The Anglo-French allied army, as they ransacked the Yuanmingyuan, or the Old Summer Palace of the Qing dynasty during the Second Opium War in 1860, looted many of the beautiful cultural artefacts and destroyed what they could not carry away. It is said that many of the looted artefacts can be found in museums across the world.
According to records, the palace was constructed during the 18th and early 19th centuries, and was the royal residence of the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing dynasty and his successors. The complex consisted of palaces known for their architecture, and historical and art treasures, and a maze of beautiful gardens.
Chinese archaeologists have been restoring and repairing the artefacts in phases. The authorities named the project &lsquoRestoration 1860&rsquo and the third phase was launched recently. Among the objects restored, there are 24 relics recovered from the Western Mansions of the complex, a section known for its European-style garden decorated with marble monuments and glazed tiles and other artefacts. Talking to CGTN, archaeologist Chen Hui attached to the Palace's administrative office, said that the cultural relics in the palace were similar to that found in the Forbidden City  as &lsquobeautiful and impressive&rsquo.