Is the life of the people during the Qing Dynasty truly reflective of what we see in films?
The Qing Dynasty is one of the most frequently depicted eras in famous films and historical dramas from China. However, is the life of the people during this time truly as portrayed on screen?
To gain a clearer understanding of the lives of people during this period, a series of old photographs have been colorized using AI technology, offering a more realistic glimpse into this era, with detailed depictions of streets and urban life. Notably, portraits of the most famous courtesans of the time also captivate many.
A rugged-looking man selling sugarcane by the roadside.
Fish seller in the market: In a market area, several fish sellers gather to sell freshly caught fish. During this period, it was also believed that eating fish brought great happiness.
Street letter writer: During the Qing Dynasty, much of the population was illiterate, leading to specialized stalls for letter writing. The bespectacled old man in the photo is one such letter writer.
Two boys around six or seven years old pulling a millstone in front of their house.
A bustling city gate with people trading.
Barber on the street: In ancient times, before specialized barber shops existed, barbers would carry their tools, including a hot water boiler and stool, to offer services on various streets.
Photo in front of the Qing Dynasty post office: At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the government established its own postal system modeled after Western systems. The photo captures the managers and staff in front of the post office, marking the establishment of postal services.
Two courtesans posing for a photo on a chair: At that time, running a brothel was not considered illegal. As a result, beautiful courtesans were as famous as celebrity stars. Similar to many noble-born girls, courtesans also practiced foot binding, resulting in delicate, small feet. During this period, it was believed that the smaller a woman’s feet, the more beautiful she was considered; those with larger feet were seen as unattractive and had difficulty finding a husband. Therefore, foot binding became a mandatory standard.
Four older courtesans in a brothel.
One of the three famous courtesans named Xiao Yingxi.
Sai Jinhua, one of the three most famous courtesans of the time.
Yang Qianhui, one of the famous courtesans.
