Summer Palace pavilion restored to former glory

An ancient hall at the Summer Palace first constructed during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-96) has been restored to its former glory, it was announced at a news conference in Beijing on Monday.

The yearlong restoration took place on Jingfu Ge (Hall of Utmost Blessing), which is located at the east ridge of Wanshou Mountain in the Summer Palace in Beijing.

The restoration of the building is the first of its kind since 1949 when New China was founded.

The project covered its main hall and surrounding courtyard, including repairing the indoor floor and walls, consolidating wooden structures and removing rotten wood, and restoring the ground in the courtyard.