THE Hall of Mental Cultivation (养心殿) at the Palace Museum in Beijing reopened to the public on Friday.

The historic building and its cultural relics have undergone nearly a decade of research-based conservation and systematic restoration.

First constructed in 1537 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Hall of Mental Cultivation later served as the residence and venue for daily state affairs for several rulers during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

A total of 1,020 exhibits are on display in the hall. Except for light-sensitive relics such as silk textiles, calligraphy, paintings, inscribed plaques and couplets, all the exhibits on display are original items. (Xinhua)