In Beijing, China, the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse contains ancient relics that require a high level of clearance to access.

Diaoyutai's history can be traced back to 1115 AD, when Beijing was not yet called "Beijing" but was the capital of the Jin Dynasty, known as "Zhongdu."

Emperor Zhangzong of the Jin Dynasty, admiring the beautiful scenery, built a fishing terrace here, thus giving it the straightforward name "Diaoyutai," despite the seemingly casual naming.

Since Emperor Zhangzong's time, Diaoyutai has become a gathering place for high-ranking officials and nobles. The people frequenting this place were either emperors, prime ministers, or social elites, making it a spot rarely accessible to common folk.

Over time, Diaoyutai experienced periods of prosperity and decline.

The most glorious period for Diaoyutai was during the Qianlong era.

Emperor Qianlong, inheriting a vast wealth with no financial pressures, indulged in traveling and enjoying scenic spots.

The beauty of Diaoyutai aligned with Qianlong's interests, and he designated it as an imperial palace, constructing many buildings such as Yangyuan Zhai, Qinglu Tang, Xiaobi Xuan, Chengyi Pavilion, and Wanghai Tower—all built during Qianlong's reign.

Emperor Qianlong loved inscribing poems and painting, leaving many inscriptions on these buildings.

The plaque at the entrance of Yangyuan Zhai, with the characters "Yangyuan Zhai" written by Qianlong himself, has been preserved to this day, which is quite remarkable.

In 1958, when the State Guesthouse was being constructed, the initial site was not chosen at Diaoyutai but considered various places around Beijing.

After weighing the pros and cons, it was finally decided to build the State Guesthouse on the ancient Diaoyutai site.

The scenic beauty and well-maintained greenery required only the construction of 17 villas, without additional landscaping, significantly shortening the construction period and saving costs.

With China's rising international status, Diaoyutai became closely associated with the State Guesthouse, forming the unified "Diaoyutai State Guesthouse" which draws global attention annually.

Today, the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse consists of 17 two-story villas, covering an area of 430,000 square meters, with a 50,000-square-meter lake around which the villas are situated.

While we are more familiar with the newly built villas, we know little about the ancient buildings within the grounds.

Below is an exterior view of Yangyuan Zhai, exuding a classic charm and displaying the grandeur of an imperial palace.

Yangyuan Zhai consists of a meeting hall and a banquet hall. The banquet hall is luxuriously decorated, especially with palace lanterns adding an antique atmosphere, making one feel as if transported back in time.

Currently, Yangyuan Zhai is used to receive important foreign guests, and dining here indicates a close relationship with China.

Tongle Garden features charming bridges and flowing waters, especially under the night sky, creating a dreamy ambiance.

In the night, Tongle Garden's modern lighting complements the ancient buildings, showcasing centuries of historical culture.

In the garden, tables and chairs are set up in open spaces, providing a delightful experience under the moonlight.

The interior of Tongle Garden includes long corridors and small pavilions.

A corner of the living room in Tongle Garden displays many artifacts, some of which were used by the royal family. The lighting fixtures are designed as palace lanterns, enriching the ancient ambiance.

There are many more ancient buildings within the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, but due to limited information, only the above content is shared here.

Next, let's look at the beautiful scenery within the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse grounds.

The State Guesthouse features a central lake of 50,000 square meters, running north to south, connecting the old Diaoyutai palace with the 17 newly built villas, harmonizing the layout.

The sunrise and sunset over the central lake are particularly beautiful. The bridges, pavilions, and winding paths retain their ancient appearances. Below is the stone bridge in the center of the lake.

Walking along the stone bridge, one soon arrives at the lakeside pavilion.

At night, the lakeside pavilion is peaceful and beautiful, standing silently through centuries, witnessing the fleeting glories of countless visitors.

Walking along the tree-lined paths within the grounds, with ancient trees on either side and modern asphalt roads underfoot, feels like traveling through time, blending the past with the present, as if standing between history and reality.

Since its establishment, the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse has welcomed countless heads of state and social elites. Although each had their moment of glory, they eventually fade into history, while Diaoyutai stands quietly, seeing off wave after wave of guests.

Diaoyutai remains silent, witnessing the comings and goings of famous figures, high officials, and nobles, until they disappear into oblivion.