Built in 1553 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it was the largest city gate tower in the outer city of ancient Beijing.

The gate tower was the starting point of the 7.8-kilometre-long central axis which is a fundamental feature of Beijing's layout and splits the city into approximate halves.

Kong Fanzhi, vice-director of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau, said the reconstruction will involve the use of traditional building materials and techniques; and the design is almost the same as the original. It is scheduled for completion in September.

"The schedule is very tight," said Xu Xiongying, deputy manager of a construction company which restores ancient buildings and cultural relics that has been entrusted the project.

"More than 300 construction workers and artisans are engaged in the restoration. We need to work round the clock to finish the project in time," said Xu.

He added that the most difficult task is to rebuild and put up the eaves because the wooden parts need to be assembled without a nail.

Wang Canchi, a cultural relics expert with the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said the restoration was important for the city after decades-long roar of bulldozers.

"I felt much sorrow when the gate tower was demolished in the 1950s," said Wang, "The imaginary central axis line of Beijing is a masterpiece in the history of city construction worldwide. But the axis was like a broken string because its starting point disappeared."

Wang appealed to the municipal government in 1999 for the reconstruction of the Yongdingmen Gate, and other renowned experts like Wang Shiren, Wu Liangyong and Zheng Xiaoxie put forward similar suggestions.

Although some people question the restoration, saying that the rebuilt gate tower will be fake, Wang said the project is necessary to rehabilitate the original central axis of ancient Beijing.

| China Travel Update |