Friday marks the 159th anniversary of the destruction of the Old Summer Palace, also known as Yuanmingyuan, located in China's capital of Beijing. To memorialize historical events, the palace will open with free admission to visitors on that day. /VCG Photo

The Old Summer Palace, an imperial garden built by several emperors during th e Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), was destroyed by a fire set by the British and French soldiers on October 18, 1860, at the end of the Second Opium War. More than 90 percent of its buildings didn't survive the blaze. /VCG Photo

Today, the historic site is still in ruins even though some of the buildings have been rebuilt. It is regarded as the country's open wound on a shameful part of history. /VCG Photo

Once an imperial garden has turned into a public park. The most iconic areas in the park are the remains of a complex of European-style palaces built with help from European Catholic priests. /VCG Photo