Constructed during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (r. 1661–1722) in the Qing dynasty, it was originally named "Xichun Garden" (熙春园; 熙春園; Xīchūn Yuán).
After Miankai's death, Xichun Garden was inherited by his adopted son, Yicong (Prince Dun).
In 1860, during the Second Opium War, the Anglo-French forces destroyed Jinchun Garden while burning down the Old Summer Palace.
The garden fell into disrepair for some years before the imperial government approved a request by the foreign affairs ministry to build a school on the land.
In 1913, the Qinghua School formally acquired the former Jinchun Garden and the surrounding areas, and gradually expanded over time to become the present-day Tsinghua University.