The Empress CiXi

Empress Dowager CiXi in a photo (above) and in a painting (below) began as a concubine and rose to control the Chinese government for almost 50 years, from 1861 until her death in 1908. CiXi was popularly known as the "West Empress Dowager" (西太后) because she lived inside the western Chuxiu Palace, while her rival until 1881, Ci'an, was popularly known as the "East Empress Dowager" because she lived in the eastern Zhongcui Palace.

One of the legacies of the Empress is the (new) Summer Palace, part of which is shown below. In the 1880’s, after it had fallen into disrepair, she ordered it rebuilt and expanded. In 1900, this new palace was partly destroyed by the European powers, repeating what had happened in 1860 to the old palace (link). But, this time, repairs were made and most of the new Summer Palace can be visited today.