The History of Peking, China's Old Summer Palace

The Old Summer Palace in Peking (now Beijing), China lays in ruins today. It was once an elaborate complex of gardens, waterworks and buildings of varying architectural styles. The buildings once contained one of the largest collections of Chinese art and literature ever held in one place. The complex was destroyed and now the ruins of Old Summer Palace serve as a sad reminder to the Chinese of the price of war.

The Old Summer Palace in Peking was commissioned by Emperor Kangxi as a gift for his son, who would later become Emperor Yongzheng. At the time the Old Summer Palace was referred to as the Imperial Gardens. Construction began on the Old Summer Palace in 1707. Eighteen years later, Yongzheng began expanding the complex his father had built by adding man-made lakes, streams and ponds as well as many of the gardens artworks. Emperor Qianlong also added to the palace and gardens. He incorporated European influenced architecture as well as Tibetan and Mongol style buildings. The Old Summer Palace came to be the official home of the Emperors. It operated much like the Forbidden City.  Read more of this article.  Image Source