Restoration work on Zhengjuesi (Enlightenment Temple), the only surviving building cluster in Yuanmingyuan (the Old Summer Palace), started a few days ago, and when that is complete, about one-fifth of Yuanmingyuan including Dagongmen (the Palace Gate) will be rebuilt.
Archeological excavation is part of the rebuilding of Zhengjuesi which will be restored to its original grandeur, the only group of buildings in the Yuanmingyuan to be renovated completely to conform to the original.
The Zhengjuesi lies to the west of the front gate of Yichunyuan (Garden of Everlasting Spring), one of Yuanmingyuan?s three gardens, and was first built during the Emperor Qianlong?s rein. Covering more than 10,000 square meters (about 2.47 acres), the temple was for the exclusive use of the royal family in the heyday of Yuanmingyuan. Composed mainly of Sanshengdian (Hall of Three Sages), Wenshuting (Manjusri Pavilion), Zuishanglou (Top Tower), the building complex has been described as ?richly ornamented, splendid and magnificent.?
And just because the temple stood on the periphery of Yuanmingyuan, could the temple survive the burning of foreign aggressors. [Yuanmingyuan was destroyed in a fire set by British and French forces in October 1860. And in 1900, it was again looted and burned by the Eight-Power Allied Forces.] Even until 1960s, most buildings in the temple were well protected, but it was later occupied by some units and suffered grave damages, just leaving front gate, Wenshuting and its four affiliated halls and 26 ancient trees. People who had been living in Zhengjuesi have been removed.
A director with Yuanmingyuan administration office said the rebuilding of one-fifth of Yuanmingyuan including Dagongmen will begin after the Zhengjuesi project.
(北京晚报 [Beijing Evening News] translated by Feng Yikun for china.org.cn April 19, 2002)
