Tsinghua Garden

　　Tsinghua Garden was originally part of Xichun Garden, which was built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Daoguang, Xichun Garden was divided into eastern and western sections—the western garden was named "Jinchun Garden," while the eastern garden retained the name "Xichun Garden." After Emperor Xianfeng ascended the throne, he renamed the eastern Xichun Garden as "Tsinghua Garden." Tsinghua Garden was bestowed upon the site by Emperor Xianfeng of the Qing Dynasty.

　　Today, behind the Gongzi Hall in Tsinghua Garden, there is a plaque inscribed with the four characters “Shuimu Qinghua” (清水清华), meaning “Clear Ripples over Water and Wood.” On either side is a couplet that reads: “Beyond the railing, mountain scenes shift through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, all beyond the ordinary realm; within the window, drifting clouds drift east, west, south, and north, tranquil and unrestrained—it is truly an immortal’s dwelling.” The phrase “Shuimu Qinghua” originates from the poem “A Stroll to the West Pond” by Xie Shuyuan of the Jin Dynasty: “The sun declines, birds gather and sing, water and wood shine with crystalline clarity.” The character “zhan” (湛) means “clear” or “limpid.” Because there is a pond behind the Gongzi Hall, the verse inspired the naming as “Shuimu Qinghua.”

　　As an imperial garden and one of the imperial retreats (the royal garden) of Emperor Kangxi, Xichun Garden (the predecessor of Tsinghua Garden) covered an area of 261 mu (approximately 17.4 hectares). It was first constructed in the mid-Qing Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Kangxi and completed in 1767 (the 32nd year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign). Along with the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) and four other imperial parks in the western suburbs of Beijing, it was known as the “Five Gardens of Yuanming.” This period was shortly after the completion of the first eighty chapters of Dream of the Red Chamber.

　　During the reign of Emperor Daoguang, Xichun Garden was divided into eastern and western parts. The eastern part remained called Xichun Garden and was granted to the fifth son, Yizong, while the western part was called Jinchun Garden and granted to the fourth son, Yixin (often referred to as Prince Gong) (Emperor Xianfeng), commonly known as the “Fourth Prince’s Garden.” According to historical maps recently studied by scholars—specifically the peripheral water town map of Yuanmingyuan—Jinchun Garden was labeled as belonging to “Prince Rui” (i.e., Mianning, the fourth younger brother of Emperor Daoguang). Therefore, it remains uncertain whether the “Fourth Prince” of the so-called “Fourth Prince’s Garden” refers to Yixin or Mianning. When Emperor Xianfeng ascended the throne, he renamed Xichun Garden and personally inscribed the plaque with the name “Tsinghua Garden.”

　　In the 10th year of Emperor Xianfeng’s reign (1860), the Anglo-French Allied Forces burned down Yuanmingyuan, and the flames spread to Jinchun Garden. Seven or eight pavilions and chambers in the garden gradually fell into disrepair and became desolate, earning the nickname “Deserted Island.” Tsinghua Garden has a history of 233 years. Historical records indicate that there were once 11 imperial plaques inscribed by emperors within Tsinghua Garden. It is one of the few remaining architectural sites from the Yuanmingyuan era in the western suburbs today. This makes it easy to understand the great significance of preserving Tsinghua Garden.

　　In 1910, the “Tsinghua School,” built using Boxer Indemnity funds provided by the United States, was located within Tsinghua Garden. This is the predecessor of Tsinghua University.