The pavilion, a replica of the Old Summer Palace, next to a lake in Dongyang, Zhejiang province. [Photo/CFP]

Construction of the replica began in 2012. Part of the park, including a replica of the Great Fountain Dashuifa, one of the best known sites at the Old Summer Palace, is still being built and will open to the public next year.

"There must be regrets building the replica, like some old construction techniques have been lost, but we used the best techniques available today to get close to history," Xu said, admitting there had been difficulties gathering historical files and blueprints of the original structure.