(locate) in Haidian District northwest of Beijing, the Summer Palace is 15
kilometers from central Beijing. Being the ( large) and most well-preserved royal park in China, it (great) influences Chinese horticulture(园艺） and landscape with its famous natural views and the works of humankind, also has long been recognized as 'The Museum of Royal Gardens.
(construct) started in 1750 as a luxurious royal garden for royal families to rest and entertain. It later became the main residence of royal members in the end of the Qing Dynasty. However, like most of the gardens of Beijing, it could not elude the rampages of the Anglo-French Allied Force and (destroy) by fire. According to historical documents, with the original name as 'Qingyi Garden' (Garden of Clear Ripples), the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) was renamed after its first reconstruction in 1888. It was also recorded that Empress Dowager Cixi embezzled navy funds to reconstruct it a resort in which to spend the rest of her life. In 1900, the Summer Palace suffered another hit by the Eight-Power Allied Force and the government spent two years ( repair) it. In 1924, it was open to public. It ranked amongst the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1998, as well as one of the first national AAAAA tourist (spot) in China.
