The Chinese capital has another major surprise up its sleeve for
athletes and tourists worldwide who will be pouring in for the
Olympic Games in 2008.
Ancient buildings in former imperial gardens, residences of the
nobility and a number of imperial tombs will be restored over the
next five years to treat visitors to more examples of the city's
glorious culture and long history, Beijing Morning Post
reported Friday.
Yuanmingyuan, a former imperial garden in northwestern Beijing,
will be restored to its original condition, with restored buildings
and landscaped hills and gardens, by 2008.
Top of the city's agenda for face-lifts are famous tourist
attractions such as the Badaling section of the Great Wall,
Liulichang Street featuring ancient Chinese culture in central
Beijing, and the Guozijian Imperial Academy, where students studied
to become officials and sat tough exams.
Between 2003 and 2008, the local cultural heritage department will
receive a total of 600 million yuan (US$72 million) from the
municipal government to maintain and renovate places of historic
interest across the city, said Mei Ninghua, head of the
department.
Besides the government contribution, the department has another 700
million yuan (US$84 million) from other sources to put into action
its ambitious plan for an Olympic Games to showcase the city's
culture and history, he said.
(Xinhua News
Agency July 27, 2002)
