Yuanmingyuan Antiquities Attract BeijingersThousands of Beijing residents on May 29 rushed to the Poly Art Museum for an exhibition of three Chinese national treasures looted by British and French troops when they invaded Beijing in 1860.The antiques are bronze heads of an ox, a tiger, and a monkey, three of the 12 animal sculptures in a water clock designed for the Yuanmingyuan Palace, described as one of the most splendid gardens in the world. The three pieces were recovered at auctions in Hong Kong and the Poly Group Corporation of China bought them for more than 33. 17 million Hong Kong dollars. The exhibit in Beijing, free of charge, will last a month. Another Yuanmingyuan relic looted by British and French troops and recently bought by the Beijing Cultural Relics Company, a hexagonal vase carved with flowers and patterns, will be transported back to Beijing next month and will be held in the Capital Museum. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |