Chinese officials have announced that Beijing's Palace Museum, popularly known as the Forbidden City, will be undergoing a major renovation that uses traditional construction techniques.

The residence of one of China's most notable emperors, the last eighth Qing Dynasty rulers, or the Hall of Mental Cultivation, underwent a partial repair during the 1980s. A good number of tourists have been coming in every year, with around 800 people at a time visiting the renowned place during peak hours.

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"It's more of a scientific research than construction project. As long as the original components can still be used, we'll not replace them with new materials," Shan Jixiang, Palace Museum Director, said.

Following previous facelift projects with professional constructors, Shan regrets they were not the best option as they lack expertise on traditional Chinese palace construction. Thus, this new restoration will abide with the ancient royal files found along the hall.

"Each worker at the restoration site will receive a year of training" Shan said. "Time is not the priority. We are more concerned with the quality."

He cited that using the classical method will enhance their experience and probe ways to rejuvenate imperiled renovation approach.

The restoration is estimated to finish by 2020, in time to commemorate the palace's 600th birthday.

Shan admitted that one of the challenges they face during the construction is moving historical relics that have not been moved for more than a century. This includes over 1,900 cultural relics like royal painting and calligraphies and age-old books.

He further said that with only 1000 of the 3800 sq. m. area open to the public, safety concerns have been raised on the area frequently visited by a huge bulk of people all at the same time (particularly during peak hours).

While the renovation is ongoing, several of the cultural remains will be displayed in Beijing's Capital Museum. For the mean time, the Forbidden City tentatively forms a virtual exhibit to show off the palace's treasure.

The Forbidden City has been the home of China's emperors from 1420 to 1911. The Hall of Mental Cultivation has become like a conference area where most officials meet that time. It was built in 1537 with Emperor Yongzhen (1678-1735) as its first residence.

TagsPalace Museum, renovation, Construction, Forbidden City, Hall of Mental Cultivation, China tourist destination, ancient relics