Beijing has launched a massive maintenance project on the centuries-old Confucian Temple and Imperial College, the national capital's cultural relics bureau said Saturday.

The maintenance work, in which the city will invest about 8 million yuan (US$963,800), is expected to last 12 months. The renovation includes dismantling any modern style architecture on the sites' grounds, the spokesman said.

A spokesman of the cultural heritage bureau said the renovation is the most extensive one in past 50 years. After the work, more of the sites' cultural relics will be open to visitors.

The two places will remain open to visitors and worshipers during the maintenance work, the spokesman said.

The Imperial College, "Guozijian" in Chinese, was built in early 14th century and served as the highest learning institution and educational administration during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (1271-1911).

The Confucian Temple, adjacent to the Imperial College, has served as a place to worship ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius(551BC-479BC) since its establishment in 1302.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2005)