Western style building

Western style building

The whole landscape of xiyanglou covers an area of 80 mu, accounting for about 1.5% of the total area of Yuanmingyuan. It is located in the northeast corner. It is the first European style garden imitated and built in China. Its location is not very important. From west to East, it successively includes xiqiqu, huanghuazhen, yangquelong, wuzhuting, fangwai, Haiyantang, shuishuilou, Yuanying temple, Dashui, guanshui, Xianfa mountain, Fanghe, Xianfa painting, etc, Most of the building materials are white marble, the stone surface is exquisitely carved, and the roof is covered with glazed tiles, covering an area of about seven hectares. Because of the unique fragmentary beauty of Western architecture, it became the symbol of Yuanmingyuan.

In 1860, Yuanmingyuan was burned. From 1977 to 1992, the ruins of the Western tower were cleaned up, the base of the temple was cleared, the fountain pool was renovated, the stone pieces on the wall of the column were repositioned, and the labyrinth "yellow flower array" was restored.

Brief introduction to the West Building

Located in the northern boundary of Changchun Garden, xiyanglou is the first European style garden imitated in China. It is composed of more than ten Western-style buildings and courtyards, such as xiqiqu, huanghuazhen, yangquelong, fangwai, Haiyantang, yuanyingguan, Dashuifa, guanshuifa, Xianfa mountain, and Xianfa painting. The building materials are mostly white marble, the stone surface is exquisitely carved, and the roof is covered with glazed tiles, covering an area of about 7 hectares.

[name]: xiyanglou

[category]: cultural sites

The Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty

[cultural relic origin]: it was originally a building of Yuanmingyuan

[architectural style]: Baroque architecture

Frozen history

The original old photo of the Western Tower of Yuanmingyuan, which was taken in 1875, appeared in Huachen, Beijing, in the spring of 2008. This is the first original photo of Yuanmingyuan in China.

The old photo blog "frozen history, instant eternity" published these rare old photos.

These three photos are large-scale, printed by the glass wet plate of that year, showing the panoramic view, the main building and the north side of the building. Located in the western part of Yuanmingyuan West Building scenic area, "harmony and wonder" is the earliest western building built in West Building scenic area. It is also one of the three large fountains in West building. It is composed of main building, fountains in front and behind of main building and water supply building in the North. "Harmonious and interesting" was named by Emperor Qianlong. It means "harmonious and interesting". It is the most complete architectural complex in Yuanmingyuan West Building scenic area after it was burned down by British and French forces in 1860. In 1900, the Allied forces of the eight countries invaded Beijing, and "harmony and wonder" was destroyed. In the following decades, they were robbed by warlords and bandits. By the 1970s, the main building of "harmony and wonder" had completely disappeared.

Since no photos have been found before the destruction of the Old Summer Palace, this group of photos is particularly precious. Three photos were taken by British photographer Thomas child (1841-1898). The quality of his photographic works has reached a very high level in terms of composition, light application and photo printing. What's more precious is that chald's photos usually have his own signature, indicating the time and place. Some photos have his seal on the back, and the seal has a handwritten number, indicating the serial number of the series of photos in Beijing, which is unique among the early photographers.

The beginning of the Western Pavilion

The European garden here was built by Giuseppe Castiglione (1688-1766), a western missionary, and r Michel.Benoist 1715-1774) designed and supervised by Chinese craftsmen. Planning began in 1747 (the 12th year of Qianlong's reign). In the autumn of 1751 (the 16th year of Qianlong's reign), the first western water method (fountain) project was built. From 1756 to 1759 (the 21st to 24th year of Qianlong's reign), the Eastern garden was basically built. In 1783 (the 48th year of Qianlong's reign), the Yuanying temple was finally built.

Xiyanglou scenic spot

The main scenic spots of xiyanglou include Xiexi, Xianfa bridge, shuishuilou, yangquelong, huanghuazhen (wanhuazhen), fangwai, wuzhuting, Haiyantang, Xianfa mountain, Yuanying temple, Fanghe and Aksu ten sceneries. Pine and cypress trees and hedges pruning, fountain, wall, road paving and copper sculpture stone carving are mostly Western characteristics. At the same time, combined with China's brick carving, glass ornaments and stone folding technology, it reflects the nationalization of European architecture. In 1860, Xianfeng was destroyed by the Allied forces of Britain and France.

Address: Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park, 28 Qinghua West Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Longitude: 116.30913092412

Latitude: 40.012393647559

Ticket information: market price: 15.0 yuan

Chinese PinYin : Xi Yang Lou