Qichunyuan(Garden of Blossoming Spring)

Situated to the south of Yuanmingyuan and Changchunyuan, this was originally a small garden presented to Prince Yunxiang, thirteenth son of Emperor Kangxi. It was expanded during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng. The next emperor, Qianlong, presented the garden to Fu Heng, Grand Academician and Minister of State. In 1770, Qichunyuan took its present name, and was incorporated into Yuanmingyuan. A supervisor was appointed to manage the garden, but large-scale renovation and expansion were not initiated until 1795. In 1805, Emperor Jiaqing composed 30 poems to celebrate the over ten scenic spots. With its new palace gate finished in 1809, the garden reached its prime by 1814.

In 1821, the eastern part of the garden was renovated for the empress dowagers and imperial consorts, while the western part was taken by Emperor Daoguang, then Xianfeng.

In 1860 when the Qing Empire was defeated in the Opium War, the garden suffered severe damage at the hands of the Ango-French Forces. Only a few buildings, such as Zhuangyan Fajie (Realm of the Solemn Dharma), the Huiji (Enlightened Benevolence) Temple, Lumanxuan (Chamber of Overflowing Greenness) and the palace gates, survived the fire. It was renamed Wanchunyuan (Garden of a Thousand Springtimes) when Emperor Tongzhi had some buildings repaired. But the whole garden was once again destroyed in 1900 by the Eight-Power Allied Forces. Today, of this exquisite imperial garden once so highly eulogized, only but a dozen or so ravaged rooms of the Zhengjue (Enlightenment) Temple lie there, in silent testimony.

In 1986, Yuanmingyuan Park staff cleared and revitalized the hills and water system of Qichunyuan. So far, a few sights, such as the new palace gates, the Jianbi Pavilion (Pavilion in a Blue Mirror), the Haoran (Noble Spirit)Pavilion, and Xianren Chenglu (Platform of Immortal Receiving Heavenly Dew) have been restored.