In August 1959, the guesthouse was completed and put into operation, and named as “Diaoyutai State Guesthouse”. On September 26, it was used to receive the party and government delegations of 11 socialist countries, including the former Soviet Union, to attend the celebration ceremony of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the PRC.
In May 1979, Villa 5 and Villa 6 were open to the public. The first self-supporting guests were the delegations of the Western economic circles.
On January 13, 1997, the Diaoyutai Grand Hotel of the Diaoyutai Hotel Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was founded.
In 1999, the brand concept focusing on “Service, Dining, History, and Garden” was first put forth. On the 40th anniversary of the building of the DSG in October 1999, “Diaoyutai” branded Baijiu was born, heralding the strategy of product excellence of “Diaoyutai”.
On July 10, 2006, the underground pipe network renovation project was started, and finally completed and accepted in May 2008.
During the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit from November 1 to 6, 2006, the DSG received ten heads of African states and governments, accounting for one fifth of the total heads from Africa.
On April 1, 2007, “Imperial Garden” Project was started, and completed and put into use in July 2008.
From August 6 to September 18, 2008, the DSG received eight heads of foreign states and governments attending activities of Beijing Olympic Games and Beijing Paralympic Games.
In October 2009, the commemoration activities of “the 50th anniversary of the building of Diaoyutai State Guesthouse” were held.
In March 2014, Fanghua Garden was put into operation.
In May 2017, the DSG received leaders of six countries such as Vietnam, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Myanmar who attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. 50 conferences and meetings involving 1,531 attendees were held, and 1,697 persons with 67 banquets were treated.
In April 2019, the DSG received leaders of three countries such as Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan who attended the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and assisted the activities for leaders’ spouses.
In November 2019, the commemoration activities of “the 60th anniversary of the building of Diaoyutai State Guesthouse” were held.
Boasting a long history of over 800 years, Diaoyutai was a palace for the emperors in the Jin Dynasty. Emperor Zhangzong Wanyan Jing (1168-1208) used to visit here and go angling. Thus, it was called “ancient pavilion for the emperor’s angling”. Lian Xixian (1231-1280), Prime Minister of the Yuan Dynasty, built a villa Wanliu Hall here, designed a Qinglu Hall over a pool, and planted 100 willows around the pool, making here a popular spot. In the Ming Dynasty, it became the dwelling place for royal families and senior officials.
In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Imperial Garden was expanded, reaching the heyday in the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1796). In 1774, Diaoyutai Building (present Wanghai Building), and a dozen of palaces, houses, and pavilions were built. In 1776, Diaoyutai Palace was completed, including such four major buildings as Yangyuan Hall, Xiaobi Pavilion, Chengyi Pavilion, and Diaoyutai City. The three Chinese characters “Diao Yu Tai” and a poem inscribed and written by Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) were placed on the eastern and western sides of the terrace. After the reign of Emperor Tongzhi (1861-1874), imperial families often settled here when they visited the Western Mausoleums and the Summer Palace.
During the period after the 1911 Revolution, the abdicated Emperor Puyi (1906-1967) still “maintained the honorific title”, and presented Diaoyutai to his teacher Chen Baochen (1848-1935). Chen “renovated the old yards, repaired old buildings, and unblocked the water and springs”. Chen often received guests here, and wrote poems to record the times. He collected the poems into one book. It is worth mentioning that, Chen treated Japanese calligraphy and painting connoisseur Komuro Suiun and invited him to watch Chen’s collected calligraphy and painting works at Diaoyutai in 1921, marking the first reception of the foreign guest in the history of Diaoyutai.
Since ancient times from the Yuan Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, many literati had written poems to praise Diaoyutai, among which over 100 poems have been passed down. These poems witness the rise and fall of Diaoyutai, and endow the garden with profound culture.
Overview of landscape
ancient building of the DSG
This highest place in the Imperial Garden. You can overlook the scenery of the whole villa and view the beauty of the Western Hill. The surrounding dense and huge pines and cypresses, bridges, and pools embody the feature of Chinese ancient gardens.
It is the main palace built by Emperor Qianlong, and the three Chinese characters “Yang Yuan Zhai” were inscribed by Qianlong. Tall trees and winding corridors embody the feature of Chinese ancient gardens. Now it is a vital site for meeting and greeting important figures.
The Pavilion is designed with exquisite panes and crystal glass. The three Chinese characters “Xiao Bi Xuan” were inscribed by Emperor Qianlong. Boasting clear waters, weeping willows, blooming lotus flowers, and tranquil environment, it is the optimal place for angling.
It has houses in three sides. The rolling hills, stone bridges, narrow paths, lush pine and cypresses, secluded paths, winding corridors, and springs embody the interest of gardens.
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