Beijing's Forbidden City or Palace Museum, the 584-year-old imperial palace that was the residence of 24 of China's emperors, is the largest and most integrated palatial compound in the world. It is currently being renovated in stages and, as one can imagine, the renovation works are of imperial proportions. So, too, are the challenges faced by those tasked with its refurbishment and repair.

Imperial facelift for Juanqin Zhai

The repair of Juanqin Zhai is proving to be the most challenging since works began in 2001. Juanqin Zhai was the retirement complex of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) in the Qing Dynasty, and was the most luxuriously decorated during Qianlong's reign. 

Unfortunately, its repair has also taken on a "luxurious" flavor.

"Its repair involves the most sophisticated craftsmanship and technology," said Cao Jinglou, director of the Sci-Tech Department of the Cultural Relics Protection of the Forbidden City.

The most distinguished palace carpenter Zhao Chongmao has passed away, and painters Wang Zhongjie and Bu Xuelin are already in their 70s. They have been invited to help with the repair project, but more as consultants. The actual work is being done by migrant workers who have received only basic training.

To Wang and Bu, young craftsmen lack a deeper understanding of traditional culture. Their workmanship and management are poor despite the fact that they might be more educated. They also lack the motivation to continually improve themselves, whether it's perfecting their plane-ing or masonry skills. 

Older or veteran artisans are hard-pressed to find talented youth worthy to be their apprentices. Bu said he has had only two apprentices in recent years. 

The repair of Juanqin Zhai is a test-case of sorts. The repairs that have to be done are so complicated and intricate, particularly repairs involving specially processed bricks, the caisson murals and the Xianlou opera stage. A success here will bode well for repairs to other parts of the imperial palace, as far as methods and processes are concerned.

According to Cao, the Gaoli wallpaper in the complex, which is solid and has anti-humidity properties, will be replaced by a mulberry (bark) paper, jointly produced by the China Paper Research Institute and four paper mills in central China's Anhui Province.

The highly demanding tabasheer, or bamboo works, will be undertaken by an artisan who was found after a massive "man-hunt" through Sichuan, Zhejiang and Hunan provinces.

The repair/renovation project is expected to be completed by 2020. This project is the biggest ever for the Forbidden City since its last renovation in 1911. The first stage of the project will be completed before the 2008 Olympics.