Each photograph holds a story, a piece that contributes to the mosaic of a historical era.
At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the influx of Western culture brought many modern technologies to China. With the advent of photography, people were able to preserve invaluable snapshots of life. Today, these photographs allow us to visualize what life was like for the citizens and what transpired within the Forbidden City during the late Qing Dynasty.
Empress Wanrong
Wanrong – The last Empress of the Qing Dynasty.
This photograph captures Empress Wanrong, the last empress of the Qing Dynasty. She entered the palace at the age of 16 as empress. Many accounts describe her as a lady of noble birth, possessing youthful beauty, jet-black hair, fair skin, and a gentle, soft-spoken demeanor.
After Emperor Puyi was expelled from the Forbidden City, Wanrong also left the palace, ending her life in a tragic fate marked by opium addiction, passing away at the age of 40 in a prison camp in Yanji.
Bedroom in the Changchun Palace
Bedroom in the Changchun Palace in the early 20th century.
This is a bedroom in the Changchun Palace from the early 20th century, believed to be the residence of Concubine Wenxiu. At this time, the great hall was illuminated with electric lights, and featured a Western-style iron bed. It is noted that Concubine Wenxiu initiated a “revolution” by divorcing Puyi due to her inability to tolerate his poor decisions.
She later remarried but also passed away young at the age of 44 without having children.
A corner of the Yangxin Hall
This was the actual residence of the emperors during the mid to late Qing Dynasty.
This is the bedroom in the Yangxin Hall, built in the 16th year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty. It served as the true residence of emperors during the mid to late Qing Dynasty. The architecture, art, and culture of this place hold immense value. The Yangxin Hall is located not along the central axis but rather on the western side of the Forbidden City.
Empress Dowager Cixi admiring falling snow with two ladies-in-waiting
Empress Dowager Cixi enjoying the winter snowfall.
This image captures Empress Dowager Cixi enjoying the winter snowfall. Standing beside her are her two nieces, De Ling and Rong Ling, the daughters of Yu Gong, a diplomatic official of the Qing Dynasty and the only female officials in the palace.
Having lived abroad from a young age, De Ling and Rong Ling were educated in advanced Western traditions. Upon returning to China, they were greatly favored by Empress Dowager Cixi.
In her later years, De Ling moved to the United States, where she wrote memoirs and published books about life in the palace, while Rong Ling became a famous dancer but tragically lost her legs in an accident.
Empress Dowager Cixi on a pleasure boat
This photograph was taken on July 16, 1903.
This image shows Empress Dowager Cixi and her attendants, as photographed by Yu Xunling, a palace photographer, on July 16, 1903. Alongside Empress Dowager Cixi are several notable figures, including Empress Longyu, various concubines, and favored courtiers.
The biological mother of Emperor Puyi
The biological mother of Emperor Puyi was a woman of noble status, unparalleled beauty, and elegant demeanor…
The biological mother of Puyi, named Aolan, was the daughter of the Grand Councilor Yinglu and was related to Empress Dowager Cixi. From a young age, she was adopted by Empress Dowager Cixi and later forced into marriage with Prince Chun Zaifeng.
She is described as having a noble status, unparalleled beauty, an elegant demeanor, and impeccable makeup. After marrying Zaifeng, Aolan bore him two sons and three daughters, including Puyi, although their marriage was not particularly happy due to being forced.
A court official and his beautiful wife
A minister and his wife during the late Qing Dynasty.
This is an old photograph of a minister and his wife from the late Qing Dynasty. In the classic image, the minister is dressed in formal attire, appearing dignified and solemn. Beside him is his wife, who has a delicate face and is dressed elegantly and neatly.
Concubine Wenxiu playing with a puppy
Concubine Wenxiu.
This is Concubine Wenxiu, one of the consorts of Emperor Puyi at the end of the Qing Dynasty, engrossed in play with a puppy.
Young Emperor Puyi
Emperor Puyi at the age of 5.
This is a photograph of Emperor Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, taken when he was 5 years old, three years after ascending to the throne. On February 12, 1912, Puyi abdicated following the Xinhai Revolution led by Sun Yat-sen.
The remnants of the Jianfu Palace after the fire in 1923
Despite efforts to extinguish the fire, all that remained was a pile of ashes.
On the night of June 26, 1923, at around 9 PM, the Jianfu Palace in the Forbidden City, Beijing, suddenly caught fire. The flames spread rapidly from the Jingyixuan to the Yinxu Hall, engulfing surrounding palaces in a sea of fire. Despite attempts to extinguish the fire, all that remained was a pile of ashes. Many priceless national treasures from previous emperors stored there were also burned, which infuriated Emperor Puyi.
Guards in the Forbidden City
Real-life guards do not have overly tall and muscular physiques.
This is an old photograph taken by Liang Shitai, a palace photographer, of the guards in 1863. Unlike in period films, the real-life guards did not have overly tall and muscular physiques. However, they still maintained their dignified appearance.
- How did the lives of Chinese people change at the end of the Qing Dynasty?
- A series of photographs depicting the luxurious lives of women during the Qing Dynasty: Some dressed up for photos, others gathered to chat with friends
- The most valuable old photographs from the end of the Qing Dynasty: The Forbidden City and the lives of the people vividly depicted
