Why is the Summer Palace famous?
The Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China and also in the World. The Chinese call it Yihe Yuan, Garden of Restful Peace. Constructed around the Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, Summer Palace is a vast complex of gardens, palaces, lakes, and hills.
Where are the 12 bronze heads?
The Twelve Old Summer Palace bronze heads are a collection of bronze fountainheads in the shape of the Chinese zodiac animals that was part of a water clock fountain in front of the Haiyantang (Chinese: 海晏堂; pinyin: Hǎiyàntáng) building of the Xiyang Lou (Western style mansions) area of the Old Summer Palace in Beijing …
What was the auction of Chinese zodiac bronze heads about?
It stated that the auction of the bronzes “goes against the spirit of relevant international conventions and the international common understanding that cultural relics should be returned to their country of origin.”
What animal is the head of the zodiacs?
Created in 2010, the zodiac heads (a Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig) are inspired by those which once comprised a water clock-fountain at the Yuanming Yuan, which is a complex of palaces and gardens in Beijing that were constructed by the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing …
How much does it cost to visit the Summer Palace?
Summer Palace has two types of entrance tickets that you can get: a basic Entrance Ticket for 30 Yuan ($4 USD) or an all-inclusive Through Ticket for 60 Yuan ($8 USD).
What is the purpose of the Summer Palace?
The Summer Palace, originally named Qingyi Yuan, or the Garden of Clear Ripples, was an imperial garden constructed in 1750 by Emperor Qianlong in a bid to celebrate his mother’s birthday. During the past few centuries, emperors and empresses spent their leisure time there, which is of great aesthetic value today.
Does Zodiac mean circle of animals?
Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads draws inspiration from sculptures that once adorned the fountain clock at Yuanming Yuan, an imperial retreat outside Beijing, representing the signs of the zodiac (snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog, pig, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, and dragon).
Where is the circle of animals?
New York City
Ai Weiwei – Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads. launched in New York City at the historic Pulitzer Fountain at Grand Army Plaza in May 2011.
Is the Summer Palace part of the Forbidden City?
Some sources describe it as the largest palace in the world still in existence, but other Chinese imperial residences far exceed it in size, namely the 6.1 km2 (610 ha) Zhongnanhai which lies just west of the Forbidden City, the 2.9 km2 (290 ha) Summer Palace in Haidian District, Beijing, and the 5.6 km2 (560 ha) …
Who destroyed the Summer Palace?
British
During the Second Opium War, British and French troops invaded Beijing, ransacked the Old Summer Palace, and looted its treasures, which are now displayed in museums around the world. After the looting, they set fire to the entire palace. It was said that the fire lasted for 3 days and nights.
What is the circle of animals made of?
Bronze
Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads/Media
Where was the Zodiac Fountain in the Old Summer Palace?
The Haiyantang (Chinese: 海晏堂; pinyin: Hǎiyàntáng) was an area in the Xiyang Lou (Western style mansions) of the Old Summer Palace, which included the famous Zodiac Fountain – water clock fountain consisting of 12 bronze Chinese zodiac statues.
Where are the bronze heads of the Old Summer Palace?
The Twelve Old Summer Palace bronze heads are a collection of bronze fountainheads in the shape of the Chinese zodiac animals that was part of a water clock fountain in front of the Haiyantang ( Chinese: 海晏堂; pinyin: Hǎiyàntáng) building of the Xiyang Lou (Western style mansions) area of the Old Summer Palace in Beijing.
How many animals are there in the Old Summer Palace?
The 12 animals represented the 24 hours of each day. Each bronze statue took turns spraying water from its mouth every 2 hours. In 1860, the British and French Allied forces looted the Old Summer Palace and took the 12 zodiac bronze statues from the Old Summer Palace overseas. Now, seven bronze animal statues have come back to China.
When was the Old Summer Palace in Beijing built?
Country homes were built here beginning in the 13th-century, during the rule of the Yuan dynasty, then in the 16th-century Li Wei of the Ming Dynasty built the Qinghua Yuan estate at the site.