The park will also be used as a movie and television set.

The group already has a development containing an imitation of the Forbidden City in Beijing, a Qin Dynasty (221-206BC) palace, and a prosperous Song Dynasty (960-1279) downtown street.

The development attracted 3.2 million visitors last year.

However, the project has aroused controversy.

Ruan Yisan, a history professor with Tongji University in Shanghai, said he could not see any point of rebuilding the Yuanmingyuan, as it has already been destroyed.

"The remaining ruins are a witness of history and serve as a good reminder of what happened," Ruan said.

"Therefore any attempt to rebuild the garden will only be an awkward imitation. Moreover, the real Yuanmingyuan was not built in just five or 10 years."

Ruan suggested the group could use the money to preserve sites that are in urgent need of protection.

According to Xinhua News Agency, China has 2,500 theme parks, with an investment of 150 billion yuan (US18.5 billion). Only 10 per cent of them turn a profit.

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