OLD SUMMER PALACE

A long time ago in the time of the Chinese emperors, there was a beautiful Summer Palace where the emperor and his family would go during the summer. It was so beautiful that people in other countries praised it. However, it was destroyed by the British and French (but the Chinese blame 8 countries: United States, France, Britain, Japan, Russia, Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy) when some prisoners of war were killed by the Chinese after the Opium War.
Now, only a small part of the palace still exists and it pales in comparison to its original beauty.

There were buildings in this garden. Ironically, the only ones that survived were designed in the Western style. They were made of stone instead of wood. (The emperor had taken a fancy to western architecture)
The government now uses these remains to promote the Chinese feeling of anger and humiliation towards the 8 countries. (The Chinese have a strong feeling of humiliation. It started after the Opium War. It makes the people and government quite sensitive towards any possible slights. The government uses these feelings to promote nationalism.)

Strategically placed ruins:

It was getting late, so we didn't get see the whole palace. (It's HUGE!!!) But if you're ever in China you should see it for the historical value. But for beauty, the newer Summer Palace is much better. :)