The Return of China

Much has been written about the looting of Yuanmingyuan, the residence of the imperial family and royal court during the late Qing Dynasty of 1644–1911) in the heart of Peking. Yuanmingyuan was considered one of the finest Chinese architectural gardens, spanned over 700 acres with pavilions, towers, palaces and halls. Now known as the Palace Museum, it was the principal ceremonial palace of the Emperors of both the Ming (1368 to 1644 AD) and Qing dynasties (1644–1911), completed in 1420.