🐯 Zodiac Legends at the Ruins of Yuanmingyuan’s Zodiac Fountain

#summervacay Step into a tale of splendor and loss at the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) in Beijing — home to the iconic yet haunting Zodiac Fountain ruins at Haiyantang. Once part of a majestic water clock fountain designed by Jesuit architects in the Qing Dynasty, this site featured 12 bronze animal heads representing the Chinese zodiac. Each head spouted water in turn, telling time in a uniquely Chinese-European way — until it was destroyed in 1860 during the Second Opium War 💔 Today, only a few original pieces survive (some repatriated), and the ruins of the Dashuifa (Grand Waterworks) remain a solemn yet stunning reminder of lost grandeur. The site blends culture, controversy, and powerful aesthetics — a must-see for history lovers and photographers alike. 🧭 Don’t forget to check out the museum nearby to see restored zodiac head replicas and learn their fascinating backstory. #yuanmingyuanruins #zodiacfountain #beijinghistory #losttreasures #oldsummerpalace #chinesezodiacart #haiyantangruins #culturalheritagechina #beijingmustvisit #historicaltravel