Beijing to Lavish US$72.6 Million on 'Humanism Olympics'

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 02, 2002

Beijing to Lavish US$72.6 Million on 'Humanism Olympics'

Beijing's rich past will be enhanced as part of an ambitious multi-million-yuan project in the lead-up to the 2008 Olympic Games. The municipal government would invest 600 million yuan (US$72.6 million) between 2003 and 2008 to maintain and renovate more than 100 places of historic interest across the city.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

A planned 600m yuan(US$72.6 million) appropriation is to expend on 'humanism Olympics' and things will all be in place towards the end of accomplishing the plan for the protection and upkeep of Beijing's cultural relics and historical sites in the coming five years according to a municipal announcement lately released.

According to plan, 'axis' and 'road' sights are to be built, 'five historical districts (reservations)' to be restored and 'six suburban scenic sites' renovated so as to bring a new lease of life to Beijing as an old capital with its culture and history dating back to the ancient past.

'Old sights and sites of interest will be both protected and utilized when new ones are created and necessary renovations made' are the guidelines formulated to see to it that 'humanism Olympics' be translated into practice in Beijing. Under an overall unified construction plan, things with all old 'sights' and 'sites of historic interest' will be put in order on the central axis of Beijing and along the Chaoyangmen-Fuchengmen Road as landmark sights and scenes mounting the landscape in the old and new city proper of Beijing.

By restorations of the 'five reservations' are meant old Ming and Qing imperial City Wall sites (including Shishahai scenic and Guozijian tourism districts with the biggest architectural conglomerations contrasting those in Forbidden City); Liulichang traditional cultural business district including Yuan Dynasty Earth City Walls and Ming Dynasty City Wall ruins. And by overall refurbishing and renovations done there will instill a new meaning and rhyming into capital Beijing with an upgraded value for developing feature tourism.

Of the 'six suburban sights' said to be renovated, there are Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan, Fragrant Hills, Ming Tombs, Badachu, Tanzhe Temple and others known as a scenic part of Central Capital during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), of Dadu (Great Capital) of Yuan (1206-1368), and old Beijing of Ming ( 1368-1644) and Qing (1616-1911).

Beijing, an ancient city with a fascinating culture, is facing a common dilemma for many other cities worldwide - the need to safeguard its past while continuing to build its future.

It seems the traditional look and feel of the ancient city is being pushed back by futuristic skyscrapers and trendy shopping centres. Across the city, sites of cultural heritage are at risk of disappearing because of rampant destruction and urbanization.

In the past three years, local government has earmarked 330 million yuan (US$40 million) for relic protection. Mei said 98 heritage sites had been or were still in the process of being restored.

By People's Daily Online

Questions?Comments? Click here

Beijing Decides on 2008 Olympic Venue Construction Plan

Beijing Officially Issues Guiding Document for 2008 Olympics

>> Full Coverage

Saddam: US and Britain are Telling "Harmful Joke" ( 3 Messages)

China Offers New Security Concept at ASEAN Meetings ( 4 Messages)

China's High-tech Development Geared to Marketable Industries ( 2 Messages)

HK Financial Secretary Confirmed Marriage with Chinese Diving Queen ( 2 Messages)

Experts Reject 'China Threat' Theory ( 5 Messages)

Christian Designs Found in Tomb Stones of Eastern Han Dynasty ( 4 Messages)