People enjoy winter sports on the frozen surface of Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace in Beijing on January 5, 2024. /CFP
The Summer Palace today is a popular site for winter sports and entertainment in Beijing, but back in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it was an imperial complex with a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces.
Lanterns lining a corridor at the Summer Palace are lit up to create a festive atmosphere for the upcoming Spring Festival in Beijing on January 17, 2024. /CFP
First built in 1750, the Summer Palace was largely destroyed during the foreign invasion in 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886.
Golden sunlight brightens up the arches of the Seventeen Arch Bridge at the Summer Palace in Beijing on December 13, 2020. /CFP
The site covers about 3 square kilometers and features hills, water and a range of architectures, including pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges. Its renowned attractions include Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake and the Seventeen Arch Bridge. The Summer Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.
The file photo shows a view of the Palace of Versailles on July 9, 2009. /CFP
The Palace and Gardens of Versailles are among the most popular tourist attractions in France. The site of the Palace of Versailles started with a simple hunting lodge built by Louis XIII and was expanded into a palace in the time of Louis XIV. The palace was the principal residence of the French kings from Louis XIV to Louis XVI.
The file photo shows a view of the Gardens of Versailles. /CFP
Situated to the west of the palace are the Gardens of Versailles. Covering some 800 hectares of land, the gardens boast a harmonious combination of manicured lawns, parterres, sculptures and fountains.
The file photo shows people visiting the Palace of Versailles. /CFP
The palace and park are seen as the perfect model of a royal residence in Europe, where the architectural design and majestic composition of the landscape, as well as the splendor of the interiors of the apartments, are greatly admired. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.