Shenyang Imperial Palace, the second largest royal complex in China after Beijing's Forbidden City, is undergoing full-scale renovation.(Photo: chinanews.com)

Shenyang Imperial Palace, the second largest royal complex in China after Beijing's Forbidden City, is undergoing full-scale renovation. The face-lift has been in the planning stage since the palace was enlisted as part of UNESCO's World Heritage in 2004.

The renovation project covers over 90 percent of the complex. It aims to restore the original character of the palace. Historic buildings will be refurbished. The surrounding environment will be cleaned up. The objective is to restore to the palace, the grandeur that once was.

Lu Yingchao, director of Shenyang Imperial Palace Renovation Project, said, "We'll go through strict procedures in restoring the complex. All materials will be drawn from their original sources, and applied into the original craft work."

Shenyang Imperial Palace, the second largest royal complex in China after Beijing's Forbidden City, is undergoing full-scale renovation.(Photo: chinanews.com)

Shenyang Imperial Palace, the second largest royal complex in China after Beijing's Forbidden City, is undergoing full-scale renovation.(Photo: chinanews.com)

It's been five years since the last restoration work on the site. The current renovation is expected to be complete by the end of July.

Built in 1625, Shenyang Imperial Palace was the residence of the founders of the Qing Dynasty. Shenyang was later used as an "accompanying capital" after the Qing Dynasty moved its capital to Beijing in 1644.

(CCTV June 5,2008)