Xieqiqu (harmonious wonder) is noted for containing China's first European-style water feature. (Photo provided to China Daily)
In addition, emperors were able to call on the services of the best artists, artisans and workers around the country to build the palaces, something that cannot be replicated today, she says.
In 2009 Guo's team, comprised of specialists in archaeology, history, architecture, gardens, 3D modeling, virtual reality technology, databases, visual arts and internet engineering started using digital technology to bring the Old Summer Palace back to life, thus allowing contemporary audiences to appreciate its splendor.
A mountain of information is needed to make the rendering of scenic spots realistic, especially in showing the details of the buildings. There are more than 10 steps to digital reconstructing each scenic spot.
Based on laborious studies by Guo and her students of the Old Summer Palace and maps drawn up in 1933, 1965 and 2002, the team was aware of how hills and water systems had changed over the years, making it easier to collect and collate information on the sites.
Referring to design drawings when the park was built, paintings and calligraphy works created at that time, and other archives and material, the team analyzed the characteristics of each building and the spatial aspects of the scenic spots and determined the characteristics of special buildings, such as how to arrange artificial hills, flowers and plants.
Researchers then attempted to draw up a plan of each scenic spot and design the buildings, furnishings, decorations and gardens based on the information they got, and then build the 3D scenes.
However, historical archives and other material are far from a complete repository of the information needed.
"Because we are doing rigorous scientific research, we use different colors to mark the sources we refer to," He says,
"The red parts, 15 percent of the total, are built based on remnants at the site," she says, showing an illustration of accuracy analysis. "The green parts, 30 percent of the total, are based on replicating objects, the blue ones are based on photographs, which is about 40 percent, and the other 15 percent are imaginative, based on copperplate etchings.
"We will continue to make this more precise with updated information."
As He Yan presented the Shangxia Tianguang scenic spot, she seemed as proud as an old emperor showing visitors around his place. Based on historical information obtained, six different models in different historical periods were created.
During the Yongzheng period and the early Qianlong period, it was unsymmetrical and the house on one side extended to the lake, but in the middle of the Qianlong period a pavilion was located symmetrically on each side. Other changes occurred to, according to the aesthetic tastes of different emperors.
Guo says her team has completed the accurate digital restoration of 60 percent of the area of the park. The plan is for its tremendous work to be presented in different ways, including virtual reality and a mixed reality show.
It will encourage people to visit the Old Summer Palace and be a guide for them when they are there, she says, and will be useful in education, making films, and creating video games.
"We hope that as our scientific research is put to the service of the public, many more people will be able to enjoy the charm of the Old Summer Palace."
