In the heyday of the Qing Dynasty, the Old Summer Palace was like a fairyland on earth. Between the lake and mountains, the palace pavilions are scattered and resplendent. However, this paradise is about to face a catastrophe. British photographers have documented the final glory of the Old Summer Palace, what will these photos be the testimony?
With the decline of the Qing Dynasty, the Western powers gradually extended their tentacles to this ancient land. In 1856, the Second Opium War broke out, and the Anglo-French army attacked Beijing. One of their goals is the fairyland-like Old Summer Palace.
In the Old Summer Palace, the royal members had already heard about the attack of the coalition forces, but they could not believe that this garden, which represented the pinnacle of Chinese civilization, would become a target for foreign enemies. Anxiety and helplessness were intertwined in the hearts of the royal members.
However, before this catastrophe, British photographer John Thomson came to the Old Summer Palace. With his unique photographic skills, he recorded the final glory of the Old Summer Palace. The photographs capture the magnificent scenes of the palaces, pavilions, lakes and mountains in the park, as well as the anxiety and helplessness of the royal members.
These photographs became precious testimonies of the magnificence of the Old Summer Palace and the coming catastrophe. They record the end of an era, the encounter of a civilization. This is the last glory of the treasure of Chinese civilization in the face of foreign aggression.
However, the photos also provoke thought. They evoke memories of history and the cherishing of cultural heritage. The destruction of the Old Summer Palace serves as a warning to protect and cherish their cultural heritage so as not to repeat the mistakes of history.
John Thomson's photographs have become witnesses of history, allowing people to see the last glory of the Old Summer Palace and arousing the awareness of historical reflection and cherishing cultural heritage. These photos will forever be remembered in people's hearts and become the memory of an era.
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