During the Second Opium War, Anglo-French forces captured the outskirts of the city, looting and burning the Old Summer Palace in 1860. Under the Convention of Peking ending that war, Western powers for the first time secured the right to establish permanent diplomatic presences within the city. In 1900, the attempt by the “Boxers” to eradicate this presence, as well as Chinese Christian converts, led to Beijing’s reoccupation by foreign powers. During the fighting, several important structures were destroyed, including the Hanlin Academy and the (new) Summer Palace.
Peking. Summerpalace, View from the East (19th Century)
Peking. Summerpalace, Mainbuildings (19th Century)
Peking. Summerpalace, Marbleboat (19th Century)
Peking. Summerpalace, Marblebridge (19th Century)
Peking. Summerpalace, General View (19th Century)
Peking. Summerpalace, from Dragon Temple Island (19th Century)
Peking. Summerpalace, 17-Arches Bridge (19th Century)
Peking. Temple of Heaven (19th Century)
