Glimpse back to the glory days of the Qing Dynasty right here at the \u5706\u660e\u56ed\u76db\u65f6\u5168\u666f. This was once the famed Old Summer Palace. It stood as the Garden of Gardens. The Old Summer Palace was known as Yuanmingyuan too.
Originally, it was called the Imperial Gardens. Some even knew it as the Winter Palace. The \u5706\u660e\u56ed\u76db\u65f6\u5168\u666f embodied the pinnacle of Chinese imperial garden design. Emperors like Qianlong lived and worked here. The Forbidden City was only for formal events then.
Imagine gardens that stretched for 3.5 square kilometers. That is almost five times the Forbidden City. Think of halls, temples and galleries dotting the landscape. Lakes and bridges added to the beauty. The Imperial Gardens had three main sections. There was the Garden of Perfect Brightness. Also, there was the Garden of Eternal Spring. The Garden of Elegant Spring completed the trio.
Inside these gardens lay treasures beyond measure. Artwork, antiquities and rare books filled the halls. Famous landscapes from southern China were recreated here. The Old Summer Palace truly earned its nickname. It was the Garden of Gardens.
Construction began in 1707 and lasted throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries. The Kangxi Emperor started it all. He intended it as a gift for his son. Later emperors expanded the gardens. Yongzheng added waterworks like lakes and streams. He also named 28 scenic spots. Qianlong increased that number to 50. He even ordered European-style palaces built. Jesuit Giuseppe Castiglione designed these western mansions.
Envision a clock fountain with twelve animals. Each one spouted water every two hours. All twelve spouted at noon. These western-style buildings were a small part of the gardens. Most of it was Chinese style.
Sadly, this splendor met a tragic end. In 1860 during the Second Opium War Anglo-French troops looted and destroyed the palace. The 8th Earl of Elgin ordered its complete destruction. This was in retaliation for the torture of delegation members. It took 4000 men three days to burn it down. Countless treasures were lost forever.
Victor Hugo lamented the destruction. He described it as two robbers looting a museum. He hoped France would one day feel guilty. He wanted them to return the stolen treasures.
Today, the ruins stand as a historical site. You can see the remains of the European-style palaces. They are a stark reminder of what was lost. The Chinese government has considered rebuilding. But many feel it should remain a reminder of history.
Take a moment to reflect on the rise and fall of this magnificent place. The \u5706\u660e\u56ed\u76db\u65f6\u5168\u666f is a symbol of China’s past. It is a testament to both its artistic achievements and its times of turmoil.