Taoist complex to get major renovation

A major renovation project on a key Taoist historical relic in the center of Beijing was launched on Thursday by the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City.

The project is on the Dagao Xuandian construction complex, covering 13,000 square meters beside the northern gate of the museum. Renovation on the main buildings is planned to be completed in 2016. Installment of auxiliary facilities will be finished in 2017, and it will open to the public after that.

Built in 1542, Dagao Xuandian served as the highest-level royal Taoist temple in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.