Ruins of Ancient Imperial Palace Discovered in China

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 ◆ Ruins of Ancient Imperial Palace Discovered in China

Chinese archeologists have discovered ruins of the imperial palace of the first emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1179) in east China's Zhejiang Province.

The discovery was made when a construction team was widening roads in Hangzhou, capital city of Zhejiang Province.

Du Zhengxian, deputy director of Hangzhou Archeology Institute,said that the emperor spent his last 25 years after his abdicationin this palace.

Historians say archives record the palace as being spectacular as it copied features from famous scenic areas in the West Lake scenic region.

The West Lake scenic area, covering an area of 60 kilometers, is renowned for the beauty of its pagodas, mountains and temples.

Du Zhengxian said archeologists after a month's excavation of the southern area have discovered walls from other parts of the palace.

Du said the excavation will continue for another month, but even that will not have reached the essence of the palace, because"it is huge in size." (People's Daily)