Beijing - Summer Palace Yiyeyuan

The Summer Palace, lies 15km/9mi to the north of Beijing, its 716 acres making it China's largest park; originally it was a private garden. In 1153 the emperor had the park laid out and named it Jinshui Yuan. During the Yuan period (1271-1368) the lake in the park was enlarged (today called Kunming Hu). From the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) onwards the park was used as imperial gardens. Under Qianlong (reigned: 1735-96) the complex was enlarged to its present size. In 1860 English and French troops burned the park to the ground. Empress Cixi reconstructed the park in 1888, using funds which were in fact intended for the imperial fleet. She named it Yiyeyuan. In 1900 it was once again destroyed by foreign troops and rebuilt yet again by the Empress. It was finally opened to the public in 1924, and since 1949 extensive restoration work has been carried out. Today the park is a favorite destination for excursions.