On March 28, 1977, Beijing's Summer Palace welcomed a visitor named Patricia Lee Lewis amid the chilly weather that hinted at the warmth of early spring. This treasure trove of Qing Dynasty imperial garden art received the foreign visitor who captured these old photographs of the Summer Palace. At that time, China had just begun to open up to the outside world.

The Summer Palace, originally constructed by Emperor Qianlong as a birthday gift for his mother, blends the intricate beauty of Jiangnan gardens with the grandeur of northern landscapes. Its history, further embellished by Empress Dowager Cixi's restoration efforts, adds a legendary touch to this royal garden.

Visitors to Beijing's Summer Palace curiously observed the foreigner taking photographs. Back then, foreigners visiting China were so rare that each one seemed quite exotic. Things are different now; tourist attractions across the country are filled with visitors from abroad.