CHANGSHA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Construction of a museum which will showcase personal possessions of the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong and other related relics has begun in his hometown of Shaoshan, central China's Hunan Province.

    Covering more than five hectares, the museum will house more than 6,500 items left by Mao, including official documents, poems, stationery and even his old wash basin. But only 700 exhibits, 500 of which are being displayed for the first time, will be on show. The rest will be kept in its collection.

    According to a local government official, the exhibits will help the public gain further insight into Mao's life experiences.

    Construction began on Wednesday and is scheduled to be completed before the end of December to mark the 113th anniversary of the birth of Mao, a founding leader of the Communist Party of China and the People's Republic of China.

    The 150 million yuan (about 18.9 million U.S. dollar) museum will be open to visitors next year, said the official.

    Mao, born in Shaoshan on Dec. 26, 1893, spent much of his youth in Shaoshan and for that reason many Chinese people regard it as a "sacred place." Mao died on Sept. 9, 1976. Enditem