Overview:

: Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) is a former imperial palace complex located in Beijing, China. Built in the 18th century, the sprawling complex was originally designed as a summer residence for the Manchu emperors of the Qing dynasty. It was constructed during the reigns of the three emperors–the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong Emperors–and underwent numerous expansions over its long history. Yuanmingyuan was known for its many grand gardens, pavilion buildings, grand halls, and beautiful landscape design, and was commonly referred to as the “Garden of Perfection and Light”. Unfortunately, much of the complex was destroyed by European and French armies in 1860 during the Second Opium War. Today, a small part of it has been restored to its former glory, and visitors can witness some of its breathtaking architectural and landscape elements. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in China
Prominent Features:

1. A Complex of Chinese and European Architecture: Yuanmingyuan is an imperial garden complex made up of traditional Chinese elements blended with European-style gardens and pavilions. 2. Paintings and Statues: The palace complex spans a large area and is home to numerous paintings, statues, and sculptures, among them some of the most iconic and valuable pieces from Chinese art history. 3. The Garden of Perfect Brightness: The Garden of Perfect Brightness (in Chinese: Yuanming Yuan) was one of the largest sections of the complex. It included dozens of pavilions, gardens, corridors, ponds, and more. 4. Ancient Chinese Cultural Relics: In addition to its elaborate layout and luxurious decor, Yuanmingyuan also houses some rare ancient Chinese cultural relics, including more than 8,000 pieces of ancient artwork, about 4,000 stone inscriptions, and a large collection of rare books. 5. Fountains and Gardens: There are numerous fountains and gardens in the complex, each carrying their own unique beauty. Amongst them, there is a pond of plums and a pavilion of shrimps. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in China.

History:

The Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace), also known as the Garden of Perfect Brightness, was an imperial garden complex located northwest of Beijing. Construction of the palace complex first began in the late 18th century during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor and was subsequently expanded by his son, the Jiaqing Emperor. It was then further restored and expanded by the Xianfeng Emperor and Tongzhi Emperor during the 19th century. The garden complex was home to numerous magnificent pavilions, halls, and temples, and was renowned for its decorative sculptures, gardens, and elegant landscaping. The garden complex served as an imperial playground during the summer months, a tradition that would last until 1860 when it was sacked by British and French forces. The destruction of the Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) by the British and French forces had a profound impact on Chinese culture and politics. After the incident, many Chinese people began to view the imperial court and its foreign relations policies as weak; the sacking of the palace was seen as a result of such policies. This sentiment eventually sparked the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895, the result of which further weakened Chinese influence in East Asia and led to increased pressure from other foreign powers. In the decades that followed, many plans were made to rebuild the Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace), yet it was not until the 1980s when the restoration project began to make significant progress. The project was made possible with the help of funding from the Chinese government, organizations, and concerned citizens. Today, the Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) stands as a national treasure of China, with part of the palace complex open to the public. Visit one of the famous monuments of China with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Yuanmingyuan was designed by the Jesuits from the court of the Qing Dynasty in China. 2. The Yuanmingyuan was built as a luxurious imperial garden, modeled after the gardens of Versailles in France. 3. The vast palace complex includes hundreds of buildings, pavilions, gardens, and ornamentations. 4. The Yuanmingyuan was destroyed by British and French troops in 1860 during the Second Opium War. 5. The remains of the Yuanmingyuan are now a public park, and the site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 6. One of the main surviving structures of the Yuanmingyuan is the Great West Gate, which was built in 1747. 7. The Yuanmingyuan is often referred to as the "Old Summer Palace," as it was the site of summer residential activities for members of the imperial court during the Qing Dynasty. 8. The Yuanmingyuan is located in Beijing's Haidian District, and covers an area of more than 3.5 square kilometers. One of the historical monuments of China, it tells the story of a bygone era