The Most Valuable Old Photos from the Late Qing Dynasty: The Forbidden City and the Daily Life of the People Clearly Depicted

Captured 150 years ago, this series of photographs is one of the most valuable and authentic documentation of the historical feudal era in China.

The photographs below hold significant historical value as they are among the first taken when photography was introduced to China. These images were taken approximately 150 years ago, during the late reign of Emperor Xianfeng and the early period of Empress Dowager Cixi’s rule.

An official in Guangzhou poses for a photo with his wife in a studio. The insignia on his chest is blurred, making it impossible to determine the image’s clarity or the rank of this official. His wife was honored by the court with the title of “noble consort.” The photo was taken around 1861 – 1864.

The insignia (commonly referred to as bozi) can also be called “hung boi” or “guan bo”, which is a square or round piece of fabric affixed to the chest and back of the official robes of officials during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Different ranks used insignia with various patterns.

Based on the beads the official in the photo above is wearing around his neck, it can be inferred that he holds a civil service rank of fifth grade or higher. Officials of the fifth grade and lower cannot wear bead necklaces, which are referred to as “Chaozhou.”

A large family of commoners. Photo taken after 1862.

A classroom in Guangzhou in 1863.

Following the Second Opium War, more Western photographers began bringing cameras to China, such as Felice Beato, Milton Miller, and William Sanders. The photographs in this article were all taken by them.

The East City Gate, An Ding Men, in the inner city of Beijing during the 1860s. The East City Gate is a small wall outside the city gate. To the left of it is the Cheng Lou, and to the right is the Qian Lou.

Wu Men, the Forbidden City in 1860. When this photograph was taken, Emperor Xianfeng had fled to Rehe (a former province in China).

A photograph of the Forbidden City taken from White Pagoda Hill in 1860.

The two panoramic photographs of the Forbidden City and Wu Men above are among the earliest images capturing the full view of the Forbidden City, holding significant historical importance. Notably, 2020 marked the 600th anniversary of the completion of the Forbidden City.

Image of Summer Palace in 1860. This is the first photograph taken after the Summer Palace was looted and set ablaze by British and French troops in October 1860.

A photograph of the Chinese giant Chang Cheh and a Western man in 1864. At the time of the photo, Chang Cheh was 23 years old. Standing over 2 meters tall, he was taken by an art company to perform around the world. He later settled in England and married a local woman.

A photograph of a fortune teller in 1868. He was invited into the studio by the Western photographer to take this picture.

An old street corner in Shanghai in 1863.

Two beggars display their ‘harvest’ after exiting a house. One is beaming with a “harvest smile,” while the other has nothing. Both have sunburned faces and gaunt figures from wandering the alleys begging for food. In the late Qing Dynasty, societal turmoil led many to live in poverty, with some so desperate they resorted to begging.

In the biting cold wind, a mother and her two children appear sorrowful. Their clothes are tattered and old, having gone years without washing. Notably, both the mother and daughter have their feet bound, a custom of the time.

Two shirtless men sit enjoying tea. In their hands are bead necklaces indicating their wealth. Men during the Qing Dynasty traditionally shaved half their heads and braided their hair into a queue, a practice that lasted for centuries.

This photograph was taken in the yard of a family of five. Observing the attire of the three children, it is evident that the family is quite wealthy. Their clothing is new, clean, and intact, contrasting sharply with the three from the photo above. This illustrates the stark wealth disparity among the population.

Two well-dressed men, one playing a lute, the other playing a flute. They seem to be enjoying their leisure time with their hobbies.

A prisoner paraded in a wooden cage for the crimes committed. However, looking at the photo, he seems unfazed by this punishment. On the contrary, this prisoner smiles at the camera despite the many eyes watching his actions.

A photograph of a Qing Dynasty official alongside a foreign official. The Qing official wears a fur coat, a feathered hat, and jade accessories, while the foreign official is dressed in a military uniform observing him.

A young nobleman stepping out of the door with a servant holding a birdcage. Individuals like this nobleman are born into privilege, not worrying about food or clothing, inheriting the wealth left by their ancestors. However, during the Qing Dynasty, the number of such individuals was excessive, leading many to a tragic fate after the feudal system ended.

A family of officials with both a primary wife and concubines, as often depicted in historical dramas. In reality, during the Qing Dynasty, only wealthy families could afford multiple wives, while the poor struggled to find a spouse.

An image of a rickshaw driver transporting two wealthy women. Rickshaws were considered the “taxis” of Shanghai in the 1870s.

An image of three women wearing neck yokes. This was a punishment for minor offenses at the end of the Qing Dynasty. The photo was taken around 1880.

A courtroom scene in 1866, depicting a trial in the late Qing Dynasty.

Barbers on a street corner in 1875. During the Qing Dynasty, people had to shave half their heads and wear their hair in a braid. Consequently, the barber profession became popular.

A man holding an umbrella sitting in a rickshaw. The rickshaw driver pulls them from behind.

Wealthy ladies from the late Qing Dynasty. The photo was taken around 1880. The women in the picture have benevolent faces. Three women are seated, dressed in luxurious attire and wearing jewelry.

A lady from Shanghai, coming from a wealthy family. This lady has small feet due to foot binding from a young age. The photo was taken in the 1870s.

A man trimming nails on the street in 1875. This was a service that developed towards the end of the Qing Dynasty, similar to hair cutting. In the image, the elderly man is carefully trimming the toenails of a young customer.

An image of a rickshaw carrying passengers on one side and livestock on the other. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, rickshaws were very popular. They not only transported people but also carried goods and livestock, if requested by customers. The photo was taken around 1875.