| Shuang
Qin "Double Streams" Villa (1745 originally,
1900 reconstruction)
other
sites in Beijing |
Beijing, China |
Click on the images for larger views
This mountain retreat in the heart of Fragrant Hills was built in 1745, the tenth year of Emperor Qianlong's reign. It became known as "Double Streams villa" when the Emperor carved this title on a nearby rock. Like many historical sites near Beijing, the villa was destroyed in 1860 and again in in 1900 by Western forces. After its reconstruction it became the private domain of Xiong Xilin, who officially changed its name to Double Streams Villa. The villa is famous because Mao Zedong commandeered the villa for his armies while preparing a final assault on Beijing in 1949. Soon after he proclaimed the founding of the Peoples' Republic of China.
Bibliography:
All images copyright 1998-2001 Abe Ahn and Tim Ciccone.
Written information distilled from signposts on site.