Imperial Gardens - Yuanmingyuan/Old Summer Palace (Beijing)

 palace, park, garden, ruins, interesting place

Sometimes called the Old Summer Palace - sits isolated from the main Summer Palace. Once was a collection of princely palaces and gardens combined into one main mass. "Garden of Gardens" with its combination of different styles, both Chinese and western. In the northeast corner on 75-acres were European-style buildings{Xi Yang Lou} designed and constructed by Jesuits at court - likened to Versailles. Commissioned by the Qing Qianlong emperor in the mid-18th century. In ruins. Has a small museum with displays images and models depicting its scale and magnificence. Pleasant expanse of lakes, pavilions. gardens, and walks. Under some restoration. Most notable was a Zodic water clock spouting water from 12 bronze heads.