Yuanmingyuan

Being the cream of Chinese imperial gardens, Yuanmingyuan was world renowned as "Leader of Gardens". Its construction began in the 48th year of Emperor Kangxi's Reign (1709). It comprised three gardens centered on Fuhai (Lake of Fortune): Changchungyuan (Garden of Everlasting Spring) lying in the east, Yuanmingyuan (Garden of Perfection and Brightness) in the west, and Wangchungyuan (Garden of Ten-thousand Springs) in the south. Yuanmingyuan was a resort used by the feudal rulers for rest and pleasure as well as for holding audiences and attending to state affairs. Its unique architectures and accompanying scenery embodied the finest styles found in scenic spots and places of interests both in China and abroad. Most of the buildings were in the best traditional Chinese palace architectural styles, while occidental styles of arts in palace construction were also absorbed to produce a harmonious combination. One of the examples was the group of the "Western Buildings" in Changchungyuan, of which the main body was modeled on Barolk style but topped with traditional Chinese glazed-tile roofs. As a creation, the perfect combination of Chinese and western architectures added fresh contents to Chinese garden construction.

One-third of the ground of Yuanmingyuan was taken up by over 200 small hills in the scenic area where precipitous cliffs, secluded valleys, steep rock walls and stone caves zigzagged their way about. Half of it was covered by waters of the vast lake and the serpentine streams and ponds. In Yuanmingyuan there were towers, terraces, pavilions, halls, corridors, pagodas, bridges etc. of different sizes, with a total construction area of 150,000 square meters, corresponding to that of the Imperial Palace. The multifarious architectures standing encircled by hills and rivulets and amidstbeautiful flowers and exquisite waters, presented a picturesque view. Of the total 160 scenic attractions in Yuanmingyuan, many were imitations of scenic mountains and rivers and famous gardens in China.

Unfortunately, this Leader of Gardens?was reduced to ruins by the fire the invading Anglo-French Joint Forces set to it in 1860, which lasted three days and nights. The remaining columns of the Eastern Buildings?and other ruins serve as a reminder of the barbarity as well as the fierce resistance then.

Xiangshan Park

Xiangshan Park was called Jingyi (Tranquillity) Park in ancient times. It is located in the southern side of the Temple of the Azure clouds at the foot of the Western Hills, northwest suburbs of Beijing. Xiangshan forms like a crescent moon, behind which the connected peaks from north, and south encircle a col of 6 square kilometers. The Xiangshan Park is built in this col.

It is a mountain forest park, which utilizes the natural environment with artificial embellishment. Every pavilion, terrace, tower, pagoda, hall, loft, hill stone is made suitable for the requirement of natural scenery. Beautiful environment of the nature and various buildings at different layers are made in accordance with each other beauty, appearing in very harmonious grace.

The red maples are the picturesque scenery known far and near. Every year after the frost descent (in the last ten days of October), a great tract of maples of more than 90 maple trees on the south-west slope of the mountain become red. Among which some leaves of pine, cypress, persimmon and white birch dot the scene, inlaying green and yellow with red like a natural embroidery.

In the middle of the slope of the northwest mountain of Xiangshan Park, there is a tablet on which the Emperor Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty inscribed "Fine day snow in the Western Mountains", one of the eight sights of old Beijing.