The Wenyuan Pavilion relic site in the Old Summer Palace, or Yuanmingyuan, in Beijing Photo: VCG

The Beijing Archaeological Research Institute (BARI) and the Yuanmingyuan Administrative Office jointly unveiled several new discoveries at the site of the Wenyuan Pavilion relic site in the Old Summer Palace, or Yuanmingyuan, in Beijing on Tuesday, clarifying the specific locations of key structures, including palace gates, imperial pathways, waterways, drainage systems, and stairways, according to a report released on its official WeChat account.

In August, researchers began a partial archaeological excavation of the Wenyuan Pavilion site. Zhang Zhonghua, deputy director at BARI, explained that the excavation has confirmed the precise locations of architectural features such as the palace gates, library pavilion and surrounding walls.  

Yang Junshu, an ancient architectural expert, told the Global Times that the "surrounding walls are major elements" that differentiate the Wenyuan Pavilion from other architectural structures in Yuanmingyuan. 

"These walls were designed to meet the Wenyuan Pavilion's function as a repository for books," Yang told the Global Times. She also added that the design reflects how ancient Chinese architectural designs "placed significant emphasis on functional zoning within buildings." 

Considering that books are made from paper and ancient Chinese buildings were mainly wood structures, fire prevention and suppression were key considerations in the library pavilion's design. 

The Wenyuan Pavilion courtyard had a large water pool that served as both decoration and a water source for firefighting. While researchers had previously hypothesized that the pool was fed by a running water system, there had been no definitive evidence until this excavation uncovered a complete water supply and drainage system.  

In addition to its fire prevention, the design of the pool also serves an "aesthetic purpose," enhancing the overall beauty of the Wenyuan Pavilion and aligning with the overall visual experience of Yuanmingyuan, Yang told the Global Times. 

Zhang noted that three drainage ditches were discovered along the southern side of the courtyard walls. Furthermore, a ground drain was found beneath the south wall. The courtyard was designed with a slight elevation inside compared to the outside, which allowed excess water to drain into the front river via the ground drain while some water was retained in the pool. 

"The entire water management system reflects an incredibly thoughtful design," Zhang noted.  

At the base of the pavilion on the east of the library building, known as the "Wenyuan Stele Pavilion," the excavation team uncovered a cross-section that sheds light on how these structures were built. First, a large foundation trench was dug, and ground anchors were driven into the base to prevent sinking or shifting. Stone slabs were then laid atop the anchors, followed by the construction of column bases and strip foundations. The spaces between the column bases and the strip foundations were compacted with a mixture of tamped lime, clay, and sand, creating a solid foundation for the buildings.  

Another major discovery was the base of a massive rock formation centerpiece, known as Lingfeng Stone, located at the center of a pool in front of the library pavilion. The enormous stones forming its foundation were meticulously secured with iron ingot locks and metal clamps, designed to support the multi-meter-high Lingfeng Stone. The intricate construction of these foundations reflects the exceptional precision and craftsmanship of this imperial structure.  

The excavation also revealed the original layout of the ground-level pathways. These roads, paved with irregularly shaped stones, formed a network throughout the courtyard. Notably, several "Y-shaped" branching pathways were discovered, facilitating movement in multiple directions. Such features had not appeared in previous illustrations or records.  

In addition to uncovering the structure of the area, the project uncovered various artifacts, including fragments of famille rose porcelain, blue-and-white porcelain, and glazed architectural components. Among these finds, the most significant are pieces of glazed tiles, including black glazed tiles - historically documented as part of the library's roof.  

Black glaze, associated with water in the Five Phases, or Wuxing, was historically used on the library's roof, with green edges for decoration. The discovery of these black glazed tiles corroborates historical accounts. 

Additionally, yellow glazed tiles bearing the mark of the Jiaqing Emperor's imperial kiln of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) were found, indicating that subsequent dynasties, after the Qianlong Emperor's reign, continued to repair the Wenyuan Pavilion.  

The Wenyuan Pavilion site is located in the northwest section of Yuanmingyuan. Originally built in 1775 during the Qianlong reign, it was one of the grand libraries that housed the Siku Quanshu, or the Complete Library in the Four Branches of Literature, the largest collection of books in ancient China. 

However, the pavilion was destroyed during the looting and burning of Yuanmingyuan by Anglo-French allied forces in 1860. Today, only its ruins remain. 

The current archaeological excavation at the Wenyuan Pavilion site has now concluded, and follow-up research is well underway. The findings are expected to be formally published in 2025, according to the Yuanmingyuan Administrative Office.