the garden, will be rebuilt soon. The park will not be closed during construction.

Yuanmingyuan, located on the northwestern outskirts of Beijing, is one of five famous gardens created during the Qing Dynasty. It was first built in 1709 and underwent 150 years of construction under five emperors.

In 1860, all the treasures in Yuanmingyuan Park were looted. The palace was set alight and reduced to ruins. In 1900, the allied forces of eight foreign powers invaded Beijing and sacked the remaining buildings in the park.

In the past few years, efforts have been made to collect the garden's lost cultural relics from home and abroad.

(China Daily December 12, 2002)