preface
As a trace of the times, cultural relics represent the development of an era. Therefore, cultural relics are generally of great value. Generally speaking, the cultural relics that can be passed down to future generations are basically handed down from ancient tombs or from generation to generation. Therefore, how to find the lost cultural relics is undoubtedly an arduous task for cultural relics workers.
After hundreds of years of unrest, most cultural relics will be destroyed or left abroad because of war. The Old Summer Palace is a good example. As the most prestigious imperial garden of the Qing Dynasty, the fame of the Yuanmingyuan can be described as resounding at home and abroad. Based on the remaining relics of today, we can vaguely see the grandeur of that year.
After the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, they were not accustomed to the weather in Beijing, and looking at the green tiles of the Zhu Wall all day long also made the emperors of the Qing Dynasty feel very depressed. Therefore, during the Kangxi Dynasty, the Yuanmingyuan began to be built. As the emperor's palace, the location of the Yuanmingyuan is also very unique. The numerous rivers and lakes near the Yuanmingyuan, located on the western outskirts of Beijing, also provide a hint of coolness for hot Beijing.
As an imperial garden, the Yuanmingyuan was built in the last year of the Kangxi Dynasty, and subsequently, Kangxi gave this garden to Yongzheng. It is reported that Yuanming is also the name inscribed by Kangxi himself. At first, the size of the Yuanmingyuan was not very large, and because it could not meet the needs of the emperor, the Yuanmingyuan began to expand in the second year of Yongzheng. It is worth mentioning that from the perspective of the pattern, the Yuanmingyuan is almost a shrunken Forbidden City. The expansion also added a large number of new buildings and garden landscapes.
By this time, the final form of the Yuanmingyuan was complete. Many palaces were beautifully built by the most outstanding craftsmen in the society at that time, and every brick and tile showed the royal dignity and luxury. Compared with the Forbidden City, the Yuanmingyuan is much smaller, but in many places, it is also more exquisite.
Thanks to this expansion of Fu, until the middle of the Qing Dynasty, the Yuanmingyuan already had more than 600 large and small palaces. It is the first garden in history. The biggest feature of the Yuanmingyuan is the design of various gardens across the country. It also moved the Jiangnan garden to the north, realizing a cross-regional miracle. It can even be called a synthesis of various gardens throughout the ages.
And the Yuanmingyuan is not only gorgeous on the outside, the most attractive thing is its interior. It is reported that every treasure placed in the Yuanmingyuan is a priceless treasure. Maybe this is the tree trick, the extremely gorgeous Yuanmingyuan was built 200 years ago, it was looted by robbers. Not only did they loot the treasures, but they also burned the entire palace to the ground.
In the mid-19th century, due to poverty and weakness, the Qing Dynasty became the target of the great powers. Until the evening of October 6, 1860, the British and French troops rushed into the Yuanmingyuan and looted the treasures. Due to the sheer number, the gang plundered for 2 days before they fled.
It is reported that the internal stolen goods are unevenly divided, and many people have also made a big fight. Seeing such a gorgeous garden for the first time, these coalition troops, like earth turtles, did not know where to start. Later, everything that could be taken away was packed up, and what could not be taken away was destroyed on the spot. By the day of departure, the entire gorgeous Yuanmingyuan had been completely looted. Unexpectedly, on the 11th, the United Kingdom swept in again.
And after this looting, a fire burned the entire garden clean. It is reported that the fire lasted for 3 days before it was completely extinguished. Some of the buildings that have not yet burned out have been preserved, and they have become the ruins of the Yuanmingyuan today.
It was not until after the founding of the People's Republic of China that the repair work of the Old Summer Palace officially began. Fortunately, although most of the buildings were destroyed, the basic pattern is still there, and therefore, after greening, you can vaguely see the grandeur of the royal garden at that time. Due to the excessive restoration of the Yuanmingyuan, the restoration work of the Yuanmingyuan was still in progress until the 1980s. To this day, the ruins of the Old Summer Palace are also listed as attractions, and you can visit them after purchasing tickets.
However, because the destruction was so complete, it is now almost impossible to complete the restoration of it. And the treasured cultural relics cannot be reproduced at all. Therefore, the Yuanmingyuan can only become a beautiful scenery in people's imagination. In 1996, the state conducted three inspections of the ruins of the Yuanmingyuan. 50,000 cultural relics have been found in it. Some gilded bronze statues have also become national treasures, and are now properly treasured in the National Museum.
The main building was burned to the ground and looted twice, how did these artifacts survive? Later, experts appeared to explain: due to the huge area, some special places have been preserved, and these cultural relics have been spared.
epilogue
The state-owned Great Wall is still encouraged, and the family's bright sword is not damaged.
Although nearly 50,000 artifacts were later found, many of them were in ruins. After careful repair by experts, it is possible to restore the past form. Even so, there are countless treasures that have been plundered overseas by the Anglo-French coalition, which is our greatest loss. In addition, several broken pillars standing at the site of the Yuanmingyuan are also crying about their original experiences, reminding people not to forget the national shame at any time.
Citations:
"Passing the Zhang Shuai Mansion (Old Works)"