Yuanmingyuan's archaeological site now open to public

Yuanmingyuan, the Old Summer Palace, has opened its archaeological site to the public from Sunday.

The event was jointly hosted by the Beijing archaeological research institute, the Yuanmingyuan ruins management office, and the Beijing archaeological society.

About 20 citizens and students were invited to visit the archaeological site, engage directly with experts, observe the excavation process, witness archaeological findings, and appreciate the charm of archaeology.

The event aimed to share the achievements of the Yuanmingyuan archaeological work, promote archaeological knowledge, and create a positive atmosphere for public participation in cultural heritage protection.

The chosen site was the Wenyuan Pavilion ruins, located in the northwest part of Yuanmingyuan, which served as a royal library, mainly housing the Siku Quanshu (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries), the largest anthology in ancient China.

In support of the Wenyuan Pavilion ruins protection and exhibition project, and with approval from the National Cultural Heritage Administration, archaeological excavation began on Aug 26, covering an area of 1,000 square meters. To date, remnants of palace gates, royal roads, waterways, drainage facilities, and access paths have been uncovered.

This year's Wenyuan Pavilion archaeological excavation site will remain open to the public, allowing citizens and visitors to observe the excavation process until the end of October.