Craftsmen compete for chance to renovate China's Palace Museum

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A total of 43 carpenters put their best foot forward in a special competition held by the Palace Museum in Beijing on Sunday, striving for an opportunity to participate in the renovation work of the ancient palace.

All the contestants were required to operate using traditional Chinese measures of construction. Most of the ancient Chinese buildings are wooden frame structures, and the basic unit is known as Sun-Mao – all parts interlocked with each other to support the whole building.

Carpenters participated in a competition held by the Palace Museum. /Photo via CNR

Nails, on the other hand, are not so frequently used. As a result, such structures require highly-skilled carpenters.

It is not the first time the museum has held such a competition. Earlier this year, a similar competition for tillers was held, and in the coming year, an event will also involve painters.

According to Shan Jixiang, curator of the Palace Museum, the purpose of organizing such competitions is to innovate the structural barrier in relics preservation and renovation.

Shan said that previously, the museum also tried the bidding model for such renovations. However, most companies focused only on the economic profits rather than paying enough attention to the high quality required in the renovation of ancient relics.

Interior of Yangxin Dian, or Hall of Mental Cultivation. /Photo via Palace Museum‍

According to the organizers, all 43 carpenters are professional craftsmen in repairing ancient buildings. They have to pass two tests, the theoretical part as well as the technical part, to get into the final list.

After the competition, those selected will receive training on the protection and renovation of the palace, before work begins.

All the workers are chosen for the renovation of Yangxin Dian, or the Hall of Mental Cultivation, which was used as the Emperor’s bedroom during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is part of the general renovation project of the Palace Museum that started in 2002.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation will be open to the public in 2020, after the renovation. By that time, at least 80 percent of the palace will be open.

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