One Woman's Summer Palace

Yiheyuan (Garden of Health and Peace) is a unique garden of unparalleled beauty, a strong scent of rouge and a dream of wonderland, also known as the Summer Palace represents the peak of Chinese garden design in feudal society. Cixi, who humiliated the nation and forfeited its sovereignty, was destined to become a controversial historical figure in later ages. During her 48-year reign, she spent most of her time in the Summer Palace. Hence, the center of power of the Qing Dynasty shifted from the Forbidden City westward to the Summer Palace, and remained there for quite a long time.