Yuan Ming Yuan was the first place we visited as a class. Built in the Qing Dynasty, and otherwise known as the Garden of Perfection and Brightness, it is located really close to our hotel, about a 20 minute bike ride. Yuan Ming Yuan was once filled with beautiful gardens and architecture, but it was burnt down in the 1860's when the Anglo-French army invaded Beijing. Before restoration could be completed, Yuan Ming Yuan was again set on fire in the 1900's, leaving most of the place in ruins.
Oliver prepares to leap across the gap.
Although not visible from this picture,
this is actually a maze! It took us a while to get to the center of the
pavilion. A couple of us simply hopped the walls instead of trying to find our
way through the maze.