Old Summer Palace
August 6th, 2007 | 
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That was what I thought when we visited the Old Summer Palace in Beijing near Beida University. This attraction is not usually famous spot for tourists but it serves a very sound reminder of the humiliating past of China.
It was originally the Imperial Garden that was built by the Emperor Kangxi in the early 1700′s for his son. It was greatly expanded during 1725 by Emperor Yongzheng, adding up ponds, lakes, streams to compliment the gardens.
The Imperial Gardens were made up of three gardens: the Garden of Perfect Brightness proper, the Garden of Eternal Spring (Simplified Chinese: 长春å›; Traditional Chinese: 長春園; Pinyin: ChángchÅ«n Yuán), and the Elegant Spring Garden (Simplified Chinese: 绮春å›; Traditional Chinese: 綺春園; Pinyin: QÇchÅ«n Yuán); together they covered an area of 3.5 km² (865 acres). They were almost 5 times the size of the Forbidden City, and 8 times the size of the Vatican City. They had hundreds of halls, pavilions, temples, galleries, gardens, lakes, etc.From: Wikipedia
There were European styled Palaces built inside with thousands of national treasures once a sight to behold.
Sadly, this astounding beauty was destroyed during the Second Opium War when troops of the Great Britain and France launch to full force to destroy where it would hurt China the most. It took almost 3500 soldiers to destroy this in just three days. They looted the place and let it to rut. Sad sad….This would have been the grandest sight that China can boast around the world.
The labyrinth was one of my favorite spots in the garden because it made me think that I was in another foreign land. Not that I didn’t appreciate China, I just love getting lost in a big maze.
No other ordinary Chinese can go inside the Imperial Garden before like that of the Forbidden City. China can actually try to rebuilt it but the Empress before wanted it to be that way to remind the nation as “this was the reward for perfidy and cruelty”.
It was sad seeing this place though it became my favorite spot. A cultural heritage that was once a spectacular garden turned into ruins by war. I left with a heavy heart…=(
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This was our LAST stop. To be honest – sayang sha – BUT parang nawala kasi yung pagka Chinese eh..
But nevertheless – ok lang..
My favorite parin is the Forbidden City – and as I always tell my friends – you should start from the back entrance – para yung WOW factor mo – increasing!