Chasing the Lost Yuanmingyuan

Author: Wang Rongzu / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Scanning through the imperial palaces and gardens in Chinese history, one quickly identifies three common characteristics. They are extremely grand, surrounded by the finest landscapes, and feature vast architectural complexes to convey a sense of awe-inspiring majesty and the emperor's authority. Grandeur is the most fundamental artistic feature of imperial palaces and gardens. Second, the garden architecture pursues luxurious, majestic, and magnificent appearances, creating an impression of exceptionally opulent structures. Third, they are designed based on mythological themes, such as the splendid palaces on the mythical Mount Penglai, to express the joy and fantasy of a world where immortality reigns. The Old Summer Palace is the pinnacle of Chinese garden art and the most magnificent imperial palace in Chinese history. The rise and fall of the Old Summer Palace is a microcosm of the Qing Dynasty's journey from prosperity to decline. This book examines the Old Summer Palace from three perspectives. First, it reconstructs the layout of the Old Summer Palace, presenting the appearance and essence of its architecture, and elaborates on its significance in aesthetic design and layout. Second, it explores the daily and political activities of the five Qing emperors from Yongzheng to Xianfeng in the Old Summer Palace, discussing its organization and functions. Finally, it examines the rise and fall of the Old Summer Palace, detailing the process of its destruction, looting, gradual decline, and eventual abandonment. This book, richly illustrated, showcases the entire history of the Old Summer Palace—from its construction and expansion to its decline—offering not only insights into the history of the Old Summer Palace but also a glimpse into the rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty.