14. The Old Summer Palace, Beijing
China’s Old Summer Palace, known as Yuanmingyuan, was renowned for its expansive gardens and architectural splendor. In 1860, during the Second Opium War, British and French forces looted and destroyed the palace, burning it to the ground. Much of its art and artifacts were looted or destroyed, making restoration impossible. Today, the site remains a poignant symbol of cultural loss. (britannica.com).
