With its handsome buildings ,pretty scenery and tumultuous history, the Summer Palace is a wonderful palace to explore. As long ago as the Yuan dynasty ,officials set up their private gardens in the scenic area, but the appearance until the reign of Emperor Qianlong of Qing dynasty. He deepened the park's manmade lake and added buildings to serve as a "country home"for his mother ,though it would be the Empress Dowager Cixi who woudl have the biggest impact on the palace's appearance.