The Great Tang Dynasty Lotus Park, a large cultural theme park of royal gardens opened to the public today in Xi'an.

The theme park, which boasts an investment of 1.3 billion yuan (some US$157.2 million) and took two years to complete, is the first in China to put Tang culture on display.

Visitors can feel and touch the prosperity of Tang Dynasty society, economy, politics, culture, diplomacy, and traditions as they read Tang poems, listen to Tang music, watch Tang dances and walk through Tang style architecture.

The opening of the park marks the official start of Xi'an's campaign of Rejuvenating the Royal City.

The ancient royal city of the Tang Dynasty, named Chang'an at that time, is located in the western part of the southern region of Xi'an city within the city wall.

Including DaMing Palace in the northwest, the royal city covers an area of 9.41 sq. km. that the rejuvenating project will focus on. The project reaches out 30 to 50 years in its blue print form. The project will also emphasize the economic benefit of the tourism sector.

(Chinanews.cn April 13, 2005)