Jiexiu Shanfang. A name that echoes with imperial grandeur. Right here, nestled within the eastern shores of Fuhai within the greater splendor of Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace), stood Jiexiu Shanfang. It was one of the forty scenic spots within the Old Summer Palace. Construction on Jiexiu Shanfang commenced around 1731, during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng.
Jiexiu Shanfang’s name, meaning “Receiving Splendor Mountain Lodge,” was bestowed by Yongzheng himself in March 1731. The plaque bearing its name, an impressive piece of calligraphy, measured 1.55 meters long and 0.53 meters high. The lodge extended along the east bank of Fuhai. It boasted breathtaking views to the west across the lake. The main building of Jiexiu Shanfang consisted of three westward-facing halls. A plaque inscribed with a poem composed by Emperor Qianlong in 1739 adorned a window in one of the halls. This poem described the stunning views: “Smoke and mist offer moistening dew, morning and evening offer distant enjoyment. The lodge receives Western Mountain’s beauty, the window faces Northern Dyke’s expanse.” The last recorded imperial poem about Jiexiu Shanfang dates to 1798, composed by the Jiaqing Emperor.
Initially, Jiexiu Shanfang’s grounds included several other structures. These included the Qinxin Study, south of the main lodge. It also housed the Zhenzhui Courtyard at the southernmost tip, a hexagonal structure with a single-eave roof and six pillars. A bridge, originally a three-arched wooden plank bridge, spanned the stream in front of Zhenzhui Courtyard. This bridge was later replaced with a five-arched, Western-style bridge during the Qianlong Emperor’s reign. Other features of the area included the Yunqin Studio, just east of Jiexiu Shanfang. This structure received its name and plaque in 1738.
As time went on, Jiexiu Shanfang underwent significant transformations. By the Jiaqing Emperor’s era, many of the original structures had vanished. The southern courtyard area was replaced by a grand three-winged structure known as Guanyun Pavilion. This significant change reflects a broader trend in late Qing Dynasty imperial gardens, a shift toward larger buildings with expansive halls and complex layouts. The transformation reflects the increasing importance of the Old Summer Palace as a center for political activities and imperial life, a transition from a primarily recreational space to one that accommodated a wider range of functions.