Old Summer Palace starts 2nd phase of 'Restoration 1860'

Beijing's Yuanmingyuan, also known as the Old Summer Palace, has kicked off its second phase of the "Restoration 1860" project. The restored relics include 11 pieces from the three dynasties of Kangxi (1661-1722), Yongzheng (1722-1735) and Qianlong (1736-1795), People's Daily reported on Saturday.

In recent years, with the continuous progress in archaeological work, a large number of cultural relics, including stone carvings, colored glaze and porcelain, have been unearthed in the ruins of the Old Summer Palace. Among them, six pieces of fine porcelain were restored in the first phase of the "Restoration 1860" project that was launched on April 24 this year.

After more than two months, six cultural relics were finally restored and displayed in the exhibition hall of the Old Summer Palace.

On September 20, the Old Summer Palace started the second phase of "Restoration 1860" to continue the restoration of unearthed cultural relics. Compared with the first phase, the period of the restored relics is relatively complete. A total of 11 pieces from the Kangxi (1661-1722), Yongzheng (1722-1735) and Qianlong (1736-1795) dynasties have been restored. 

The repair process is expected to take four months, according to People's Daily.

According to Tao Chong, a cultural relic repairman at the Old Summer Palace, the process involves experts restoring the fragmented cultural relics by sorting, cleaning, bonding, matching, leveling, color making, painting decoration, glazing, effect making, photo filing, forming work log and evaluation. Each step is complicated and interlocking.

All 11 restored cultural relics will be displayed in the Old Summer Palace and scanned in 3D. Their scanned data will be documented in the Yuanmingyuan's online digital museum. The public will also be able to view them on the museums official WeChat page in the future.