Situated in the Haidian District northwest of Beijing, Summer Palace is 9 miles from central Beijing. The construction started in 1750 as a luxurious royal garden for royal families to rest and entertain. It later became the main residence of royal members in the end of the Qing Dynasty. Over the years, it has been destroyed by fire, and attacks from outside forces and restored several times. In 1924, it was open to the public. Since 1998 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.