The city of Penglai, in east China's Shandong Province, would invest handsomely in the renovation of its ancient port, restoring it to its original look, according to sources with its cultural heritage bureau.

One of China's four leading ancient ports, the port of Penglai guaranteed the shipping between northeast China's Liaodong Peninsula and east China's Jiaodong Peninsula and it also served as a vital port for the travel to Japan and Korean Peninsula during Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

As the ancient port was increasingly exposed to trash pollution in recent years, the local government invited experts from Shanghai's prestigious Fudan and Tongji universities to make a restoration plan for the ancient naval port.

According to the plan, Penglai city government have decided to invest 450 million yuan (about US$55 million) to preserve and renovate the port facilities within four years.

With the restoration of its need fire towers, battlements and drill grounds, according to the plan, tourists could enjoy a magnificent view of the Ming dynasty naval port in future.

(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2004)