RESTORING BEIJING’S FORBIDDEN CITY(2)

2007-09-10 13:55:34 [ Big Normal Small ]    　Comment

The planned completion by 2020 will be in time to celebrate its 600th anniversary. 2000 workers and craftsmen are involved along with restoration experts from Italy and the US. But the 2008 Olympics and its expected 1.5 million foreign visitors loom and the Hall of Supreme Harmony will be restored by then. It is not only the compound’s largest building but the largest wooden structure extant in China. During their reign it witnessed such grand ceremonies as the enthronement of the emperors and the proclamation of imperial edicts. In the meantime it is shrouded in scaffolding and visitors amuse themselves besides the posters explaining the challenges of the restoration task.




Mark Berthold copyright 2007

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