The Old Summer Palace (圆明园, Yuánmíng Yuán) was a complex of palaces and gardens in Beijing, built in the 18th and early 19th century, where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty lived and handled government affairs.

Initial construction of the palace began in 1707 by Emperor Kangxi and was intended as a gift for his son, later Emperor Yongzheng (雍正, Yōngzhèng). Later, under Emperor Yongzheng and Qianlong (乾隆, Qiánlóng), the Imperial Gardens were greatly expanded. By the middle of the 19th century, the Imperial Gardens had undergone expansion in one form or another for over 150 years.

Known for its extensive collection of garden and building architectures and other works of art, the Imperial Gardens were entirely destroyed by troops from Britain and France in 1860. It took 3,500 British troops to set the entire place on fire and took three days for it to burn. Today, the destruction of the palace is still regarded as a symbol of foreign aggression and humiliation in China.