Taimiao in Shenyang palace Museum opens to public

After six months of restoration the Imperial Ancestral Temple, or Taimiao, in Shenyang Palace Museum in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China’s Liaoning province -- opened to visitors on Oct 5, during the National Day holiday.

Taimiao was firstly built in 1781 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1711-99) in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It was a place where emperors worshipped their ancestors.

The restoration work on Taimiao was a key project approved by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, officials said. It is also the first public demonstration project for the protection of cultural relics in Liaoning province.

During the restoration period, a total of 80 local people in four teams were allowed to experience and help with the repairs on the ancient building work.

Li Shengneng, curator of Shenyang Palace Museum, said that such a practice helped people understand more about ancient buildings and helped raise people’s sense of national pride.

An exhibition displaying Taimiao’s history and stories also opened on the day to visitors.