Beijing's Old Summer Palace celebrates 30 years with charity art auction

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A charity program was held in Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park, also known as the Old Summer Palace, in Beijing in honor of the 30th anniversary of its opening to the public.

More than 20 top-tier artists from the China National Academy of Painting, including Yang Xiaoyang, director of the institution, participated in a project to create ink-and-water artworks on Thursday.

All the revenue raised through the auction of the paintings will be donated to Yuanmingyuan Foundation to be used for the future restoration, exhibition, and repatriation of cultural relics and lost artifacts.

Yuanmingyuan was a royal resort during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Though it was the zenith among ancient Chinese gardens, notably for its large scale and exquisite design, it was sacked and burnt down by the invading Anglo-French Alliance Forces in 1860.

Since the founding of Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park on June 29, 1988, much work has been done to preserve relics and the archaeology of the site, as well as to improve the environment.

Many other activities have been organized in the park; for example, it was recently announced that it would be used as a training center for dragon boat racing teams.

According to the administration of the park, it attracts more than 10 million annual visitors.

(Cover photo: File photo taken on April 15, 2018 shows the spring view of flowers in blossom in the Yuangmingyuan, Beijing, China./ VCG Photo)

Source(s): China Daily