Beijing Grand Theatre restoration completed

Chinese capital is home to the Deheyuan Garden, the largest royal theatre in China, situated in Beijing's iconic Summer Palace. After a year long restoration, the garden has now been restored to its former beauty and glory. It will open to the public next year.

Deheyuan Garden, literally meaning the garden of virtue and harmony, was built as a theatre for the Empress Dowager. Its construction began in 1891, the 17th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign, and lasted for five years. The three storey theatre stage is the biggest and best-preserved wooden stage, comprising a delicate design and magnificent structure.

The scale of the restoration work, which began last year, has been the largest during the past six decades.

Liu Yuan, Deputy Diretor of Summer Palace Construction Center, said, "The restoration work includes renovation of the main buildings, and reconstruction and an upgrade to the security system, fire control, and other issues. All the work aims to keep its original designs and structures."

The Grand Theatre will open to the public in March next year.