Ruins of Yuanmingyuan in Beijing

Yuanmingyuan ruins located in the northwest of Beijing, directly to the north west of Fifth Ring Road Tsinghua University and less than 1 kilometer to the east of the Summer Palace. New Anglo-French troops were aggressively invaded China in 1860, three Yuanmingyuan Garden is part of a large residential complex imperial garden of the Qing Dynasty, and located away from the Forbidden City. At first it was a gift from Emperor Kangxi in the Qing fourth son of Prince Yinzhen (Emperor Yongzheng) and primarily composed of water section. When construction began, the name, however, is still unknown. In 1709, the Kangxi emperor himself gave the plate with the name "Yuanmingyuan" in the park.

Emperor Yongzheng explain the meaning of "Yuanmingyuan" at Yuanmingyuan Imperial Record says that the emperor should strengthen self-cultivation of perfect character and reach the ultimate goal being smart. He must show wisdom, goodness and kindness in the governance of the country. Yuanmingyuan name is not just a slogan for Emperor Kangxi, but also the future emperor.

Then he took the throne Prince Yinzhen, Yuanmingyuan park scale combine to make the imperial residence and travel. Since 1725, the monarch attended and manage the affairs of the country during the spring, summer and autumn in the Yuanmingyuan.

Parks held a collection of jewelry trinkets, excess culture, antiques, old books and painting. Yuanmingyuan sample of a thousand years of excellence in the art of gardening in China. Artistic accomplishments is a wonderful page in Chinese history, Yuanmingyuan name for "the best of the international community garden."

On October 7, 1860, shortly after the Anglo-French allied forces first entered the park, the commander of the invading army gave orders to rob the place in three days. Garden treasures were looted and destroyed. On October 18, under the command of the British minister, the soldiers began to set up parks on fire, let it burn for three days and three nights. Fire, smoke and ash stretching for miles. What was once the most beautiful gardens nothing impressive.

Anger burning Yuanmingyuan by Anglo-French allied confidence anger all fairness to defend the world. Freat French writer Victor Hugo once wrote a letter condemned the heinous crimes of the occupiers sudden Be Commander Grant British expedition had to admit what they've done enough unciviliaed.

After the Qing emperor to take it off, unscrupulous warlords take many stones to use for sale. Some poor people moved into the park to find the treasure, cutting firewood, raise cattle and grow crops. The garden was dismantled and destroyed almost every day. Basket full of waste materials from the garden along with the liquid. Looting of wood, stone and earth lasted for decades. When New China was founded in 1949, the Yuanmingyuan desert, only some barren hills, lakes, rivers and western architectural remains still among some agricultural land.