It is widely accepted that restoration and conservation is a systematic work involving multiple disciplines and factors. Every antique, object or collection has its unique features of historical information, cultural value and deterioration situation. It is an important basis for deciding how to carry out the restoration and conservation of objects to take valuable investigation and study the reasons for their existence, through the observation and research on objects. In this essay, the conservation work of a copper phoenix from the Palace Museum’s collection is used as an example to introduce information research, elemental composition, structure and manufacture of the phoenix. The work is aimed at analyzing the problems encountered during this process, proposing solutions corresponding to every condition, and explaining the identification processes and formative factors of problems. Problem-based learning (PBL) used in restoration and conservation of cultural relics has an underlying logic, which could make conservators know clearly the reasons for their actions.