Beijing Old News

Author: Lu Qun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: In the late Qing Dynasty, in the history of China, it was almost synonymous with the term "loss of sovereignty and national humiliation." The Opium War opened the door of China, followed by the Eight-Nation Alliance's capture of Beijing. Empress Dowager Cixi, along with Emperor Guangxu, fled in haste to the "Western Hunt," wandering along the way with only irregular meals of. In Beijing, the situation was even worse—the Summer Palace was burned, nobles and officials either drowned themselves or hanged themselves, while ordinary people suffered massacres and sexual assaults. The suffering of the common people near the imperial palace during the late Qing era, apart from the Nanjing Massacre during the War of Resistance, is hard to find similar examples in historical records. The various scenes of life in late Qing Beijing were published in the Dian Shi Zhai Huabao, many of which would not have been possible before the Tongzhi era and would not occur again afterward. In particular, the social mentality of the late Qing period is vividly displayed through these paintings and texts, providing with rich supplementary material for studying the history of that time. Additionally, these illustrations and texts have strong entertainment value—they are enjoyable to look at and easy to read. If someone is only looking to pass the time, flipping through these images and texts during leisure hours can be a delightful experience. In modern life, with its fast pace and constant mental tension, people especially need relaxation. Therefore, the illustrations and texts in the Dian Shi Zhai Huabao are particularly suitable—they can both soothe the mind and provide additional knowledge, which is truly a good thing.