What did the Old Summer Palace look like before its destruction?

A Zhejiang elder invested 30 billion yuan to recreate its former glory with a 1:1 scale replica After a century, a visionary from Zhejiang spent 30 billion RMB to construct the "New Yuanmingyuan" at a 1:1 scale, allowing future generations to step into this "Garden of Gardens" and experience its past splendor—now known as the Hengdian New Yuanmingyuan. Located in Hengdian Town, Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province, the project began preparations in 2008, took four years of meticulous planning, and broke ground in 2012 with a total investment of 30 billion RMB. It precisely replicates the architectural complexes of Beijing's Old Summer Palace at a 1:1 ratio and was completed in 2015, marking the 155th anniversary of the original palace's destruction. The New Yuanmingyuan consists of four main gardens: the New Yuanmingyuan (Spring Garden), New Changchun Garden (Summer Garden), New Qichun Garden (Autumn Garden), and New Changchun Garden (Winter Garden). It also features three nighttime attractions—Happy Night Fuhai, Happy Night Yaochi, and Happy Night Temple Fair—along with three themed exhibition halls: the Royal Animal Park, Royal Ice and Snow Park, and Royal Natural Treasure Exhibition Garden. In total, there are ten scenic areas with 100 sub-gardens. The architectural restoration strictly adheres to a 1:1 scale, showcasing classical, European, Russian, and other diverse styles—truly a feast for the eyes! 📝 Tips: 📍 The New Yuanmingyuan is divided into Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Gardens. Currently, only the Spring and Summer Gardens are open, and they are separate scenic areas—please plan your visit accordingly! 📍 The Summer Garden blends Chinese and Western architecture, featuring recreations of historical relics like the Twelve Zodiac Animal Head Fountains and the Grand Waterworks. It also includes exquisite buildings from eight countries (UK, France, US, Russia, Japan, Germany, Italy, Austria) and exotic streetscapes from 14 nations, including India and Saudi Arabia. 📍 Visitors with ample time can explore the Spring Garden after the Summer Garden. The Spring Garden focuses on traditional Chinese architecture, showcasing the finest landscapes of Jiangnan-style gardens for a unique visual experience. 📍 Location: Hengdian Town, Dongyang City, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province 🕰️ Suggested Duration: ~3 hours ⌚️ Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM