Yuanmingyuan was Beijing's original Summer Palace for the Qing emperors and also known as "the Garden of Gardens", before it was destroyed in 1860 under the orders of the Earl of Elgin. When it was first built by a Qing emperor in the Eighteenth Century, the site consisted of three gardens: Yuanmingyuan, Changchunyuan and Wanchunyuan, covering 350 hectares.

The southern part of Yuanmingyuan was where the emperor dealt with official business. Other areas were largely scenic sites, built for the emperors enjoyment and imitated scenic spots from throughout China and the West.

Many of the gardens of Yonghegong were western in style and design , made up of fountains, mazes and European style palaces. Today, it's difficult to imagine the site as it once was. But, with a little imagination one can picture the emperor atop a hill gazing at the "mini Venice" once created for him! The wealth of treasures and art that was once here has also vanished and most are now housed in galleries throughout the West.

Open:Daily 9am-6pm