Tue, August 05, 2008
The most magnificent garden in the history, the great Yuan Ming Yuan (Garden of Perfect Brightness) spanned a three-hundred-fifty hectare area with a fairyland of hills, ponds, lakes, ancient trees and palaces filled with one and half centuries of imperial treasure collections. However, it was tragically burned by the allied forces of the eight powers in 1860.
In the ancient and vast country of China, there are three construction works enjoying world-wide fame even today: The Great Wall, Stone Niche Temple of Dun Huan and Yuan Ming Yuan. Yuan Ming Yuan was the latest, yet the most ruined one.
For 139 years, Yuan Ming Yuan served for administration, vacation and living purpose for the six generations of emperors YongZheng, QianLong, JiaQing, DaoGuang and XianFeng in the Qing dynasty. The emperor and his wives would live in Yuan Ming Yuan after Chinese New Year until the end of autumn. Yuan Ming Yuan was the largest and most luxurious imperial garden, with a host of scenery sites representing different Chinese gardening styles. In terms of artistic and architectural values, Yuan Ming Yuan has a number of unique characteristics.
Address:
No.28, Qinghuaxilu, Haidian District
Opening Hours:
7:00 to 19:00 (May to Aug)
7:00 to 18:30 (Apr, Sep and Oct)
7:00 to 17:30 (Jan to March, Nov and Dec)
Admission Fee:
RMB 10
