An Imperial Theme Park

The Yuanmingyuan, or Summer Palace, was a sprawling imperial complex in Beijing, encompassing 5,100 mu—comparable to Central Park in New York—featuring intricate gardens, lakes, and man-made landscapes. It housed over 40 acres of structures, including palaces, temples, and government offices, connected by scenic corridors. The site also contained a vast library with China's literary and philosophical works and galleries displaying artworks, including tributary gifts from foreign delegations. This study provides a detailed description of the Yuanmingyuan's architectural and cultural significance, highlighting its role as an imperial theme park that blended natural beauty with political and scholarly functions.

Ringmar, E. (2013). An Imperial Theme Park. Liberal Barbarism, 37–51. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137031600_3