Located over an area of about seven hectares in the north part of Changchunyuan, Xiyanglou is China's first replica European-style garden, consisting of over ten Western-style palaces and yards, such as Xieqiqu (Harmonious Wonder),Huanghuazhen (Labyrinth), Yangquelong (Aviary), Fangwaiguan (Belvedere), Haiyantang (Hall of National Peace), Yuanyingguan (Immense Ocean Observatory), Dashuifa (Grand Waterworks), Guan Shuifa (Throne for Viewing the Waterworks), and Xianfashan (Hell of Perspective).

This garden was designed by F.Giuseppe Castiglione (1688-1766), an Italian missionary, and P.Michael Benoist (1715-1774) from France, and constructed by Chinese artisans under their supervision. Planning started in 1747 (12th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign). In the fall of 1751, the first waterworks, Xieqiqu, were completed. The Labyrinth in the east was built from 1756 to 1759. And in 1783, the magnificent Yuany6ingguan was finally added.

Twenty copperplates of the European Palaces were made by court artisans in its heyday, according to the sketches made by a court painter, Yi Lantai. Each was 58 cm high and 93 cm wide.

Parts of these stone buildings survived the fire of 1860, and still stand today as a reminder of the national tragedy.

Between 1977 and 1992, the ruins of the Xiyanglou garden were redone: the foundations cleaned up, the fountains repaired, the surviving pillars and stones restored, and the Labyrinth rebuilt.