Digital rebirth of Beijing's Old Summer Palace

[@applesparkling1989]

Victor Hugo: "One day two bandits entered the Summer Palace. One plundered, the other burned. Victory can be a thieving woman, or so it seems. The devastation of the Summer Palace was accomplished by the two victors acting jointly. Mixed up in all this is the name of Elgin, which inevitably calls to mind the Parthenon. What was done to the Parthenon was done to the Summer Palace, more thoroughly and better, so that nothing of it should be left. All the treasures of all our cathedrals put together could not equal this formidable and splendid museum of the Orient. It contained not only masterpieces of art, but masses of jewelry. What a great exploit, what a windfall! One of the two victors filled his pockets; when the other saw this he filled his coffers. And back they came to Europe, arm in arm, laughing away. Such is the story of the two bandits. We Europeans are the civilized ones, and for us the Chinese are the barbarians. This is what civilization has done to barbarism."

[@wanghui562]

Three world wars in one century. BARBARIC.

[@elvishassassin1]

I was taught this as a child, even though I grew up in the West. We will never forget our history.

[@okowoo9719]

chinese is chinese

[@williamwilliam5066]

YOu will if you are told to.

[@Squared_Table]

@@williamwilliam5066the hell is that supposed to insinuate? Envious that your people never even had a “history” to remember?

[@Ta-5gb]

​@@Squared_Tableឪឪឦថដផរផេដើវ លលវើងរផថបលបលើងលហលហើហលហហយហយុមង😢៤ិក😅

[@obj6989]

Every Chinese should visit it, and remember the history.

[@bydamaz3101]

And people whose ancestors destroyed it

[@romko4496]

​@@bydamaz3101I'd jerk to it if I was British 😂😂😂

[@courtly5982]

this is the reason why it won't be rebuilt, to forever remember the tragedy that happens when you are weak, and to condemn colonialism

[@albertjep]

Even if it can be rebuilt, it’s greatness cannot be restored. The original art, paintings, there is no way to recover a thousand years of history. It’s gone, forever.

[@leonard4928]

Korea did restored the Gyeongbokgung palace after Imperial Japan demolished the palace and Hungary are restoring the old buildings destroyed during Soviet period I think Summer Palace restoration can be considered if you watch the case of Korea and Hungary

[@courtly5982]

@@leonard4928 gyeonnbokgung is rebuilt to restore the nation’s symbol and capital city, the forbidden city also is currently being rebuilt aswell eg. Qianlong garden house and the many concubine residential palaces.

[@courtly5982]

@@leonard4928 also, if summer palace indeed is rebuilt, it would be insignificant since all the artifacts were looted and burnt, meanwhile the forbidden city and its artifacts are in Taipei palace museum…

[@6Euphoria6]

​@@courtly5982no its in the British museum

[@michael1345]

That was incredibly limited view if the size they said the palace was before it’s destruction. It must include the gardens, which were beautiful. I applaud not rebuilding but keeping it as a part of Chinese history. Too often the white brush is used to cover the mistakes made and the agendas of Imperialism.

[@ilikecherries3866]

It was huge, I heard it was the size of 8.5 forbidden cities

[@PureVikingPowers]

It was destoryed because Chinese people tortured English people.

[@kaml.7341]

This is a sickening reminder of what Britain and France did to our Motherland! What goes around comes around...

[@VereDeVere]

Very much like what you Chinese did to the Tibetans, whose land you continue to occupy. Whining hypocrite.

[@asnekboi7232]

True we had to burn the palace so the Qing what stop torturing our emissaries

[@andyxyz01]

Everyone knows the western man’s deepest desire is to rape, torture, and kill Chinese for entertainment. Colonial mindset never changed in 450 yesrs

[@xingchen19willwork]

@@asnekboi7232 lol make sure you dont invade in the first place

[@asnekboi7232]

@@xingchen19willwork you act as if it worked any fools who kill people sent to negotiate because your country couldn’t follow trade agreements and now even more of Manchuria is Russia’s

[@wanhaobong4936]

不管园明园有没有重建，历史是无法改变和毁灭的。

[@azis1483]

Many exquisite artworks - sculptures, porcelain, jade, silk robes, elaborate textiles, gold objects and more - were looted and are now located in 47 museums around the world, according to UNESCO. Up to the present, many relics which were taken from the Old Summer Palace remain in foreign museums and private collections. Although the Chinese government has tried to recover them, only a few statuettes from the Garden of Eternal Spring have actually been returned. Why the looted item has not been Rightfully return to china ? It belongs to them. Common sense these items were stolen and bought back to other countries. Now it has been found , it should be return to china and not place at overseas museum.

[@InnerSenseRockBand]

Most French and English people are ignorant about this

[@abcdedfg8340]

Might want to read on the torture and murder of the civilian western envoys that led to this incident. Two sides to the coin, that and it was effectively a playground for the wealthy elite lol.

[@InnerSenseRockBand]

@@abcdedfg8340 how would u feel if China forcefully set up a trade route and sell drugs in your country. Wouldn't ur government try to get rid of it?

[@romko4496]

Of course why should they remember it? No one cares really. The whole human history is violent.

[@TheSecretChateau]

Not so ignorant. Let's also remind the French and British of the Qing Empire under Emperor Qianlong and of his genocide against the Dzungar Peoples of Mongolia. It was Qianlong who called for the total termination of the Dzungars. Let's not pretend Chinese history, or anyone's history is perfect.

[@JustinlADFP]

​@@TheSecretChateauwhatever, English history of genocide is much worse, u cant compete chinese history to the atrocities committed by the British

[@Joy3269]

Very Nice Video. All Should Watch & Appreciate.

[@preciousjewels5921]

Shame on the Brits and French

[@terryl7749]

They did it to every country they invaded or colonized. Ask the Egyptians, Greek, Indians, Africans, Australian aborigines, Vietnamese, Turks, etc. where are their treasures? Mostly in the warehouse of the British museum or Louvre.

[@livensun]

remember the history and hope peace in the world

[@bruceBZ]

Those digital renderings look horrendous

[@claudian4250]

I agreed. The ruin should be kept as it is to remind future generation of what 8 Alliance did and what will happen if we let Aukus do whatever they wanted now. We can choose to forgive, but NEVER FORGET for we have no right to make such decision on behalf of our violated ancestor. Their pain, blood was never experience on our own body, and AUKUS launched in 2021, so where is the repentence? Who are you forgiving if there are no apology?

[@harryainsworth6923]

seethe harder chang

[@TheSecretChateau]

You won't get an apology from Australia regarding Aukus. It wasn't the Australians who destroyed the Summer Palace. Place the blame where it is due, on Britain and France.

[@Lou1-1-r9p]

And we wonder why they dont want to be friends..

[@isaacstone7899]

It looks a good opportunity to make a larger paint art to remember the past. Europe also rebuilt their palaces after the war in 1800s and World War II. That’s what the politicians in Europe looting during the war around the world same as everyone in the world looting after destroyed.

[@JustinlADFP]

over a million artifacts were looted, this isnt simply destroying walls. Much of the place was hand crafted by highly skilled artists that were killed by the British and French during the looting. Its nearly impossible to actually rebuilt it due to the paintings, jewelry and other priceless artifacts that were stolen or destroyed.

[@fredwu6000]

So instead of a museum piece, it can be turned back into a living palace garden for citizens to take a walk, rest and perhaps even eat and drink, turning dead museums into living museums and creating a lot of jobs in the process. Why not !

[@asmeriaedys9109]

China isn't lack of living palace for people to enjoy. But pain must be remembered, lesson must be learn, to keep the country stay awareness.

[@terryl7749]

Maybe they should build a replica of the summer palace in another location. At least it will remind visitors how beautiful it looked rather than how ashamed they are about their weak leadership. Education is better taught through positive memories rather than negative reminders. If they build a new palace and preserve the old one then people can celebrate and grieve at the same time. This will be a more impactful solution. Foreigners will enjoy visiting the new palace and are more likely to share their experiences with friends and then educate others about the horrors that actually occurred. Because currently it doesn't mean anything to anyone but only to the Chinese. Tourists will just remember it as a shabby ruins like the other great ruins around the world. You forget it easy. But if you rebuild it then it becomes a lasting memory

[@terryl7749]

Hollywood should make a movie about the opium wars and rebuild the Summer Palace for the movie so justice to its beauty can be observed. The only problem is they will butcher the storyline and make the British look like the good guys or victims

[@marlbankian]

Excellent !

[@matthewknight766]

It was burned to punish the emperor for torturing and murdering British and French POWs in a way that wouldn't affect the innocent public. I wonder why it wasn't mentioned in the video?

[@sz5263]

Ignorant comment. The British forecast opium on The Chinese people. The West forced Qin emperor to sign humiliating treaties and forced concessions in major port cities. There were resistance from Chinese people, like the Boxers. This is the reason to destroy and loot the magnificent place? Maybe only in your twisted mind.

[@fredwu6000]

I really don't see why Beijing's Old Summer Palace should not be fully restored to its former glory as long as it is restored truly to its original design and also fully documented its restoration date and related details. This will be very educational to our future generations on our culture and achievements. I personally think this should be done on all ancient icons in all countries. My view.

[@animeeffects2926]

i think it should be rebuilt, i think its really stupid that china wants to keep a image of hate towards france and british, like just rebuild it!!!! 😊😊

[@HliarusProd]

​@@animeeffects2926it is not hate but rather rememberance. Perhaps if they happen to rebuild it, they might do it partially.

[@kevinxu5299]

We have to defeat the savages once and for all for humanity to move forward and heal.

[@gendiabdi7281]

Remember the Ala... No! Sorry! It should be don't ever forget the Yuan Ming Yuan and the Opium Pushers!

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

It’s an admirable feat, but why do the renderings look like they are from an early 90’s CD-ROM point and click adventure game?

[@davidjavids2431]

CONGRATULATIONS ON REPLICATION OF THE GRAND COUNCIL COURT THRONES. GLAD THE ORIGINAL I OWN AND DISPLAYED WAS WHAT YOU REQUIRED. HOWEVER THEY ARE FROM THE MING DYNASTY, THE QING USED THEM , MORE SPECIFICALLY, YONGZHENG, BUT THEY WERE USED BY KANGXI, QIANLONG, AND ORIGINALLY FROM MID MING.CUSHION DESIGN WOULD BE AWESOME STUFF TO HAVE IF YOU COULD DISPLAY FOR ME. I MEDITATE IN MINE AND SWORE HONGLI WAS WHOM I COMMUNICATED WITH. PLEASE BUILD YOUR CRYSTAL PALACE THE VIDEO WAS AWESOME. BTW, I DONT OBVIOUSLY HAVE THE PEDESTAL THE THRONE REST ON TOP OF COULD YOU SHOW IT AGAIN. PLEASE🙏, THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. MY ONLY CURIOSITY IS. WHY ONLY CONSERVATIVE VALUE FOR ALL BUT THREE EMPERORS ARE FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND EACH??? WHILE YONGZHENG , KANGXI, QIANLONG WAS AS EACH 7.5 MILLION EACH. I NEVER ASKED ZHANG CURATOR BUT AM CURIOUS ABOUT THAT. THANKS AGAIN. OMNIPOTENT LOVE TO EVERYONE GLOBALLY. NAMASTE

[@davidjavids2431]

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE BENCH THRONE TOO. ??

[@Lou1-1-r9p]

Had a stroke trying to read this 🙏☠️😭🤚

[@williemacbeth6455]

anglo French troops please do not blame cursed to live as britons

[@tigera6681]

extremely painful to watch opium war time video.

[@tufsoft1]

At the time the 8 powers army burned the Yuan Ming Yuan it was the exclusive property of the Emperor and common Chinese people had no access to it, which is probably why Elgin burned it as winter was coming and he was under orders to deliver a crushing blow to the Qing and get back to his boats before the winter set in. Elgin was not actually fond of violence and probably preferred to destroy the personal property of the Emperor than to employ any of the available alternatives which would likely have caused much bloodshed amongst the common people. He had no idea that 50 years later the Xinhai Revolution would make Yuan Ming Yuan, or what was left of it, the property of the Chinese people.

[@amossutandi]

Elgin planned this, cause he wanted to loot the summer palace, like he looted the Parthenon.

[@mikec1326]

Huge mosquito pond

[@KnoLove]

Why British and French ruined other people’s history? Come on man,what about that was you?

[@greedyy6575]

They also like colonizing and selling slaves. Look at how many African countries now speak French.

[@screenapple1660]

Why Chinese refuse to reconstruct it? will it ruined Chinese history like di Vinci worst re paint accident?

[@ericzhou-y4t]

It was reconstructed in other places. The ruins will be kept for education purposes.

[@greedyy6575]

Use it to educate and tell us that you cannot be weak.

[@JustinlADFP]

This isnt simply building concrete or brick walls. Much of palace contained hand crafted pillars, arches, and walls. These are incredibly hard to reproduce, since the British and french killed all the artists. The palace also contained over million artifacts that were stolen. If evert single museum cobtaining the artifacts returned them to the Chinese government, it would still be impossible to reconstruct it

[@magnvss]

The thing is China’s history is plagued with extraordinary facts of construction and destruction among themselves (or the different nations that became China) before and after this palace. Europeans destroying a vast complex of palaces was among the “wake up” loud signs that the Chinese (Manchu) Empire (or dynastic court) could no longer be oblivious to a changing world. It wasn’t the only country to pay a heavy price to update its cuasi-feudal-medieval system to a more industrialized world (think of the Russian Empire, the Ottoman Empire and so on and on). Europeans happened to be at advantageous point because the very bloody religious wars allowed the introduction (out of pragmatism or necessity) of a secular philosophy (Humanism) that slowly built up a system that allowed, first the renaissance (of the old Classic knowledge) and then the basics of science. Because being able to think and speak freely (and critique and contrast and correct and amend) without repercussions was a novelty among the realms of the world. China is still copying after the West (technologies etc.), but its full potential won’t be achieved until they too can gain such freedom.

[@6Euphoria6]

Thry also destroyed the HanLin Imperial Academy. Thats like equivalent to destroying the Library of Alexandria

[@ailingfoong1459]

Hi

[@jarrodyuki7081]

yuan mingyuan1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@philip32276]

Of course it is never mentioned what was destroyed there during the cultural revolution. No information on that.

[@applesparkling1989]

Foreign invasions and internal issues are different.

[@jonsong4592]

look, me knocking over a vase and steve from down the street breaking into my house to knock over a vase are two very different things

[@philip32276]

@@jonsong4592 The vase is still gone.

[@philip32276]

@@applesparkling1989 Well, what was left of the Buddhas of Bamiyan destroyed by the Taliban was an 'internal issue', but most of the world wouldn't agree.

[@hungtow]

Phillip Greisman. The British and French not only knock down the vase, they also destroy the house and burn it down!!! Your assessment is too bias and simplistic.

[@harryainsworth6923]

friendly reminder that the british commander only decided to burn the palace after discovering the peace envoys sent were tortured to death by the chinese.

[@applesparkling1989]

There were no peace envoys, they killed, robbed and burnt. Peace was just a lie.

[@harryainsworth6923]

@@applesparkling1989 ahem "During the Second Opium War in 1860, British and French troops marched from the coast Tianjin and then went to Beijing for negotiation with Qing Dynasty empire representatives. Two envoys, Henry Loch and Harry Parkes and their escort were taken into prision by the Qing general Sengger Rinchen. After that 20 British and French captives were tortured to die in the prison. In order to revenge the Qing Dynasty government, the British High Commissioner to China, James Bruce, ordered the troops to destruct the garden completely. The garden is so large that it took 4,000 men 3 days of burning to destroy it."

[@manojpandey7895]

Did I ask?

[@wangliu3095]

What a good excuse！Why not invade at the beginning?

[@harryainsworth6923]

@@wangliu3095 beg pardon?

[@sibungaraya]

I hotel yuen ming yuen is rebuild :(

[@robinlee7549]

no money,no old -skilled structure,no tradition painter,most importantly no soul of this building

[@sibungaraya]

@@robinlee7549 yes.!