When the Garden of Clear Ripples (the initial name of the Summer Palace) was built in 1749, Emperor Qianlong (of the Qing Dynasty) originally ordered to build a nine-story tower inside the garden as part of the Great Temple of Gratitude and Longevity.当1749年清漪园建成时，乾隆皇帝最初在这里建起了一栋9层宝塔作为延寿寺的一部分。

But he changed his mind when eight stories had been completed, and then he ordered to build a three-story octagonal tower with four eaves.但是当第八层完成时，他改变了主意，并下令建造一栋三层高八角形四重檐的阁楼。

Unfortunately, the Second Anglo-Chinese War that ended in 1860 reduced all wooden architectures to ashes, including the original Tower of Buddhist Incense. Only the stone base was left.不幸的是，结束于1860年的第二次鸦片战争使得木制建筑全为灰烬,包括最初的佛香阁，只剩下石头地基。

Then, it was restored to the present state in 1891, the 17th year of Emperor Guangxu’s reign.然后，在1891年光绪17年被重建为现在的样子。

The restoration project consumed over 780,000 liang of silver, being one of the largest buildings of the Summer Palace.这项重建项目花了780 000多两银子，成了颐和园最大的的建筑之一。

Built on a 20-meter-tall stone base, the Tower of Buddhist Incense is sustained by eight iron pillars.佛香阁建在20米高的石基地上，八个铁柱子支撑。

The 41-meter-high tower is rather complicated considering the overall structure.考虑到整体结构41米高的阁楼相当复杂。

Thanks to its grandeur, elaborate pattern and the location on top of the Longevity Hill, it has long been counted as the central building of the Summer Palace.由于其富丽堂皇，精心设计和在万寿山的顶部,佛香阁一直被认为颐和园中心建筑。

Amitabha was worshiped in the tower. On every first and 15th days of the lunar month, Empress Dowager Cixi would burn incense sticks and prayed for blessings.阁内供奉着“接引佛”。农历每月初一和十五，慈禧太后会烧香祈福。

Tourists can have a bird’s-eye view of Kunming Lake, and Yuquan Hill and the pagoda on the hill to the west when standing on the Tower of Buddhist Incense.由于游客可以在佛香阁可以鸟瞰昆明湖、西面的玉泉山和可爱的宝塔，

Therefore, the Tower of Buddhist Incense has been considered the perfect place for sightseeing and photography.所以佛香阁一直被视为是观光和摄影的完美地方。

Source: kekenet.com