After three years of efforts by international culture, historical relics and city planning experts, the Daming Palace National Park in Xi'an is open to the public.

Opening ceremonies for the park were held late last month on the newly built Danfeng Gate Square to the south of the palace.

A conference on cultural relics preservation began the same day at Danfeng Gate Tower.

Government officials, world-renowned art experts, economists and delegates from the UN and foreign embassies took part in the inauguration ceremony and conference.

The nation's capital for a number of dynasties and starting point of the famed Silk Road, Xi'an is among China's most prominent historical cities.

Built around 1,400 years ago, the city's Daming Palace housed Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) royalty.

Although the main structures of the complex were destroyed by wars in the following dynasties, it is now a potential World Cultural Heritage site.

The Daming national park opened in 2007 as part of government efforts to build "a city full of cultural spirit, social harmony and vigor," said officials.

The project is believed to be a boost to the nation's cultural heritage preservation efforts.

About 100,000 residents who were living in the shantytown surrounding the national park site have been relocated to newly built communities.

Construction was monitored by experts from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.

Daming Palace belongs to the world rather than just Xi'an, said local government officials.

"We shall always bear in mind our responsibility to our ancestors and to future generations, and take good care of the treasure of all mankind," said the city government.

(China Daily 10/14/2010 page17)