The Summer Palace
By: Gabrielle Hess
History
The Imperial Chinese Garden was first built in 1750. Although, in 1860 the famous tourist attraction was destroyed during the Second Opium War by the allied forces. The site was rebuilt to its original state in 1866. After the reconstruction the garden was renamed, The Summer Palace.The Palace was used as a summer resort for Empress Dowager Cixi.
Architecture
The Palace is very big. Three quarters of the property is covered by water. The garden is separated into three parts, each area with its own function. These functions include political and administrative activities, residence, and recreation and sightseeing.
The Summer Palace, Beijing