Where Empress Dowager Cixi Breathes

The Millennium Capital Beijing, Picturing the New Millennium: The Youth of Sarangbang Embrace Beijing

Kim Sun-kyung Paris Institute of Political Studies

Category: EAI Sarangbang Excursions
Published: April 20, 2016

Summer Palace (颐和园) · Kim Sun-kyung · Paris Institute of Political Studies

Things You Must Know!

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◆ Combined Entrance Fee: 60 Yuan (Peak Season), 50 Yuan (Off-Season)

◆ Homepage: www.summerpalace-china.com

Introduction

After visiting the Forbidden City and the Old Summer Palace, it was finally my turn. I had been outside all day and was so cold that I quickly bought a scarf, but the biting cold of Beijing showed no signs of abating. However, as soon as Yoo-jeong's presentation ended and we got into the car heading for the Summer Palace, my mind became completely focused on preparing my presentation. Arriving a little late at the Summer Palace due to schedule delays, we hurried to buy tickets and entered through the East Palace Gate. And so, my presentation, which everyone had been eagerly awaiting, began. 5. Where Empress Dowager Cixi Breathes: The Summer Palace

Located about 12 km from downtown Beijing, the Summer Palace is China's largest imperial garden. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national key cultural heritage protection unit, it is a representative tourist attraction that draws a constant stream of visitors. The Summer Palace served as Empress Dowager Cixi's summer retreat for escaping the heat and recuperating. It was a place to which Empress Dowager Cixi paid special attention. Empress Dowager Cixi diverted naval funds to rebuild the Summer Palace, and her defeat in the Sino-Japanese War had a significant impact on East Asian history. Therefore, this place is not only deeply connected to Empress Dowager Cixi's story but also a crucial site in terms of international politics. As such, the story of the Summer Palace and Empress Dowager Cixi is closely linked to the question of how to view Chinese history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, making it a subject that requires careful consideration. With highly polarized views on Empress Dowager Cixi, this report aims to provide a more balanced perspective. Through the space of the Summer Palace, we seek to understand the historical and political context of the time and to examine Empress Dowager Cixi, who wielded power in the Qing Dynasty for an astonishing 40 years, as both a politician and a woman.

Visiting the Summer Palace

The Summer Palace (颐和园) was first constructed in the early 12th century during the Jin Dynasty, but it was Emperor Qianlong who began building it in its current garden form in 1750. At that time, it was not called the Summer Palace but rather Qingyiyuan (淸漪園), and it was used as a garden for the emperor's leisure. In 1860, during the Second Opium War, it was burned down by British and French forces along with the Old Summer Palace (圆明园). Later, Empress Dowager Cixi rebuilt it as a place for her later years of recuperation and changed its name to the Summer Palace. Empress Dowager Cixi would go to the Summer Palace after the Dragon Boat Festival (the fifth day of the fifth lunar month) and return to the Forbidden City around her birthday, the Empress Dowager's Festival (October 10th). After Emperor Guangxu came of age, he moved his residence from the Forbidden City to this place. Although the emperor existed, Empress Dowager Cixi was the de facto ruler at the time, making the Summer Palace a crucial center for political and diplomatic activities. The area of the Summer Palace is approximately 2.9 million square meters, making it China's largest garden. It features over a hundred architectural sites, 3,000 ancient structures, and 20 large and small gardens, housing 40,000 historically significant artifacts. There are two main tour routes for the Summer Palace. The first route involves entering through the East Palace Gate (东宫门), visiting Ren Shou Dian (仁寿殿), Kunming Lake (昆明湖), Yulan Garden (玉兰园), Leshou Tang (乐寿堂), the Long Corridor (长廊), the Stone Boat (石舫), and Suzhou Street (苏州街), then exiting through the North Palace Gate (北宫门). Alternatively, from the Stone Boat (石舫), one can take a boat to visit the Dragon King Temple (龙王庙) and then exit through the South Gate of the Summer Palace. The second route goes from the East Palace Gate (东宫门) to Longevity Hill (万寿山), Cloud Dispelling Hall (排云殿), the Tower of Buddhist Incense (佛香阁), the Qingyan Boat (清晏舫), Kunming Lake (昆明湖), the Dragon King Temple (龙王庙), and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge (十七孔桥). Following this route allows one to circle the Summer Palace and return to the entrance. We chose the first route and walked towards the East Palace Gate.

Before touring the Summer Palace, let's take a brief look at the map. On the eastern side of Longevity Hill within the Summer Palace, imperial palace architecture is located. In front of and behind Longevity Hill are Buddhist temple structures. In the lake area behind the hill are Jiangnan-style folk architecture, Tibetan Lamaist architecture in the center of the back mountain, and the Stone Boat (石舫), which imitates a Western steamship, to the northwest of Kunming Lake, showcasing diverse architectural styles.

The Summer Palace can be broadly divided into three functional zones: the administrative zone, the residential zone, and the garden zone, based on the functions the garden served. The administrative and residential zones are located in the eastern part of the Summer Palace, with the administrative zone in the front and the residential zone in the rear. I intend to unfold the stories of Empress Dowager Cixi, embedded throughout the Summer Palace, according to these spatial divisions.

Stories from the Administrative Zone, a Space of History

To enter Ren Shou Dian (仁寿殿), the administrative zone of the Summer Palace, one must first pass through the East Palace Gate, the main entrance. The central East Palace Gate was exclusively for the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress (Long Er, 2010). The gates on either side were for concubines, the principal wives of royal relatives, nobles, and ministers. Finally, a small corner gate was for eunuchs and staff handling miscellaneous duties. Passing through the East Palace Gate leads to the Ren Shou Men (仁寿门), and beyond that, Ren Shou Dian (仁寿殿), where Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi conducted state affairs, comes into view.

The Gate for the Empress Dowager, Emperor, and Empress, the East Palace Gate (东宫门)

5. Where Empress Dowager Cixi Breathes: The Summer Palace

Ren Shou Dian served as a place for official duties, such as receiving foreign envoys, and belongs to the outer court. Its original name was Qin Zheng Dian (勤政殿), but after its reconstruction, it was renamed Ren Shou Dian (仁寿殿), taking inspiration from the phrase "The wise find joy in it, the benevolent find longevity" (知者乐，仁者寿) from Confucius's Analects, Chapter Yong Ye (《论语·雍也》), meaning 'A benevolent ruler enjoys longevity.' In front of Ren Shou Dian stood bronze dragons and phoenixes, symbolizing the Emperor and Empress, respectively. Traditionally, the dragon, symbolizing the Emperor, is placed in the center. However, in front of Ren Shou Dian, the phoenix, symbolizing the Empress, is in the center, with dragons on either side. This seemed to symbolically represent Empress Dowager Cixi's position as the supreme ruler at the time.

Ren Shou Dian is also a significant historical site where the Reform Movement of 1898 (變法自強運動) was debated. The Reform Movement of 1898 can be seen as a successor to the Self-Strengthening Movement (洋務運動), which, with the support of Emperor Tongzhi, attempted modernization by introducing Western military technology but ultimately failed. The failure of the Self-Strengthening Movement was due to criticism and obstruction from conservative forces centered around Empress Dowager Cixi, which also played a decisive role in the defeat of the Sino-Japanese War. Twelve years before the Sino-Japanese War, China and Japan accelerated their naval build-up, engaging in an arms race. However, during the Sino-Japanese War, the Japanese navy had significantly expanded its forces, while the Beiyang Fleet of the Qing Dynasty had effectively ceased its expansion by the late 1880s. What happened in China over those twelve years? According to Dong Jin-yi's (董進一) "The Beiyang Fleet and Liugong Island" (北洋海軍と劉公島), China banned the purchase of warships and cannons for the Beiyang and Nanyang fleets for two years in 1891 due to financial difficulties, resulting in no increase in the Beiyang Fleet's strength. Although not definitively proven, it is said that Empress Dowager Cixi's massive expenditure on the renovation of the Summer Palace and other projects led to financial strain. Furthermore, the Qing court at the time was divided and in conflict between Emperor Guangxu's faction (帝黨) and Empress Dowager Cixi's faction (后黨), and internal divisions caused by these factional conflicts prevented an effective response to external aggression. Despite possessing a total of four naval fleets with 82 warships and 25 torpedo boats, totaling 85,000 tons, only the Beiyang Fleet participated in the war, while the Nanyang Fleet and the other two fleets remained idle. Ultimately, financial difficulties and power struggles led to the disastrous outcome of defeat in the Sino-Japanese War.

Shocked by the defeat in the Sino-Japanese War, Emperor Guangxu became skeptical of the Self-Strengthening Movement and, in an effort to overcome the situation, supported the reform policies of young intellectuals. While the Self-Strengthening Movement focused on introducing Western science and technology and military techniques, the Reform Movement of 1898 was based on the idea of fundamentally reforming the political system. At the heart of this ideology were Kang Youwei (康有爲) and Liang Qichao (梁啓超). In 1897, Liang Qichao collaborated with progressive officials and scholars in Hunan Province to implement reforms centered on the local level. He viewed the imperial court as incompetent and therefore believed that reforms should be driven by regions and localities. In contrast, Kang Youwei sought to launch a nationwide reform movement centered on the imperial court in Beijing. Kang Youwei did not limit the problem to the reform of political institutions but saw the root cause of the problem in China's social and moral values. He argued that institutional change was the true core of Confucian principles and sought to model the reforms after Japan's Meiji Restoration. He believed that reforms could begin once Emperor Guangxu enacted and promulgated the reform decrees. Within this political context, on June 16, 1898, Emperor Guangxu met with Kang Youwei at Ren Shou Dian for a secret discussion lasting about two hours. Through discussions on reform with Kang Youwei, Emperor Guangxu dreamed of modern reforms, including the transition to a constitutional monarchy. He was to announce 'fundamental national policies.' Weng Tonghe (翁同龢), Emperor Guangxu's tutor, recorded this moment in his diary on June 11, 1898:

Today, His Majesty promulgated the Empress Dowager's decree. [...] Empress Dowager Cixi decided that from now on, comprehensive Western methods, including clear promulgations, should be adopted. I boldly expressed the opinion that while adopting Western methods is important,

it is more important not to abandon our own morality and philosophy. However, I later withdrew this opinion and drafted the imperial edict (Zhang Yong, 2013, p. 221).

Weng Tonghe's diary states that Emperor Guangxu promulgated the Empress Dowager's reform decrees, which raises a question. This is because Empress Dowager Cixi is known to have opposed reforms during the Self-Strengthening Movement. However, Empress Dowager Cixi did not oppose Emperor Guangxu's reforms from the outset. Emperor Guangxu visited the Summer Palace and submitted a memorial on reform to Empress Dowager Cixi. Initially, she supported his reforms, but later withdrew her support when the reform discussion began to target Empress Dowager Cixi. Consequently, the reformists attempted to remove Empress Dowager Cixi. Yuan Shikai, who controlled military power at the time, betrayed the reformists and informed Empress Dowager Cixi of this fact. Empress Dowager Cixi, along with the conservatives of the Qing Dynasty who supported her, launched the Wuxu Coup, imprisoned Emperor Guangxu, and purged many of his reformist followers. Ultimately, the Reform Movement of 1898 was suppressed in 103 days, and Empress Dowager Cixi declared regency. In the end, Empress Dowager Cixi did not oppose reform itself but thwarted the reform movement due to her personal safety and political interests. After the failure of the Reform Movement of 1898, Emperor Guangxu lost real power, and Empress Dowager Cixi confined him to the Hall of Longevity in the Forbidden City. In 1899, due to the instability of the national situation, Empress Dowager Cixi returned to the Forbidden City and, a year later in the spring of 1900, returned to the Summer Palace. 5. Where Empress Dowager Cixi Breathes: The Summer Palace

Yulan Tang (玉澜堂), where Emperor Guangxu resided after the failure of the Reform Movement of 1898

Located south of Ren Shou Dian, Yulan Tang (玉澜堂) is a courtyard building consisting of a main hall and two auxiliary halls. Originally, it was where Emperor Qianlong handled state affairs. According to one account, Empress Dowager Cixi later brought Emperor Guangxu with her to the Summer Palace and confined him to Yulan Tang (Warner, 1973). Reginald Johnston, the English tutor of Puyi, the last emperor, stated that Emperor Guangxu's residence was sealed with bricks at all entrances except the main one, preventing anyone from freely entering or exiting. An interesting point here is the debate over whether Empress Dowager Cixi actually imprisoned Emperor Guangxu in Yulan Tang. Proponents of this theory claim that Empress Dowager Cixi confined him and cut off all contact. However, opponents argue that the story of the imprisonment was fabricated by radical reformers to criticize the current regime and to push for the introduction of a constitutional monarchy to the Chinese people and Western powers. The opponents' position is that this narrative is based on writings by radical reformers and their Western supporters, thus serving their interests. Nevertheless, regardless of whether he was imprisoned, it is a fact that Emperor Guangxu was effectively deposed after the failure of the Reform Movement of 1898. This event led to Empress Dowager Cixi taking a seat next to the throne, and Emperor Guangxu, forever separated from the dragon throne, was relegated to a temporary seat. Empress Dowager Cixi once again asserted her powerful position within the Qing imperial family.

As the power struggle between Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu of the imperial family was nearing its end with Empress Dowager Cixi's victory, anti-foreign sentiment and struggles among the Chinese populace began to intensify. At that time, China was in turmoil both domestically and internationally due to the increasing encroachment of foreign powers on Chinese interests. In regions that had been self-sufficient, ports were opened, and cheap imported goods flooded the market, causing significant economic hardship for farmers. Germany obtained railway concessions to expand into China's interior, and subsequent railway construction led to friction with the Chinese people. To make matters worse, the expansion of missionary influence and natural disasters such as floods in Shandong Province caused people to fear starvation. As the situation worsened, the Chinese people directed their anger towards foreign powers, and an increasing number of people joined the Boxers, a secret society of peasants. With Empress Dowager Cixi's support, the Boxers became increasingly violent, attacking missionaries and diplomats in China and burning churches and foreign legations. Britain, France, the United States, and Germany demanded that the Qing court suppress the Boxers, but Empress Dowager Cixi, believing that the Boxers could be used to drive out the foreigners, declared war on the foreign powers in June 1900.

From the beginning of the dynasty, China has treated foreign visitors with kindness.

Under the reigns of Emperor Daoguang and Emperor Xianfeng, they were permitted to trade freely and were granted permission to propagate their religions.

However, over the past thirty years, they have taken advantage of our patience and generosity to invade our territory, trample upon our people,

and exploit the wealth of our kingdom. All the concessions we have made to them have offended the gods and sages and angered the people. Therefore, brave patriots have burned down churches and killed converts.

To avoid war, the Emperor declared that the Boxers and converts should be treated equally as children of the nation and issued an edict protecting the diplomatic envoys and converts. However, yesterday, an envoy was dispatched demanding that the Dagu Forts be handed over to them. They intended to forcibly seize the Dagu Forts. This threat, in all discussions concerning international issues, demonstrates their belligerent nature. With tears in our eyes, we have declared war. It is better to fight to the best of our ability than to suffer eternal disgrace. All officials, regardless of their rank, share this sentiment.

They mobilized hundreds of thousands of Boxers without official summons. [...] All children carry spears to defend the nation (Warner, 1972, p. 193).

Amidst the ongoing violence, Britain, France, the United States, Germany, Japan, Russia, Italy, and Austria finally organized an allied force and dispatched it to Beijing. After Beijing fell in two months, Empress Dowager Cixi, who was enjoying the summer at the Summer Palace, hastily returned to the Forbidden City with Emperor Guangxu. On the 14th, as the allied forces launched a full-scale attack, they fled to Xi'an. The Summer Palace could not escape looting. Empress Dowager Cixi's jewelry, clothing, silk, and other valuables were stolen, and the Peking Opera house was burned down. Ultimately, Empress Dowager Cixi ordered Li Hongzhang and Prince Gong, Yixin (慶親王奕劻), to negotiate with the foreign powers.

(Prince Gong Yixin)

and in December 1901, China was compelled to sign the Boxer Protocol (Xinchou Treaty) with 11 foreign powers. The 11 nations demanded that the Qing Dynasty pay an indemnity of 67.5 million pounds sterling, or 4.5 billion taels, with an annual interest of 4%, by 1940, as compensation for the deaths of 247 missionaries, 66 legation staff, and 30,000 Chinese Christians. Although it was an unequal treaty that strengthened the foreign powers' control over China, Empress Dowager Cixi did not hesitate to accept the terms. Since it was a unilateral treaty, Empress Dowager Cixi could not oppose it, but she seemed relieved that the treaty did not include any provisions for her punishment or for the succession of Emperor Guangxu. Someone had to pay the price for instigating the Boxer Rebellion, so Empress Dowager Cixi dismissed Prince Tuan (Duanjunwang), Prince Qing (Liqinwang), and Prince Bao (Baoguo Gong), and executed Prince Zhang (Zhangjinwang), Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate Yingnian (Yingnian), Minister of Justice Zhaoxuejiao, and Governor of Shanxi Province Yu Xian. After the Boxer Rebellion situation had somewhat subsided, Empress Dowager Cixi demanded that history be rewritten as follows.

The Boxers, who initiated the war, not only seized our capital but also coveted the throne.

The decrees promulgated at that time were secretly stamped with the imperial seal by the wicked Crown Prince and his ministers amidst the national chaos and promulgated, and their contents differed from what we desired (Warner 1972, 216).

differed from what we desired (Warner 1972, 216).

Upon her return to the capital in July 1901, Empress Dowager Cixi announced the New Policies (Xinzheng), similar to the Hundred Days' Reform (Biange Kaigong) promoted by Emperor Guangxu in 1898. The New Policies established modern reform measures, starting with the establishment of the Office for the Administration of State Affairs (Dupan Zhengwu Chu) as a central administrative body, and also carried out reforms in education, economy, and military affairs. Although Empress Dowager Cixi attempted reforms in various fields, they ultimately failed again due to a lack of internal and external capacity. A story about the residential area that offers a glimpse into Empress Dowager Cixi's daily life.

Behind the Magnolia Hall (Yulan Tang) are the Dehe Garden (Dehe Yuan) and Leshou Hall (Leshou Tang), Empress Dowager Cixi's residential area. Dehe Garden is one of the four major Peking Opera theaters in China, and Empress Dowager Cixi visited it almost daily to watch Peking Opera. From 1891 to 1895, Empress Dowager Cixi spent 710,000 taels of silver to build Dehe Garden. Here, she watched operas with Emperor Guangxu, making significant contributions to the development of Chinese art and opera, thus it can be considered a place of historical and cultural value.

Leshou Hall was originally a place where Emperor Qianlong enjoyed the magnificent scenery of Kunming Lake with his mother. Later, Empress Dowager Cixi renovated it for her living space. Inside Leshou Hall, there was a throne, an eight-panel screen behind it, and a brazier and vases in front. To the side was a low bed with a pillow on it, and below the bed was a low stool without a backrest (Long Er 2010, 214). Many anecdotes are told about this place where Empress Dowager Cixi lived her daily life.

While the Summer Palace boasted beautiful scenery with water and mountains on all sides, it also had many insects such as midges, moths, and mosquitoes due to its natural environment. During the summer, when insects increased, Empress Dowager Cixi would hang a canopy in the Leshou Hall bedroom to avoid them. This canopy allowed for ventilation and sunlight and could be opened and closed freely. Additionally, drainage ditches were installed on all four sides of the canopy, including in front of the main hall of Leshou Hall. In the summer, Empress Dowager Cixi spent most of her time under the canopy, but she loved animals very much and would watch flocks of pigeons below the steps outside Leshou Hall in the morning (Long Er 2010). Empress Dowager Cixi enjoyed wealth and honor in this paradise on earth; for example, she is said to have enjoyed 120 dishes and over 400 desserts at every meal. Empress Dowager Cixi was particularly interested in fashion, changing her clothes several times a day depending on the location, and never wore the same outfit twice.

Leshou Hall (乐寿堂), Empress Dowager Cixi's main living space

A story of the Garden Area: A Scene of Active Diplomacy

The Garden Area is a landscape for enjoying scenery in harmony with nature, centered around Longevity Hill (Wanshou Shan) and Kunming Lake. This area was primarily used for the recreation, banquets, and Buddhist ceremonies of the imperial family. Kunming Lake, which occupies three-quarters of the total water surface, is an artificial lake painstakingly dug by the Chinese people. Furthermore, Longevity Hill, symbolizing eternal life, was created by piling up the soil excavated from Kunming Lake, which is astonishing to believe. Kunming Lake is divided into three main sections, each with a small artificial island. The rest of the Garden Area consists of structures such as towers (lou), pavilions (ge), kiosks (ting), corridors (lang), stone boats (shifang), temples (si), and bridges (qiao). Representative sites include Dehe Tower (Dehe Lou), Jade Belt Bridge (Yudai Qiao), Stone Boat (Shifang), Long Corridor (Chang Lang), Suzhou Street (Suzhou Jie), and Seventeen-Arch Bridge (Shiliugong Qiao). I will briefly introduce the Long Corridor and the Stone Boat.

Student Kim Seon-kyung explaining enthusiastically despite the cold

The Long Corridor (Chang Lang), rebuilt in the 12th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign, extends from Yaoyue Gate in the east to Shizhang Pavilion in the west. It consists of 273 bays and has a total length of 728 meters. The paintings adorning the Long Corridor, built for Empress Dowager Cixi's strolls, number as many as 14,000. The beams of the Long Corridor are decorated with over 8,000 colorful paintings of figures, landscapes, flowers, birds, and other subjects. Additionally, the paintings depict various themes from classical novels such as 'Spring Dawn in the Willows' (Suo Chun Xiao) and 'Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake' (Ping Hu Qiu Yue), as well as opera stories tailored to Empress Dowager Cixi's preferences. There are also four octagonal pavilions—Liujia, Jilan, Qiushui, and Qingyao—in the middle, making it the longest corridor in Chinese classical gardens.

The Long Corridor (長廊), boasting the longest length among Chinese classical gardens

Conversely, on the lakeside to the west of the Long Corridor lies the Stone Boat (Shifang), a waterside structure made of white marble. This structure was originally a marble boat built by Emperor Qianlong, to which Empress Dowager Cixi added a two-story wooden building. It was used as a place to admire the moonlight and also hosted banquets.

The Stone Boat (石舫), a waterside structure made of white marble

On pleasant days, Empress Dowager Cixi would take a boat ride across Kunming Lake, navigating through the lotus flowers. Whenever Empress Dowager Cixi moved, all the palace staff, from guards to cooks, had to accompany her. With about 20 cooks on board, one can imagine the large number of people who followed her. The boat Empress Dowager Cixi used was called a Dragon Boat (Long Zhou). The cabin in the center of the Dragon Boat was high and spacious, and its roof was carved with wooden tiles and painted yellow. Pearl shell partitions lined the sides of the cabin, curtains depicting dragons and phoenixes were hung, and two golden fishing hooks were suspended high up. In the center of the cabin was an eight-panel screen, with a throne in front of it, and decorative items such as a Buddha statue and a brazier. Empress Dowager Cixi would dine, drink tea, and listen to music on the Dragon Boat.

However, this was not merely a venue for banquets but also an important diplomatic hub for Empress Dowager Cixi. After the failure of the Boxer Rebellion, Empress Dowager Cixi began to actively engage in diplomatic relations with Western countries and sought to improve diplomatic ties through personal relationships. She invited wives of diplomats and envoys stationed in Beijing to the palace for tea and showered them with gifts, making the garden area a perfect setting for such meetings.

At that time, Empress Dowager Cixi summoned Yu Deling (裕德龄) and Rong Ling (容齡), daughters of Yu Geng (裕庚), who was the ambassador to Japan and France, to the palace to learn about Western culture and affairs. The two daughters stayed with Empress Dowager Cixi at the Summer Palace, serving as interpreters and intermediaries. Rong Ling had a brother named Xunling (勛齡), about whom little is known, but he learned photography as a hobby in Japan (Hogge 2011). It is unknown how Xunling was introduced to Empress Dowager Cixi, but Xunling

(Xunling) (勛

introduced photography to Empress Dowager Cixi, and she became captivated by the charm of photography. Empress Dowager Cixi set up a studio in Leshou Hall and invited Xunling

(Xunling) to

take photographs.

The existing photographs of Empress Dowager Cixi were taken during this period.

There were several intentions behind her taking photographs. While one reason was to express herself through photography, her primary goal was to improve her damaged image by portraying herself as embodying imperial authority and religious piety, thereby restoring the prestige of the crumbling imperial family. It is also presumed that she sought to gain international support by leveraging personal relationships. Therefore, the garden area of the Summer Palace can also be seen as a place that reflects Empress Dowager Cixi's diplomatic efforts in her later years.

Empress Dowager Cixi, who reigned for 48 years, how should we evaluate her?

Despite the efforts in reform and improving diplomatic relations mentioned earlier, the fate of the Qing Dynasty was already sealed. Following the Boxer Rebellion, a Han Chinese revolutionary movement emerged, advocating for the establishment of a new nation by the Han Chinese to overthrow the weakened Qing Empire, which had lost popular support. Rebellions and incidents erupted everywhere. In July of the 34th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign, rumors circulated that Emperor Guangxu was about to die. "On the night of the 21st of that month, a bright star flew from the northwest, passing through Liujing, with a sound like thunder, a tail tens of feet long, and a dazzling light. The star finally flew to the southeast and fell (Yang Baihua 1988, 259)." Emperor Guangxu's health deteriorated daily, and he passed away on November 14th of that year. The following day, November 15th, Empress Dowager Cixi, who had presided over the Qing Dynasty, also died at the age of 74 in the Summer Palace she loved.

Despite the aforementioned reform and diplomatic efforts, the Qing dynasty's fate was already sealed. Following the Boxer Rebellion, a Han Chinese revolutionary movement emerged, aiming to overthrow the weakened Qing Empire, which had lost popular support, and establish a new nation led by Han Chinese. Rebellions and incidents erupted across the land. In July of the 34th year of the Guangxu reign, ominous rumors circulated throughout China that Emperor Guangxu was nearing his death. "On the night of the 21st of that month, a bright star flew from the northwest, passed through Jilong, with a sound like thunder, a tail dozens of feet long, and a dazzling light. The star finally flew to the southeast and fell (Yang Baohua 1988, 259)." Emperor Guangxu's health deteriorated daily, and he passed away on November 14th of that year. The very next day, November 15th, Empress Dowager Cixi, who had dominated the Qing Dynasty, also died at the age of 74 in the Summer Palace, which she cherished.

Empress Dowager Cixi, the Iron Lady who ruled for 48 years. Her life was full of ups and downs, and numerous stories surrounding her life are still told today. Can she truly be called a cruel and wicked ruler who led to the downfall of the Qing Dynasty, or was she a lonely woman of the imperial family hidden behind a life of splendor? Certainly, we can see cruel aspects of Empress Dowager Cixi. However, as the saying goes, history is on the side of the victors, and it is plausible that after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, her story was distorted by the great powers and portrayed as an even more cruel woman. Furthermore, she was not an excellent ruler. For her political or personal gain, she sometimes acted cruelly, and at other times put national interests aside. Yet, on the other hand, we can also see her efforts to save the Qing Dynasty through various means amidst the intensifying foreign invasions. These aspects of Empress Dowager Cixi are not so different from those of countless politicians in human history and contemporary politicians. If we re-examine Empress Dowager Cixi from various perspectives, can we solely criticize her?

Epilogue

Having been outside all day, I was so cold that everyone quickly left the Summer Palace. I wanted to take at least one more photo for the field trip report, but I was kicked out as the Summer Palace was closing. The feeling of getting into the car after the presentation was pure happiness. All the fatigue and tension I felt while preparing for the presentation late last night, and the cold I felt all day, melted away with the warmth of the car. With a lighter heart, I headed to tonight's highlight, a dim sum restaurant. After eating my fill of endless dim sum, I received a foot massage and drifted off to sleep before I knew it. ■

5. The Summer Palace: Where Empress Dowager Cixi Breathed Let's Watch and Think Together! Lee Ju-won: I remember how cold it was! But Sister Seon-kyung bravely delivered her presentation.

If it hadn't been for the cold weather, we could have visited places like the Stone Boat that you wanted to go to...

A 'Tenacious Presentation' that successfully showed us Empress Dowager Cixi's life despite the adverse conditions!

Kim Min-geol: In a domestic context where indifference or negative perceptions of Empress Dowager Cixi are prevalent, it was interesting from the reader's perspective to see the article unfold with the theme of 'Revisiting Empress Dowager Cixi'.

In a domestic context where indifference or negative perceptions of Empress Dowager Cixi are prevalent, it was interesting from the reader's perspective to see the article unfold with the theme of 'Revisiting Empress Dowager Cixi'.

It was also impressive how the article presented different aspects of Empress Dowager Cixi as revealed through the spaces, depending on the nature of each area.

Oh Seung-hee: Perhaps because we visited the Summer Palace, a summer palace, in winter, the buildings and trees looked cold and desolate. However, thanks to Seon-kyung's passionate presentation against the cold winter wind, we were able to encounter Empress Dowager Cixi as a politician and a woman, beyond the existing prejudice.

Kim Yu-jeong: As expected of a 'Summer Palace,' the Summer Palace was colder than any other place. I wonder if we could have felt the true charm of a summer palace if we had visited in midsummer instead of December. Although not as grand as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace also possesses a unique sense of grandeur. The height of Longevity Hill suggested the depth of the lake, and as I watched the sunset over the lake along the long corridor, I wondered what Empress Dowager Cixi thought while walking this path. While strolling, I wondered

the cold winter wind, thanks to Seon-kyung's passionate presentation, we were able to encounter Empress Dowager Cixi as a politician and a woman, beyond the existing prejudice.

beyond the existing prejudice.

we were able to encounter Empress Dowager Cixi as a politician and a woman, beyond the existing prejudice.

As expected of a 'Summer Palace,' the Summer Palace was colder than any other place. I wonder if we could have felt the true charm of a summer palace if we had visited in midsummer instead of December. Although not as grand as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace also possesses a unique sense of grandeur. The height of Longevity Hill suggested the depth of the lake, and as I watched the sunset over the lake along the long corridor, I wondered what Empress Dowager Cixi thought while walking this path. While strolling, I wondered

I wonder if we could have felt the true charm of a summer palace if we had visited in midsummer instead of December. Although not as grand as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace also possesses a unique sense of grandeur. The height of Longevity Hill suggested the depth of the lake, and as I watched the sunset over the lake along the long corridor, I wondered what Empress Dowager Cixi thought while walking this path. While strolling, I wondered

Although not as grand as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace also possesses a unique sense of grandeur. The height of Longevity Hill suggested the depth of the lake, and as I watched the sunset over the lake along the long corridor, I wondered what Empress Dowager Cixi thought while walking this path. While strolling, I wondered

The height of Longevity Hill suggested the depth of the lake, and as I watched the sunset over the lake along the long corridor, I wondered what Empress Dowager Cixi thought while walking this path. While strolling, I wondered

and as I watched the sunset over the lake along the long corridor, I wondered what Empress Dowager Cixi thought while walking this path. While strolling, I wondered

I wondered what Empress Dowager Cixi thought while walking this path. While strolling, I wondered

what Empress Dowager Cixi thought while walking this path. While strolling, I wondered

Walking along a corridor at a suitable distance for contemplation, one could question whether Empress Dowager Cixi herself had reasons she could not avoid making such choices at that time, and whether, in hindsight, she can only be blamed. Perhaps it was because the sun set earlier due to the winter, but an inexplicable sense of desolation, combined with the melody of a musician playing an instrument while leaning against the palace wall and gazing at the lake, was perfect for recalling the tragic stories of the late Qing Dynasty. It left a lingering thought that this is a matter to continue contemplating: how to overcome that pain and what 'Chinese Dream' to pursue.

she herself concluded that 'women should not engage in politics.' (Though it is not the first time women have been blamed when a country collapses.) Perhaps the space of the Summer Palace, which was intended for leisure rather than official duties away from the center, itself reflects the limitations Empress Dowager Cixi faced as a female leader of China, and in modern times, it may also fully represent the limitations in evaluating her.

Shin Boram: Because Empress Dowager Cixi was a woman, her political methods and the way she built legitimacy were fundamentally different from traditional ones.

This exceptionality coincided with the decline of the Qing Dynasty, leading her to conclude that 'women should not engage in politics'.

(It is not the first time women have been blamed when a country falls.) Perhaps the Summer Palace, a place for leisure rather than official duties, situated away from the center,

as a female leader of China, represented the limitations Empress Dowager Cixi faced, and in modern times, the limitations in evaluating her.

5. The Summer Palace: Where Empress Dowager Cixi Breathes

Lee Jaesung: While touring the Old Summer Palace, I still remember Seonkyung practicing her presentation out loud.

At that time, I was watching Seonkyung with a detached amusement, like watching a fire from across the river.

Without Seonkyung's explanation, I would have just seen the Old Summer Palace as a riverside park or a theme park.

Thanks to her explanation, I also heard stories about Empress Dowager Cixi related to the Summer Palace.

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*This text is an AI translation of an original written in Korean. Some translations or nuances may be inaccurate.

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