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| Meiguoxing.com, Your Ultimate Guide to Beijing, China |
Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace, Imperial Summer Palace) 圆明园
Address: 28 Qinghua Xi Lu, Haidian District, Beijing
Chinese Address: 北京市海淀区清华西路28号
Transportation: Subway Line 4 at Yuanmingyuan
Open Hours: 7am-6:30pm daily
Phone:010-6262-8501
Website: www.yuanmingyuan.cn
The Yuan Ming Yuan (Garden of Perfect Brightness, also known as yuanmingyuan remains park)
now sits isolated from the main Summer Palace, but was a grand collection of palaces by the Qing
Qianlong emperor in the mid-18th century. He commissioned Jesuits at his court to design and
construct a set of European-style buildings in one corner, which they likened to Versailles.
Unfortunately, Yungmingyuan was destroyed by British and French troops during the Second
Opium War in 1860 and again by eight allied foreign forces in 1900.
Perhaps the most remarkable structure in yuanmingyuan was a zodiac water clock fountain which
spouted from 12 bronze heads, Four of which (an ox, a monkey, a tiger and a pig) are now
housed in the impressive Poly Art Museum at the avant-garde building new poly plaza. (see below
for the status of the remaining animal sculptures.)
The palace is now made up of three idyllic parks: Yuanmingyuan (Garden of Perfect Brightness)
in the west, Wanchunyuan (Garden of 10,000 Springs, known initially as the Garden of Variegated
Spring, Qichunyuan) in the south, and Changchunyuan (Garden of Everlasting Spring), where the
European ruins of marble palaces can be found, in the east. To the west of ruins there’s a fun
labyrinth (wanhuazhen), a reconstruction of the one that was destroyed. After you explore the
ruins, the gardens are great for picnicking, scrambling over rocks, and rowing on the lake.
Address: 28 Qinghua Xi Lu, Haidian District, Beijing
Chinese Address: 北京市海淀区清华西路28号
Transportation: Subway Line 4 at Yuanmingyuan
Open Hours: 7am-6:30pm daily
Phone:010-6262-8501
Website: www.yuanmingyuan.cn
The Yuan Ming Yuan (Garden of Perfect Brightness, also known as yuanmingyuan remains park)
now sits isolated from the main Summer Palace, but was a grand collection of palaces by the Qing
Qianlong emperor in the mid-18th century. He commissioned Jesuits at his court to design and
construct a set of European-style buildings in one corner, which they likened to Versailles.
Unfortunately, Yungmingyuan was destroyed by British and French troops during the Second
Opium War in 1860 and again by eight allied foreign forces in 1900.
Perhaps the most remarkable structure in yuanmingyuan was a zodiac water clock fountain which
spouted from 12 bronze heads, Four of which (an ox, a monkey, a tiger and a pig) are now
housed in the impressive Poly Art Museum at the avant-garde building new poly plaza. (see below
for the status of the remaining animal sculptures.)
The palace is now made up of three idyllic parks: Yuanmingyuan (Garden of Perfect Brightness)
in the west, Wanchunyuan (Garden of 10,000 Springs, known initially as the Garden of Variegated
Spring, Qichunyuan) in the south, and Changchunyuan (Garden of Everlasting Spring), where the
European ruins of marble palaces can be found, in the east. To the west of ruins there’s a fun
labyrinth (wanhuazhen), a reconstruction of the one that was destroyed. After you explore the
ruins, the gardens are great for picnicking, scrambling over rocks, and rowing on the lake.
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A list of the whereabouts of the 12 animal statues (as of March 1, 2009)
February 2009.
Chinese bidder, Cai mingchao (Chinese: 蔡铭超), won't pay for YSL auction statues
February 2009.
Chinese bidder, Cai mingchao, won't pay for YSL auction statues
- Rat: was in Yves Saint Laurent's collection.
February 2009.
Chinese bidder, Cai mingchao (Chinese: 蔡铭超), won't pay for YSL auction statues
- Ox: bought by the China Poly Group in 2000 for $954,000, now at the Poly Art Museum in
Beijing.
- Tiger: bought by the China Poly Group in 2000 for $1.99 million, now at the Poly Art
Museum in Beijing.
- Rabbit: was in Yves Saint Laurent's collection.
February 2009.
Chinese bidder, Cai mingchao, won't pay for YSL auction statues
- Dragon: unknown
- Snake: unknown
- Horse: was in a private collection in Taiwan. Purchased by Macao gaming magnate Stanley
Ho in 2007 for $8.84 million and donated to China. Currently at the Capital Museum in
Beijing.
- Sheep: unknown
- Monkey: bought by the China Poly Group in 2000 for $1.05 milllion, now at the Poly Art
Museum in Beijing.
- Rooster: unknown
- Dog: in 2003, a Hong Kong auction house claimed to be selling the dog from the Summer
Palace water clock, but consultants from the Poly Art Museum said the craftsmanship didn't
match the other four the Poly Group has recovered.
- Pig: purchased by Stanley Ho in 2003 (from a NY collector) and donated to China.
Currently at the Poly Art Museum in Beijing.
|
Italian Jesuit painter Giuseppe Castiglione(1688-1766),
known also by his Chinese name, Lang Shining (郎世宁)
was commissioned by Emperor Qianlong in 1747 to
design and build European-style fountains and palaces
(western mansions, xiyanglou) in the northeast section
of yuanminyuan. Jean-Denis Attiret (1702-68) and
Ignatius Sichelbarth (1708-80) were charged with the
plans and elevations for the palace buildings, while
French scientist Michel Benoist (1715-74, Chinese
name: 蔣友仁) supervised construction of the several
fountains. Work started at the west end with an
ensemble consisting of the Palace of the Delights of
Harmony (Xieqiqu, Chinese: 谐奇趣) on the north
flanked by a Water Storage Hall(Xushuilou) on the west
and and an Aviary(Yangquelong, Chinese: 养雀笼) on
the east (ca.1747-51). This suite has been compared to
the now lost Trianon de Porcelaine of Versailles (ca.
1670). The largest portion of the project was a strip
extending west to east about 770m by 60m with
Belvedere (Fangwaiguan， Chinese: 方外观) and Calm
Sea Hall (Haiyantang, Chinese: 海晏堂). Both were
elevated structures complemented by fountains. Nude
statues commonly found in European gardens were not
allowed in Qianlong's European-style garden. Instead,
The Hall of Calm Sea has a zodiac fountain (clepsydra)
with water spouts in the form of twelve bronze animal
heads, one for each two-hour division of the day (or
zodiac) as a water clock. The fountain did not long
function. Pumps designed by Benoist broke down. In
later years palace eunuchs were required to carry
buckets of water to fill the tanks prior to imperial visits.
To the east the Great Fountain (DA Shuifa， Chinese：
大水法) was complemented by a viewing area opposite
for the imperial throne (Guan Shuifa)
known also by his Chinese name, Lang Shining (郎世宁)
was commissioned by Emperor Qianlong in 1747 to
design and build European-style fountains and palaces
(western mansions, xiyanglou) in the northeast section
of yuanminyuan. Jean-Denis Attiret (1702-68) and
Ignatius Sichelbarth (1708-80) were charged with the
plans and elevations for the palace buildings, while
French scientist Michel Benoist (1715-74, Chinese
name: 蔣友仁) supervised construction of the several
fountains. Work started at the west end with an
ensemble consisting of the Palace of the Delights of
Harmony (Xieqiqu, Chinese: 谐奇趣) on the north
flanked by a Water Storage Hall(Xushuilou) on the west
and and an Aviary(Yangquelong, Chinese: 养雀笼) on
the east (ca.1747-51). This suite has been compared to
the now lost Trianon de Porcelaine of Versailles (ca.
1670). The largest portion of the project was a strip
extending west to east about 770m by 60m with
Belvedere (Fangwaiguan， Chinese: 方外观) and Calm
Sea Hall (Haiyantang, Chinese: 海晏堂). Both were
elevated structures complemented by fountains. Nude
statues commonly found in European gardens were not
allowed in Qianlong's European-style garden. Instead,
The Hall of Calm Sea has a zodiac fountain (clepsydra)
with water spouts in the form of twelve bronze animal
heads, one for each two-hour division of the day (or
zodiac) as a water clock. The fountain did not long
function. Pumps designed by Benoist broke down. In
later years palace eunuchs were required to carry
buckets of water to fill the tanks prior to imperial visits.
To the east the Great Fountain (DA Shuifa， Chinese：
大水法) was complemented by a viewing area opposite
for the imperial throne (Guan Shuifa)
圆明园遗址公园
圆明园位于北京西北郊，具有“万园之园”之称，由长春园、万春园(绮春园)、圆明园三园组成。圆明园是我国园林艺术杰作，布局
和谐，有多组中国的传统式木结构和西洋式石结构建筑。始建于清康熙四十八年（1709年），后不断修整。乾隆九年（公元1744
年）扩建，前后历时150年建成，由圆明、长春、绮春三园组成，占地350公顷。园内集东西方风格的名胜有40景，大型建筑100
余处，集我国古代造林艺术的精华，在世界园林建筑方面有重要地位。
圆明园中有多处景点直接模仿外地的名园胜景，如杭州西湖十景，不仅模仿建筑，连名字也照搬过来。圆明园中还建有西式园林景
区。最有名的“观水法”，是一座西洋喷泉，还有万花阵迷宫以及西洋楼区，都具有意大利文艺复兴时期的风格。在湖水中还有一个
威尼斯城模型，皇帝坐在岸边山上便可欣赏万里之外的“水城风光 ”。
清帝为了追求多方面的乐趣，在长春园北界还引进了一区欧式园林建筑，俗称"西洋楼"，由谐奇趣、线法桥、万花阵、养雀笼、方
外观、海晏堂、远瀛观、大水法、观水法、线法山和线法墙等十余个建筑和庭园组成。于乾隆十二年（1747年）开始筹划，至二
十四年（1759年）基本建成。由西方传教土郎世宁、蒋友仁、王致诚等设计指导，中国匠师建造。建筑形式是欧洲文艺复兴后期"
巴洛克"风格，造园形式为"勒诺特"风格。但在造园和建筑装饰方面也吸取了我国不少传统手法。
在方外观之东，由海晏堂正楼和后工字蓄水楼组成，是最大的一处欧式园林景观。建于 1759年（乾隆二十四年）。海晏堂正楼朝
西，上下各十一间，楼门左右有叠落式喷水槽，阶下为一大型喷水池，池左右呈"八"字形排列着我国十二生肖人身兽头铜像。每昼
夜十二个时辰，由十二生肖依次轮流喷水，俗称"水力钟"。
海晏堂后楼为工字形平台楼，楼南楼北也各有小型喷泉池。此楼即是附近各喷泉群的供水楼。楼东西两头为提水用的水车房，中段
平台楼下边是海墁高台，台上砌蓄水池，俗称锡海，一次可蓄水160余立方米。初建时提水机械是蒋友仁设计的龙凤水车，用人
力"蹬攀"；三四年后就改安辘轳，用大罐打水上楼。
圆明园还是当时中国收藏珍宝、文物和图书的皇家博物馆，堪称中国传统文化精品的宝库。不幸的是，1860年英法联军和1900年
八国联军两次洗劫圆明园，园中的建筑被焚毁，文物被劫掠，这一被誉为人类奇迹的艺术杰作变成了一片废墟，只剩断垣残壁，供
人凭吊。
圆明园必赏景观
目前，遗址开放区内的长春园、福海景区基本再现了盛时园林风貌。西洋楼景区因多有残雕石柱遗存，已成为遗址公园的形象代
表。
目前的主要景观有：
九州景区：位于圆明园西部，是皇帝处理朝政和园居之所，集圆明园建筑、艺术、收藏之大成，其中，皇帝和嫔妃们居住的最
大的人工岛屿--九州清晏最为著名。
大水法：位于远瀛观高台之南，为石龛式，内有一座七级水盘，顶端有一大型狮子头，水盘喷水可以形成七层水帘。
观水法：大水法对面就是观水法，观水法坐南朝北，是清朝皇帝观赏大水法喷泉的地方。观水法正中石台上设宝座，其后是由
五件石雕并列而成的大型石屏风
蓬岛瑶台遗址：蓬岛瑶台一景，正是仿照李思训(唐代著名画家、651-716年)的“一池三山”画意建造的。园盛时，福海端午龙
舟竞渡，皇帝率王公大臣在西岸“望瀛洲”亭观阅，皇太后及后妃内眷则在蓬岛瑶台欣赏。
景区提示
电 话：010-62551488
门 票：10元（不含园中园）（大水法遗址单项收费15元），65周岁及以上老年人凭本人老年优待证游览公园免收门票费（不
含园中园，大型活动期间除外），残疾人免收门票。
地 址：北京市海淀区清华西路28号
交通路线：东门：公交365、432、498、656、664、717、743、814、982、963、特4、运通105、运通205路；南门：公交
319、320、331、432、438、498、628、690、697、696、801、826、特6路
圆明园位于北京西北郊，具有“万园之园”之称，由长春园、万春园(绮春园)、圆明园三园组成。圆明园是我国园林艺术杰作，布局
和谐，有多组中国的传统式木结构和西洋式石结构建筑。始建于清康熙四十八年（1709年），后不断修整。乾隆九年（公元1744
年）扩建，前后历时150年建成，由圆明、长春、绮春三园组成，占地350公顷。园内集东西方风格的名胜有40景，大型建筑100
余处，集我国古代造林艺术的精华，在世界园林建筑方面有重要地位。
圆明园中有多处景点直接模仿外地的名园胜景，如杭州西湖十景，不仅模仿建筑，连名字也照搬过来。圆明园中还建有西式园林景
区。最有名的“观水法”，是一座西洋喷泉，还有万花阵迷宫以及西洋楼区，都具有意大利文艺复兴时期的风格。在湖水中还有一个
威尼斯城模型，皇帝坐在岸边山上便可欣赏万里之外的“水城风光 ”。
清帝为了追求多方面的乐趣，在长春园北界还引进了一区欧式园林建筑，俗称"西洋楼"，由谐奇趣、线法桥、万花阵、养雀笼、方
外观、海晏堂、远瀛观、大水法、观水法、线法山和线法墙等十余个建筑和庭园组成。于乾隆十二年（1747年）开始筹划，至二
十四年（1759年）基本建成。由西方传教土郎世宁、蒋友仁、王致诚等设计指导，中国匠师建造。建筑形式是欧洲文艺复兴后期"
巴洛克"风格，造园形式为"勒诺特"风格。但在造园和建筑装饰方面也吸取了我国不少传统手法。
在方外观之东，由海晏堂正楼和后工字蓄水楼组成，是最大的一处欧式园林景观。建于 1759年（乾隆二十四年）。海晏堂正楼朝
西，上下各十一间，楼门左右有叠落式喷水槽，阶下为一大型喷水池，池左右呈"八"字形排列着我国十二生肖人身兽头铜像。每昼
夜十二个时辰，由十二生肖依次轮流喷水，俗称"水力钟"。
海晏堂后楼为工字形平台楼，楼南楼北也各有小型喷泉池。此楼即是附近各喷泉群的供水楼。楼东西两头为提水用的水车房，中段
平台楼下边是海墁高台，台上砌蓄水池，俗称锡海，一次可蓄水160余立方米。初建时提水机械是蒋友仁设计的龙凤水车，用人
力"蹬攀"；三四年后就改安辘轳，用大罐打水上楼。
圆明园还是当时中国收藏珍宝、文物和图书的皇家博物馆，堪称中国传统文化精品的宝库。不幸的是，1860年英法联军和1900年
八国联军两次洗劫圆明园，园中的建筑被焚毁，文物被劫掠，这一被誉为人类奇迹的艺术杰作变成了一片废墟，只剩断垣残壁，供
人凭吊。
圆明园必赏景观
目前，遗址开放区内的长春园、福海景区基本再现了盛时园林风貌。西洋楼景区因多有残雕石柱遗存，已成为遗址公园的形象代
表。
目前的主要景观有：
九州景区：位于圆明园西部，是皇帝处理朝政和园居之所，集圆明园建筑、艺术、收藏之大成，其中，皇帝和嫔妃们居住的最
大的人工岛屿--九州清晏最为著名。
大水法：位于远瀛观高台之南，为石龛式，内有一座七级水盘，顶端有一大型狮子头，水盘喷水可以形成七层水帘。
观水法：大水法对面就是观水法，观水法坐南朝北，是清朝皇帝观赏大水法喷泉的地方。观水法正中石台上设宝座，其后是由
五件石雕并列而成的大型石屏风
蓬岛瑶台遗址：蓬岛瑶台一景，正是仿照李思训(唐代著名画家、651-716年)的“一池三山”画意建造的。园盛时，福海端午龙
舟竞渡，皇帝率王公大臣在西岸“望瀛洲”亭观阅，皇太后及后妃内眷则在蓬岛瑶台欣赏。
景区提示
电 话：010-62551488
门 票：10元（不含园中园）（大水法遗址单项收费15元），65周岁及以上老年人凭本人老年优待证游览公园免收门票费（不
含园中园，大型活动期间除外），残疾人免收门票。
地 址：北京市海淀区清华西路28号
交通路线：东门：公交365、432、498、656、664、717、743、814、982、963、特4、运通105、运通205路；南门：公交
319、320、331、432、438、498、628、690、697、696、801、826、特6路
Haiyantang ximian (West facade of Hall of Calm Seas) (1786)
圆明园海晏堂西面
圆明园海晏堂西面
Yangquelong ximian, west façade of Aviary (1786)
圆明园 养雀笼
圆明园 养雀笼
A Suite of Twenty Copper Etchings of the Yuan Ming Yuan Summer Palaces - These prints are the only remaining
documents of the European Pavilions of Yuanmingyuan, built by the Qianlong emperor in Beijing between 1747 and 1783.
documents of the European Pavilions of Yuanmingyuan, built by the Qianlong emperor in Beijing between 1747 and 1783.
Haiyantang dongmian (East facade of Hall of Calm Seas)
圆明园海晏堂东面
圆明园海晏堂东面
Haiyantang beimian (North facade of Hall of Calm Seas)
圆明园海晏堂北面
圆明园海晏堂北面
Haiyantang nanmian (South facade of Hall of Calm Seas)
圆明园海晏堂南面
圆明园海晏堂南面
Xieqiqu beimian， North facade of Palace of the Delights
圆明园 谐奇趣
圆明园 谐奇趣
Xushuilou dongmian, East facade of Water Reservoir
圆明园 蓄水楼
圆明园 蓄水楼
Dashuifa nanmian, Great Fountain
圆明园 大水法
圆明园 大水法
Fangwaiguan Zhengmian, Main facade of Belvedere
圆明园 方外观
圆明园 方外观
Yuanyingguan zhengmina, Main facade of observatory of
distant waters 圆明园 远瀛观
distant waters 圆明园 远瀛观
Wanhuazhen Huayuan, The Maze
圆明园 万花阵 (迷宫)
圆明园 万花阵 (迷宫)
Guanshuifa Zhengmian, View upon the Great Waters
圆明园 观水法
圆明园 观水法
The sack of the summer palace, a letter “To Captain Butler” by French poet, dramatist and novelist Victor Hugo (1802
-1885 (Francais, 中文, English)
Hugo, Victor. "The sack of the summer palace," UNESCO Courier. November 1985.
-1885 (Francais, 中文, English)
Hugo, Victor. "The sack of the summer palace," UNESCO Courier. November 1985.
Location Map of The Old Summer Place (Yuang Ming Yuan) , Beijing