China will send cultural heritage experts to Mongolia to help restore the historical buildings and courtyard at the front of the Bogd Khan Palace Museum in the capital Ulan Bator.

This is the first cooperation project between the two countries in the field of cultural heritage protection.

The State Administration of Cultural Heritage announced on Wednesday that the administration will donate 6 million yuan (US$750,000) for the project which will be launched on May 27, and will last for two years.

The Bogd Khan Palace Museum, built in 1893, is an important historical building in Ulan Bator. The Chinese-style building was once the residence of Bogd Khan, a former religious leader of Mongolia.

The palace was changed into a museum in 1924 and a large number of precious cultural relics are housed in the museum. The buildings in the museum have been in disrepair for years.

Experts from the Xi'an Cultural Heritage Restoration Center will participate in the restoration project. They will also help train ancient building protection professionals in Mongolia.

(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2006)