Royal summer retreats of Chinese emperors

Updated: 2014-08-06 07:10

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Yuanmingyuan

Royal summer retreats of Chinese emperors

Staff with Yuanmingyuan (the Old Summer Palace) dress in royal costumes during an emperor-themed event, Juy 17, 2013. [Photo/IC]

Yuanmingyuan was one of the two most important summer resorts for imperial families during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Compared with Chengde Imperial Summer Resort, Yuanmingyuan, in the western suburbs of Beijing was more convenient. The resort was built and repeatedly expanded by five emperors of the Qing Dynasty. Different from other Chinese gardens, Yuanmingyuan adopted Western architecture thatch well blended with its typical Chinese scenery.