Datong's multi-billion yuan project to renovate its ancient city will be completed by the end of 2012. The project will restore old street names, renovate ancient temples and palaces, and remove modern buildings. It has raised heated discussions online recently.

Shang Chilong, for instance, wrote a paper online praising the project. He said that it was wise to rehabilitate the old buildings to maintain the city's unique features, instead of building new skyscrapers. The project has created many jobs for citizens, and tourism is a better way to boost the economy than exploring non-renewable coal resources.

Others remain neutral in the debate. They don't want to impose their opinions on the issue and prefer to wait and see how things go.

Others are strongly against it. One netizen wrote, "How nice it would be if they used the money to repair the sewage system." Jin Mingmiao, another e-pal, complained, "If the government wants to improve people's lives, they should spend the money on education and medical care". Gao Shan commented, "Today, the government demolishes the buildings built yesterday, and tomorrow, they will demolish the buildings built today. That's how they spend taxpayer money".

By Li Xiaonan