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)