Old Summer Palace

About Old Summer Palace

Beijing Old Summer Palace, also known as Yuanmingyuan, is a magnificent palace complex located in the northwestern outskirts of Beijing. It was first built in 1709 by the Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi and rebuilt in 1792 by the Qianlong Emperor. The palace served as the main imperial residence and garden for the emperors and their families during the summer months. The Old Summer Palace is renowned for its large and varied collection of gardens, palaces, pavilions, lakes and bridges. The most famous structures in the complex include the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the Hall of Jade Ripples, the Palace of Eternal Spring and the Tower of Buddhist Incense. The palace was completely destroyed by British and French troops in 1860 during the Second Opium War. The ruins were later excavated and restored in the 1960s. Today, the Old Summer Palace is a popular tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.