Work to restore the beauty of the Yuanmingyuan, China's great imperial garden, has achieved its first success with the western part of the garden excavated from the debris of ages.

Renowned heritage expert Wang Shiren, who is an adviser to the project, said the work will protect the garden's present condition, rather than restore it to the splendor of old.

Located on the northwestern outskirts of Beijing, Yuanmingyuan was first built in 1709 and underwent 150 years of construction under five emperors of the Qing Dynasty from 1644 to 1911.

Yuanmingyuan, also known as the Old Summer Palace, was once described as the "garden of gardens" for its luxurious palaces and mansions in both Eastern and Western styles.

(CNTA.com September 22, 2004)