The palace will be rebuilt in six parts -- western-style buildings, a cultural relics exhibition, outdoor relics, a leisure and entertainment area and a service and administration area.

An official in charge of the project says that the new palace will not be an exact replica of the old one, but it will incorporate and preserve the relics. The date for starting contraction has not been set yet.

Yuanmingyuan was built in Qing Dynasty and later destroyed by British and French troops in 1860.

(China Radio International)