Old Summer Palace to Get a New Theme Park?

The Global Times reports that the 303-year-old Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) could soon be home to a glitzy, modern theme park. What better way to commemorate centuries of imperial glory and subsequent national humiliation?

The district government has called for elimination of the distracting “floating population and illegitimate buildings” surrounding the marble ruins, ambiguously citing safety and hygiene issues as justification for redeveloping the Haidian neighborhood. The plan echoes the project proposed for the area around the Drum and Bell Towers, where developers are planning a “Time Culture City” as well as new high-end retail and parking.

According to the Global Times article, “The plan involves an Old Summer Palace theme park and a gateway square outside the walls of the Old Summer Palace.”

Predictably the new plan has its nay-sayers: Old Summer Palace historian Yang Zhenduo eloquently commented, "I'm not sure if we need a new theme park," adding “"The new park could be a distraction to the authenticity of the place."

Spoil-sport.