In the past eight years, the ancient city has worked hard, investing millions of dollars to support hundreds of renovation and remodeling projects in order to preserve its long cultural and historical legacy.
In China, there are six “World Heritage Sites” and almost a hundred “national treasures.” The ancient city of Beijing carries a wealth of cultural history. Thanks to government protection measures and scientific support, the capital continues to preserve its historical relics as a monument to Chinese pride.
In recent years, the renovations made to the increasingly protected historical landmarks throughout Beijing, especially to the six “World Heritage Sites” have become even more intense, beautifying the city in their representation of the long history of the Chinese people.
Great Wall
In the past 2000 years, the Great Wall has expanded to roughly 120,000 km. Over 20 sections of the Great Wall, including Badaling and Simatai, will be undergoing construction in June, in order to repair the historical site. Since 1987, Beijing has had six landmarks given the label “World Heritage Site.”
Forbidden City
The renovation of the Forbidden City is now at full throttle in Beijing. This is the first full-scale effort to restore the imperial grandeur of its 582 year history. After the restoration, Wuying Hall, the editing center of the famous “Imperial Encyclopedia in Four Volumes”, opened to the public for the first time in September of last year. In 2008, the Forbidden City will reflect the glory days it experienced during the reigns of Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong.
Temple of Heaven
Qinian Hall of the Temple of Heaven is undergoing another large-scale renovation; the last one having taken place in 1971. To restore its original look, the Beijing Cultural and Garden Departments have used over 20 thousand “gold” bricks to cover the ground, 450 thousand regular bricks to replace the concrete walls, and have repainted it according to historic pictures, among other things. After the 47 million yuan renovation process is completed, the ancient site will start hosting visitors after this year’s 1 May holidays.
Summer Palace
On April of last year, the renovation of the 110-year old Foxiang Temple in Beijing’s Summer Palace began, 50 years after its last full-scale renovation. As the Summer Palace is a signature site and an important part of the “Olympic Cultural Heritage Preservation Project,” the total renovation investment reached 50 million yuan.
With renovations completed in 2006, the Hall covers 6,800 square meters. Today, the dark roof of the Foxiang Temple glimmers again.
Among UNESCO World Heritage sites are China’s many imperial tombs. Under the restoration programs, the number of imperial tombs which have undergone large-scale renovations has reached double digits.
The Zhoukoudian Peking Man Museum has experienced numerous collapses and earthquakes, and an investigation of seven out of eight excavations has yielded potential geological diseases. After three months of reconstruction, the excavation sites can now withstand earthquakes of at least eight points on the Richter Scale. The second phase of reconstruction has already begun. Total investment of this site has surpassed the 100 million yuan mark.
To preserve the city’s ancient heritage and culture, Beijing has devoted all of its effort to the protection of its legacy.
On 10 June, Beijing will receive some long anticipated good news: the State Council will officially announce the list of the new national-level heritage preservation sites. 45 years ago, when the Council announced the first list of “national preservation” sites, only 60 from Beijing made the cut. This time, 38 more sites from Beijing will successfully be on the list to be protected on a national level.
Heritage preservation
Some say that Beijing started its heritage preservation movement in the early 90s. Utilizing the opportunities hosting the Olympics brings, over 600 million yuan have been invested in repair work over five years, an average annual investment of 120 million yuan on heritage preservation; the equivalent of the National Cultural Bureau’s annual budget.
On 13 July, 2001, Beijing won its bid to host the Olympic Games in 2008. Facing this historic opportunity, the current municipal government felt a great responsibility in preserving the capital city’s heritage.
There was a time when Beijing allocated less than one million yuan to heritage preservation. With jurisdiction over 2 million square meters of ancient buildings, this is a very small amount. Instead of preservation, teams were basically assigned to rescue sites that were on the verge of “death.”
Since the turn of the century, the municipal government has decided to invest 330 million yuan to cover the cost of renovation and restoration for hundreds of the city’s heritage buildings. This number is nearly equal to the total amount that Beijing has spent on renovation works in the past.
2003 is the year the Beijing heritage preservation movement really started rolling. During this year, the municipal government organised the first heritage preservation conference in the new century. The nationally famous “330 million project” is approaching its end and the “Olympic Cultural Heritage Preservation Project” has officially started.
Since 2000, the 810 million yuan budget assigned by the municipal government has brought in over six billion yuan worth of civil investment. In addition, the municipal government has an annual budget of 380 million yuan dedicated to maintaining and renovating historical streets and traditional buildings, such as time-honored Beijing courtyards.
In the past three years, all signature and valued world heritage and national heritage preservation sites have been renovated.
Close examination of the site where “Peking Man” was discovered has brought about one anthropological surprise after another. Last year, the cave, where Mr. Jia Lanpo first made the historical discovery of Peking Man, was discovered after “hiding” for over half of century. Experts have also found what they believe to be ancient tools and accessories made from animal bone. On April 27th of this year, museum employees discovered badger teeth dating back 10,000 years.
Consolidating rock mass
In 2004, the thousand year old Jietai Temple located on the western side of the city was in danger of collapse. The city government quickly decided to solve the problem by consolidating the rock mass at its base, allocating 50 million yuan toward the project. To guarantee results, the Beijing Cultural Relic Department used leading world technology. Today, Jietai Temple stands safely on sturdy ground.
Renovations were also completed or at least begun on Confucius Temple, North Lake Qiong Island heritage buildings, Yuanmingyuan, Gongwang Palace, Miaoying Temple, Fahai Temple, Lugou Bridge ... Over the past three years, Beijing’s heritage sites have almost all started renovations at the same time. There were in total 121 renovation projects, in which 51 were completed, covering 450,000 square metres.
The central axis of Beijing starts in the south from Yongdingmen Gate to Bell and Drum Towers in the north, a total of 7.8 km. There are 14 “National Preservation” sites connected by this “jade chain,” which can be seen on ancient building rooftops, decorated with the well-known “Beijing ridge.” Mr. Liang Sicheng once said, “Beijing’s unique and magnificent structural order has been created through this central axis.”
The Beijing central axis refers to the line of old Beijing structures dating back to the Qing and Ming Dynasties. Beijing’s urban planning has been focused with the Forbidden City in its center and proportional landscape on both sides. Under this scheme, many buildings stand on this axis of symmetry: the central axis. To an ancient city like Beijing, the central axis is the spirit of its development. On the axis is recorded the history of old Beijing, reflecting its past glory and revealing some of its mysteries.
The most eye catching complex of all on the central axis is the Forbidden City. The ancient site has been continuously repaired and consolidated since the founding of the People’s Republic of China over 50 years ago, but due to the lack of human and material resources, it did not undergo full-scale renovations until 2003. According to official resources, this renovation project will last over 19 years with a total investment of over 2 billion yuan.
Taihe Hall, or “Golden Throne Hall,” has not undergone full scale renovation for over 300 years.
Exploration
After two years of detailed discussion and exploration, the renovation project has begun on the ancient building; Taihe Hall has been covered by a 35 metre tall canopy. Forbidden City Museum Renovation Center director Li Yongge explained that the renovation project will strictly adhere to standard protocols for ancient buildings. Every procedure will take into consideration natural factors such as seasonal changes and humidity. This project will be inaugurated before the Olympics.
Wumen Front Tower, the structures on the east and west side of the central axis and its surrounding buildings, Yanxi Palace, Jianfu Palace Garden...Over the last three years, about 150 renovation projects have been completed in the old imperial city. Renovated and restored areas total over 38,000 square metres.
As the city’s renovations grow, not only has the former imperial city begun to display its old glory piece by piece, many hidden treasures have also been discovered. In September 2004, when the renovation project reached Qinan Hall, workers surprisingly discovered over 3,000 Tibetan Buddhism books covered by mud on the roof of the building.
Qinan Hall is the most important Taoist Hall in the Forbidden City, which served Emperor Zhenwu. Experts questioned why Buddhist books would be found here, and reasoned that they might have been added to the Hall during the Qing Dynasty, thus reflecting the merging of Confucian culture and Buddhist and Taoist religions during Ming and Qing Dynasties.
After restoration, aside from the ones kept for research purposes, most of the books were placed back onto the roof.
(To be continued next week)
Renovation project
In September 2005, Qinan Hall’s renovation project was completed.
“We cannot show a damaged Forbidden City to domestic and international tourists. In 2008, the Forbidden City will represent a type of sprit, and a clean, magnificent image.” “The imperial city’s image corresponded to the strength of the nation. After the full scale renovation project, the Forbidden City will return to its glory days experienced during the Kangxi and Qianlong eras,” experts said.
In 2003, reparation work on Tiananmen “chenglou” officially began. Due to the deterioration of water pipes, the residue left behind by summer rains were not fully cleaned away, causing a sort of “clog” against the walls of structures in the Square during the winter. The Beijing municipal government allocated almost 10 million yuan to eradicate the hidden problems. After 47 years of slowly losing the fight against nature’s winds and rains, the Monument to the People’s Heroes stands resurrected this year.
Today, “China ridge” roofs stand prominent on old buildings in the city, giving city residents a sense of pride.
In 2004, Yandun, one of the “five towns” associated with ancient Beijing, was given new breath. The Yongdingmen building rose again to tower over all, becoming the most prominent landmark in the southern city.
Among the nine major altars and eight major temples in old Beijing, the Xiannong Altar and part of the Temple of Heaven finished renovations, showing their “new” faces to the world in 2003.
After the Temple of Heaven’s “praying altar” was renovated in 2005, the spiritual place was returned to its original appearance and atmosphere, much like it was first imagined by Qing Dynasty Emperor Guangxu.
Bustling business
In 2008, Qianmen Street renovations will revive its initial bustling business atmosphere.
The first of the “nine gates” in Beijing is Zhengyang Gate. This gate’s tower and sword room were renovated in 2005, returning the look of the gate to its original brick splendour.
By the end of this year, the five pagodas in Jingshan Li would have shed their layers of deterioration, re-establishing their original magnificence.
The innate beauty of Houmen Bridge was exposed again in 2003.
The Temple of the Fire God, whose brilliance was hidden for almost half a century, stood up again after renovations completed in 2005.
In 2003, passersby could once again hear the strong ringing sound of the bell in Bell and Drum Towers.
In the past few years, of the 14 cultural sites situated along Beijing’s central axis, twelve have undergone detailed renovations.
In 1957, when the ancient Yongdingmen tower collapsed, Beijing’s central axis lost one of its most important sites. Beijing’s old city stood incomplete.
Yongdingmen Gate, located on the southern portion of Beijng’s central axis, has a long history. In the 32nd year of Ming Dynasty Emperor Jiajing’s reign (1552), Yongdingmen was first constructed. After 400 years, nature took its toll, and the immense tower collapsed.
For many Beijing residents, the loss of Yongdingmen meant the incompletion of Beijing’s old city.
In regards to repairing Yongdingmen, the two most important aspects to consider were traffic and money. When China won the bid to host the Olympics in 2008, Yongdingmen saw its chance. As most of the Olympic venues are located on the northern end of the city’s central axis, and Yongdingmen is located in the south, repairs to the gate must be made in order to ensure a thorough, complete central axis. As a major cultural tourist site, the gate is very important to Beijing’s history. As such, the municipal government decided to give the gate new life.
In 2003, the southern portion of Beijing’s central axis officially began renovations. Over ten companies were assembled to take on the task of renovating, greening, and managing the area.
Construction completed
With the “green light” from all managing entities, construction was completed in an amazingly short amount of time.
On 10 March, 2004, work officially began regarding renovations for Yongdingmen. Planners wanted to bring back the original splendor of the site, restoring relics to their initial look. Experts and historians thoroughly investigated the site’s history, and referred to the 1937 map of the tower to outline the restructuring work. Everything was designed so that Yongdingmeng would look as closely as possible to its appearance before its collapse. Even the original stone sign overhanging the gate was put to use, having been luckily rediscovered at the Beijing Cultural Relic Museum.
In September of 2004, the construction of Yongdingmen was finally completed. Almost half a century after its collapse, the gate fully stands up to its reputation and importance as the towering southern structure overlooking the southern portion of Beijing’s 7.8 kilometre long central axis.
With the “new” Yongdingmen in place, the central axis is complete. All of these renovations have allowed Beijing’s old landmark sites to reappear on the map.
Yongdingmen isn’t the only structure to be “renewed.”
The Ming Dynasty City Wall was started during the Ming Dynasty in 1419. The Chongwenmen section of the wall is 1.5 kilometres long. At the southeast corner is the country’s largest corner tower, one of the most important units of the City Wall. To date, about 2,600 people live around that area, going about their daily rituals surrounded by modern buildings and cars. The tower stands in the midst of all of this congestion, making for not only an unattractive site, but also a dangerous one. Nearby residents have taken parts of the wall to build parts of their homes, further deteriorating the ancient site. In 2001, the municipal government invested a large amount of money to repair and rebuild the corner tower, and relocating the current residents. One year later, the ancient site was revived, turning into a glorious city park.
Cultural relics were once only considered important for their historical value; now they are also emphasised for their important societal value.
Beijing hutongs and “four box houses” embody the spirit of Beijing. The municipal government began a campaign to protect these ancient landmarks, swapping the traditional train of thought of large-scale development for slow, small-scale change.
Historical valure
The last large-scale development took place in the Qing Dynasty under Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong, but at that time, only royal residences were protected. Now, even ordinary people’s traditional courtyard houses (Siheyuan) are being protected to preserve their historical value.
Most of the courtyard houses were constructed during the Qing Dynasty and at the beginning of the People’s Republic of China. Although they are cultural landmarks identifying Beijing, they have not been protected as historical relics in China. Age and deterioration have taken its (their?) toll on the buildings. In March of 2003, the city’s cultural department began its work, seriously investigating the city’s courtyard houses one by one. After a year, the first 200 that satisfied the standards set by the commission regarding protection were given the status of “protected housing.” In July, a number of experts visited a group of courtyard houses to hang up signs labeling their protected status. Number 001 is located at Dongsishi’ertiao Street. To date, 658 such buildings have been identified with the special label.
On January 10th of this year, Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau Director Mei Ninghua announced that protecting Beijing’s cultural relics will be an important point to be emphasized in the country’s 11th Five-Year Plan. This will inevitably include the protection of the streets and hutongs in the courtyard houses.
There are three main goals regarding the renovation and preservation of Beijing’s old district. One, to change the residential environment; two, to improve the quality of life for Chinese citizens; and three, to reveal the old city’s characteristic styles and features. The failure of any of these will mean the failure of the entire program. Experts agree that in order to preserve the relics’ legacies, people will have to change their mindsets. No longer should old buildings be rapidly torn down; ancient sites should be first examined, then protected.
Betterment of society
For example, during the construction on Gulou East Street last year, residents suggested that those apartments near the street, instead of being torn down, should be converted into store-front buildings, putting into effect micro changes for the betterment of society.
The idea of “microcirculation” is to slowly change the old to the new, in small increments. This is a complete three-hundred and sixty degree change from previous schools of thought, where huge and rapid development was actively pursued. Gulou East Street is the first street in Beijing that hasn’t been widened or constructed on a large-scale. As such, the area was able to return to its original splendor, similar to that of its business oriented historical legacy held during the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the People’s Republic of China.
Beijing is known for its historic importance. As such, residents believe that the capital city should also be a place suitable for living. In the quest for the harmonisation of old Beijing and modern development, Beijing has developed the following:
Baimi Byway is following the construction theme of “microcirculation,” where small improvements will be made, while slowly repairing the street’s native atmosphere;
The traditional Chinese residences built along Nancizi Street will be renovated to fit in nicely with the bustling Wanfujing Street;
Construction in Congwen District will continue to adhere to protection guidelines;
Regions that have been designated as culturally important have all been protected so as to preserve the area’s image and original glory.
From 2000 to 2004, Beijing completed several protection plans geared at preserving the city’s ancient architecture. Currently, there are still laws being written to enforce the protection of these important heritage sites. With the law on their side, old Beijing has nothing to fear as modernization steadily creeps in.
Development
Beijing’s development must take into account the preservation of cultural artifacts and buildings. As the city modernises to keep up with international changes, it is of the utmost importance to maintain the ancient legacy left behind from China’s long history.
Leaders have all emphasised the importance of protecting Beijing’s heritage sites and maintaining the city’s name as a place with much history to tell. New development of the capital must take into account how it will affect the atmosphere and environment of ancient sites; as such, thinking must evolve to minimise the negative impact of new development. This includes the coordination of traffic, laws, and construction work.
Experts and government officials are currently writing laws and procedures regarding the protection of old relics while keeping pace with development.
In January of 2005, China’s State Council passed a law concerning the overall planning of the capital city between 2004 and 2020. The city government developed strategies to enhance the city’s character, protecting it as the country’s capital, an international city, a culturally and historically loaded city, and a place that’s good for living.
Before, old buildings that were to be torn down were systematically marked with large white circles painted on the walls. Inside that circle, there was the word “Chai,”meaning, “tear down.” Now, with the new thinking mechanisms in place, large-scale development has been eradicated.
Construction in Beijing’s old city is expected to drop of an all-time low. Any originally planned large-scale development plans have been relocated to outside of the city’s old district, alleviating much of the pressure on the current educational, cultural, and health structures already standing.
Cultural protection policy
Currently, Beijing’s mid-term (2008-2015) cultural protection policy is rapidly being formulated.
Other plans for the protection of cultural sites and relics are one by one being supported and passed by government entities focused on the protection and preservation of Beijing’s old city atmosphere.
In 2005, plans regarding the Imperial Palace’s southern section included Zhenyangmen, which is, coincidentally, the northern border of what was voted a “World Heritage Site” in 1998. This is the first time that two World Heritage Site’s are neighbours.
Next year, the Hall of Great Harmony, the most important building along Beijing’s central axis, will complete renovations. The facilities used by China’s ancient royalty, including the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and other historic sites are one by one being restored to their original royal splendor.
Old upper class residences are also being renovated.
Qianmen Street is now a pedestrian-only street, trolley cars are not patrolling the city, the capital city has become revived.
Strolling along Beijing’s central axis, elements of Ming and Qing Dynasties dangle before your eyes. All of the repairs and renovations revive the old district.
Heritage sites on the outskirts of Beijing are also being given attention to, including the famous tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasty. Relics that were uncovered from the tombs 50 years ago will be placed back where they came from, to be placed as their original intention.
The impressive Great Wall, with all of its repairs, looms snake-like, guarding over the city.
The passage of time carries its toll, but the shadow of ancient Beijing can still be seen all around the city. Now with all of the renovations and repairs completed or in the process of being finished, old Beijing will live again.
MIA Olympic Special – What’s On
Friday, 15 February on E22 at 9pm , Sunday, 17 February on E22 at 10am (RPT) and on TVM at 525pm, and Monday, 18 February on E22 at 2.30pm (RPT) will feature the following:
Featured Event – Snooker – Malta Cup
One of the main events on the tour of the World Snooker Association is the Malta Cup. The top snooker players were in Malta between the 4 and 10 February to take part in this annual event. A full week of top class snooker for all to enjoy.
Highlighted Event – Shooting International Event / Malta International Football Tournament
As part of the Malta Shooting Federation activities marking it’s centenary a number of events were held at the Bidnija Range. Amongst these were the skeet and trap event. A number of world known shooters took part together with their Maltese counterparts.
The 14th edition of the Malta International Football Tournament was held once again with the participation of the host country Malta, Belarus, Iceland and Armenia. This programme will take an in depth look at the performances of our national team
MOC Section
Since this year is an Olympic year this programme will start featuring interviews with athletes that will probably be in Beijing for this summer’s games.
Olympic Archive
A trip down memory lane will make us recall past editions of the Olympic Games.
Schedule available every week on www.nocmalta.org and on The Malta Independent newspaper every Tuesday. Produced in collaboration with E22.
From the private collection of Charles Camenzuli
On 9 July 1948, Malta’s only athlete for the 1948 Olympic Games, together with chef de Mission Mr. Manduca and manager F.X Zammit Cutajar, left Malta on their way to London. Their journey took them through Rome and Nice, before landing in London. It was the first time ever that an athlete travelled by airplane to compete in an international competition.