Beijing is famous for its unique architecture, as well as its breathtaking gardens. Now, the government is moving to preserve these treasures, which include some of the capital's top tourist sites, such as the Summer Palace.

The Summer Palace is an imperial garden, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO. But after so many years since it was built in 1764, preservation of the famous garden has become a major concern for the city government.

On Wednesday, electric heating was put into use, replacing coal stoves in winter. This should help cut pollution, preserve the old buildings, and reduce paint fading. One official said the last big refurbishment was 50 years ago. Most of the structures are now undergoing regular maintenance, rather than urgent repairs.

Gao Dawei,a Summer Palace official, said, "The repair periods differ. According to normal aging patterns, the buildings need major repair work every 30 to 50 years, during which time there will still be minor maintenance work."

The Confucian Temple and Directorate of the Imperial Academy are also in need of repair. The government has stipulated that the old buildings must retain their original features and appearance.

(CCTV.com Novmember 12, 2004)