A Masterpiece Lost to Time
The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan), located in Beijing’s Haidian District, was the pinnacle of Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) imperial gardens. Built over 150 years by Emperors Kangxi to Daoguang, it spanned 3.5 km² with 150+ scenic zones, earning the title “Garden of Gardens” from French writer Victor Hugo.
Historical Significance
- Origins: Commissioned in 1707 by Emperor Kangxi for his son, Emperor Yongzheng, it evolved into a political hub and summer retreat.
- Design: Merged Chinese landscaping (e.g., Hangzhou’s West Lake replicas) with European Baroque elements (e.g., Western-style fountains by Jesuit designers).
- Destruction: Looted and burned by British-French forces in 1860 during the Second Opium War, then further ravaged by the Eight-Nation Alliance (1900).
Key Features
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Three Gardens:
- Yuanmingyuan: Core area with 40 iconic scenes like Zhengda Guangming Hall (throne room).
- Changchun Garden: Featured Western-style ruins (e.g., Great Fountain Ruins).
- Qichun Garden: Leisure pavilions and lakes.
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Cultural Legacy:
- Artifacts: Over 1.5 million treasures (e.g., jades, scriptures) were looted; 7 stone columns repatriated in 2023.
- Symbolism: A site of artistic brilliance and significant historical importance.
Visitor Experience
- Ruins: Explore collapsed marble pillars and overgrown foundations with AR reconstructions.
- Museums: Yuanmingyuan Exhibition Hall displays recovered artifacts and historical documents.
- Events: Annual cultural festivals spotlight sino-European architectural fusion.
Practical Tips:
- Hours: 7:00–19:30 (summer until 21:00).
- Fee: ¥25 (includes Western Ruins zone).
- Transport: Subway Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Station.
2025 Update: New “Digital Yuanmingyuan” app launches with 3D garden reconstructions and multilingual audio tours.
For tickets: Official Site.
