Beijing Photo Gallery - Yuan Ming Yuan Part 2

Yuan Ming Yuan, or the Old Summer Palace, was dubbed the "Versailles of the East". Spread across 350 hectares of landscaped gardens, it was a set of 5 residences for the Qing rulers, with construction starting in the early 18th century. Each residence has its own building, artificial lakes, and water systems, meant to become a miniature model of the lands under the emperor's rule. There were also European-style buildings as well with stone facades built over Chinese wood frames that were designed by Jesuit missionaries.

Today, it lies in ruins, ransacked, looted, then burned to the ground by Anglo-French forces during the Second Opium War in retribution for several negotiators being killed while persuading for a Chinese surrender. Many stolen artworks have made their way to collections in Europe, and occasionally at auction houses.

Over the decades, there have been numerous debates on whether the palace should be rebuilt to its prior splendor. For now, it is kept in this state to remind the country of its humilitation under foreign aggressors during the 19th century.

After visiting the main ruins, it was time for a break at a small museum as I head back west across the northern end of the site.

The government has been quite vocal in attempts to try to recover looted treasures, especially when they come up in auction. Amongst the most famous are a set of 12 animal head sculptures that formed a zodiac water clock.

Wuzhuting once had 5 European-style double-eaved bamboo pavilions.

To get to Huanghuazhen's pavilion in the middle, you need to find your way around a maze with 4-foot high brick walls. The emperor once sat in the centre while staff would scramble with their yellow lotus lanterns. The first to make it through would receive a reward.

Just a short walk away is the next set of ruins.