The restoration would start with Zhengjue Temple outside the Qichun Garden of Yuanmingyuan, also known as "Garden of 10,000 Gardens", and the work would be done by Beijing Ancient Architecture Restoration Company, said Wei Baoshan, director of Yuanmingyuan Administration, at a function Saturday to announce the winning tender.

Located in northwest Beijing, Yuanmingyuan was begun in 1709 and was finished in 1744. It was burned down by the British and French troops in 1860 and sacked and totally burned down again, after partly restored, in 1900 when the Eight-Power Allied Forces -- troops sent by Britain, the United States, Germany, France, Tsarist Russia, Japan, Italy and Austria -- occupied Beijing.

Zhengjue Temple, built in 1773, is situated west of the main entrance of Qichun Garden where it survived both attacks.

The temple was later converted into a factory which has since been located elsewhere. The temple gate, a pavilion, four supporting halls and 26 ancient trees still survive.

Wei said restoration of the temple would be carried out in two phases, and the entire task would be completed by late September next year.

Restoration of other relics inside Yuanmingyuan would then begin, said Wei.

There are over 40 separate ruins around Yuanmingyuan.

"It is impossible to fully restore Yuanmingyuan to its originalsplendor as only 10 percent of the architecture above the ground could be restored or rebuilt. The total area of work is estimatedat 17,000 square meters," said Zong Tianliang, assistant to the director of Yuanmingyuan Administration.

The cost of the restorations has not been revealed.

(People's Daily December 16, 2002)