Whether wooden elements been reused ?

When the wood has rotted, it cannot be used again. But we select and reuse the pieces that are still good enough.

We use new wood, but work in the old style. To clean [prepare] the wood requires a lot of skill. The work is very complex. First, we cover it with some oil and paint, and then some ash. Then we apply the color. The construction technique is also special. No nails are used. We are working in the old style. With this construction, very long and wide drawings can be placed on the wall.

We are also re-creating all the signs that once hung in the buildings. Our calligrapher, Mr. Miao, works in the style of Emperor Qianlong. He uses Manchu and Chinese Han [Mandarin Chinese] characters. There were originally nine signs that hung outside the buildings, too.