As an outstanding representative of the imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty in China, the Old Summer Palace’s historical relics carry rich cultural, artistic and historical values, and at the same time bear witness to the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of the Chinese nation. The following is a detailed interpretation of the historical relics of the Old Summer Palace:
First, the historical evolution of the Old Summer Palace
Construction and expansion
The Old Summer Palace was originally a garden given by Emperor Kangxi to his fourth son, Yin 禛 (later Emperor Yongzheng), in the late years of his reign.
After Emperor Yongzheng ascended the throne, he carried out a large-scale expansion of the Old Summer Palace, turning it into a royal garden integrating government affairs, residence and entertainment.
During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, the Old Summer Palace was further expanded, with the addition of the Changchun Garden and the Qichun Garden, thus forming the layout of the Three Gardens of the Old Summer Palace.
Peak period:
The Old Summer Palace reached its peak during the Qianlong period. The buildings within the garden were magnificent and the landscapes were rich and diverse, earning it the title of “The Garden of Gardens”.
The park houses a large number of cultural relics and treasures, including calligraphy and paintings, porcelain, jade wares, gold and silver wares, ฯลฯ. It was one of the largest museums in the world at that time.
Destruction and decline
In 1860, during the Second Opium War, the Anglo-French Allied Forces invaded Beijing and carried out frenzied looting and burning of the Old Summer Palace.
In 1900, the Eight-Nation Alliance once again occupied Beijing, and the Old Summer Palace was further damaged and plundered.
Since then, the Old Summer Palace has gradually fallen into ruins, and its ruins have become a witness to the humiliating history of the Chinese nation.
Second, the value of the historical relics of the Old Summer Palace
Cultural value
The ruins of the Old Summer Palace are a treasure of ancient Chinese imperial garden art. Its architectural style, garden layout, landscape design and other aspects all reflect the essence of ancient Chinese culture.
The cultural relics and treasures collected in the Old Summer Palace are also important carriers of ancient Chinese culture and art, and they are of great value for the study of ancient Chinese culture, art, history and other aspects.
Historical value:
The ruins of the Old Summer Palace have witnessed the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of the Chinese nation and are important physical materials for the study of modern Chinese history.
Through the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, we can have a more intuitive understanding of the aggression and plundering of China by the Anglo-French Allied Forces and the Eight-Nation Alliance, as well as the heroic resistance of the Chinese people in the fight against aggression.
Educational value
The ruins of the Old Summer Palace are an important base for patriotic education. By visiting the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, people can have a deeper understanding of the truth that backwardness leads to being beaten, and it can inspire people’s patriotic enthusiasm and national pride.
The ruins of the Old Summer Palace are also important venues for historical and cultural education. By understanding the historical and cultural background of the Old Summer Palace, people can have a more comprehensive understanding of the profoundness and vastness of ancient Chinese culture.
Third, the protection and utilization of historical relics of the Old Summer Palace
Protection status quo:
In recent years, the Chinese government has carried out large-scale protection and restoration work on the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, enabling the ruins of the Old Summer Palace to be well preserved.
Meanwhile, the government has also strengthened the management and supervision of the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, preventing further damage and plundering of the ruins.
Utilization method:
The ruins of the Old Summer Palace have now become an important tourist attraction, drawing a large number of domestic and foreign tourists to visit and tour.
In addition, the ruins of the Old Summer Palace have been used to host various cultural activities and exhibitions, such as the Old Summer Palace Cultural Festival and the Photography Exhibition of the Ruins of the Old Summer Palace, further promoting the culture and history of the Chinese nation.
