Kangshan Garden, the largest private salt merchant's residence in Yangzhou city, East of China's Jiangsu Province, opened to the public on April 20, 2006 after three months closure for maintenance.

Visitors looks on the newly-repaired residence of a salt merchant in history in Yanzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province on April 20, 2006. [chinadaily.com.cn]

The restoration ing work of Lu Zhaoxu's private residence is one of this year's the important projects in the protection of the cultural city Yangzhou. All the reparations work will be finished at the end of April.

A large banquet with 100 dining tables arranged will be held during the 2006 International Economy, Trade and Tourism Festival known as the "Flowery March" which runs from April 18 to May 18.

The garden is very large, covering over 6,100 square meters and with buildings covering 4,284 square meters. It extends about 100 meters from the front yard to the back.

Yangzhou salt merchant Lu Zhaoxu, owner of the Garden, started to build the residence in 1894 during the 20rd year of reign of Emperor Guangxu.

In the 1980s the buildings were used as a food factory and became very run down and dilapidated. Four halls around the entrance were largely destroyed by a fire.

The newly-repaired garden attracted s many local citizens and tourists on the its opening day.