The ruins of the great imperial garden complex destroyed by British and French troops in 1860, located northwest of the city near the existing Summer Palace. Where the Summer Palace survived (rebuilt by Empress Dowager Cixi), Yuanmingyuan was left as ruins — a vast garden of interconnected lakes and islands, now partially landscaped, with the broken stone columns and arches of the European-style palaces at the northern end as the most photographed memorial.
The park is large and pleasant for walking, particularly around the lakes in summer when the lotuses are in bloom. The Western-style ruins at the Changchun Garden are the main historical draw. Allow two hours; combine with the Summer Palace (15 minutes by bicycle or taxi) for a full day in the northwest of the city.