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Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
A seal, in an East and Southeast Asian context is a general name for printing stamps and impressions thereof which are used in lieu of signatures in personal documents, office paperwork, contracts, art, or any item requiring acknowledgement or authorship. The process started in China and soon spread across East Asia.<br/><br/>

Chinese seals are typically made of stone, sometimes of metals, wood, bamboo, plastic, or ivory, and are typically used with red ink or cinnabar paste.<br/><br/>

Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
A seal, in an East and Southeast Asian context is a general name for printing stamps and impressions thereof which are used in lieu of signatures in personal documents, office paperwork, contracts, art, or any item requiring acknowledgement or authorship. The process started in China and soon spread across East Asia.<br/><br/>

Chinese seals are typically made of stone, sometimes of metals, wood, bamboo, plastic, or ivory, and are typically used with red ink or cinnabar paste.<br/><br/>

Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
A seal, in an East and Southeast Asian context is a general name for printing stamps and impressions thereof which are used in lieu of signatures in personal documents, office paperwork, contracts, art, or any item requiring acknowledgement or authorship. The process started in China and soon spread across East Asia.<br/><br/>

Chinese seals are typically made of stone, sometimes of metals, wood, bamboo, plastic, or ivory, and are typically used with red ink or cinnabar paste.<br/><br/>

Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
A seal, in an East and Southeast Asian context is a general name for printing stamps and impressions thereof which are used in lieu of signatures in personal documents, office paperwork, contracts, art, or any item requiring acknowledgement or authorship. The process started in China and soon spread across East Asia.<br/><br/>

Chinese seals are typically made of stone, sometimes of metals, wood, bamboo, plastic, or ivory, and are typically used with red ink or cinnabar paste.<br/><br/>

Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
Hutong have been around for some seven centuries, dating back to the Yuan dynasty when Kublai Khan established his capital at Dadu, on the site of present-day Beijing. In fact, the word hutong is believed to derive from the Mongolian word hong tong, which means water well.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Liittle is left today.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Little is left today.
Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Little is left today.
Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
Edward Bangs Drew (1843 - 1924) joined the Chinese Maritime Customs Service in 1864 after earning his BA degree from Harvard. In 1868, Drew was appointed a Commissioner of the Service, a position he held for decades.<br/><br/>

During that time he collected photographs that document clothing, customs, and daily life in 19th century China, and of Drew's life and career, including family and social gatherings, public appearances, and events and ceremonies.
Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
Liulichang is a district in Beijing known for a series of traditional Chinese stone houses selling various crafts, arts and antiques. It is one of Beijing's traditional old quarters.
James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine, KT, GCB, PC (20 July 1811 – 20 November 1863), was a British colonial administrator and diplomat. He was the Governor General of the Province of Canada, a High Commissioner in charge of opening trades with China and Japan, and Viceroy of India.
James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine, KT, GCB, PC (20 July 1811 – 20 November 1863), was a British colonial administrator and diplomat. He was the Governor General of the Province of Canada, a High Commissioner in charge of opening trades with China and Japan, and Viceroy of India.
Information on the (mythical) slaughter of the westerners in Beijing appeared in the New York Times of July 20th. The news was carried, according to the Times by a Chinese merchant lately arrived in Shanghai, who was interviewed by a reporter from the London Daily Express. The details were gruesome:<br/><br/>

A Chinese merchant who has just arrived from Peking gives horrible details of the massacre. He says he saw European women hauled into the street by shrieking Boxers, who stripped them and hacked them to pieces. Their dissevered limbs were tossed to the crowd and carried off with howls of triumph. Some were already dead when the massacre began, having been shot by foreign civilians. The merchant says he saw Chinese soldiers carrying the bodies of white children aloft on their spears, while their companions shot at the bodies.<br/><br/>

He gives other details too horrible to be particularized here. It seems that the Boxer leaders had organized a plan, including the offering of rewards and rich loot, for the annihilation of Europeans throughout China, and that Prince Tuan’s Generals have been emphasizing the opportunity the soldiers have of seizing the bodies of white women. According to The Daily Telegraph’s St. Petersburg correspondent, the Russian Government is in possession of definite news that all the foreigners in Peking were massacred on July 15.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Liittle is left today.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Liittle is left today.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Liittle is left today.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Liittle is left today.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Liittle is left today.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Liittle is left today.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Liittle is left today.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Liittle is left today.
Hutong have been around for some seven centuries, dating back to the Yuan dynasty when Kublai Khan established his capital at Dadu, on the site of present-day Beijing. In fact, the word hutong is believed to derive from the Mongolian word hong tong, which means water well.<br/><br/>

The Drum (Gǔlóu) and Bell (Zhōnglóu) towers were originally built in 1272 during the reign of Kublai Khan (r.1260-1294). Emperor Yongle (r. 1402-1424) rebuilt the towers in 1420 and they were again renovated during the reign of Qing Emperor Jiaqing (r. 1796 - 1820).<br/><br/>

Both the Drum and Bell towers were used as timekeepers during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
The Boxer Rebellion, also known as Boxer Uprising or Yihetuan Movement, was a proto-nationalist movement by the Righteous Harmony Society in China between 1898 and 1901, opposing foreign imperialism and Christianity.<br/><br/>

The uprising took place in response to foreign spheres of influence in China, with grievances ranging from opium traders, political invasion, economic manipulation, to missionary evangelism. In China, popular sentiment remained resistant to foreign influences, and anger rose over the 'unequal treaties', which the weak Qing state could not resist.<br/><br/>

Concerns grew that missionaries and Chinese Christians could use this decline to their advantage, appropriating lands and property of unwilling Chinese peasants to give to the church. This sentiment resulted in violent revolts against foreign interests.
The Boxer Rebellion, also known as Boxer Uprising or Yihetuan Movement, was a proto-nationalist movement by the Righteous Harmony Society in China between 1898 and 1901, opposing foreign imperialism and Christianity.<br/><br/>

The uprising took place in response to foreign spheres of influence in China, with grievances ranging from opium traders, political invasion, economic manipulation, to missionary evangelism. In China, popular sentiment remained resistant to foreign influences, and anger rose over the 'unequal treaties', which the weak Qing state could not resist.<br/><br/>

Concerns grew that missionaries and Chinese Christians could use this decline to their advantage, appropriating lands and property of unwilling Chinese peasants to give to the church. This sentiment resulted in violent revolts against foreign interests.
The Boxer Rebellion, also known as Boxer Uprising or Yihetuan Movement, was a proto-nationalist movement by the Righteous Harmony Society in China between 1898 and 1901, opposing foreign imperialism and Christianity.

The uprising took place in response to foreign spheres of influence in China, with grievances ranging from opium traders, political invasion, economic manipulation, to missionary evangelism. In China, popular sentiment remained resistant to foreign influences, and anger rose over the unequal treaties, which the weak Qing state could not resist.

Concerns grew that missionaries and Chinese Christians could use this decline to their advantage, appropriating lands and property of unwilling Chinese peasants to give to the church. This sentiment resulted in violent revolts against foreign interests.
The Boxer Rebellion, also known as Boxer Uprising or Yihetuan Movement, was a proto-nationalist movement by the Righteous Harmony Society in China between 1898 and 1901, opposing foreign imperialism and Christianity.<br/><br/>

The uprising took place in response to foreign spheres of influence in China, with grievances ranging from opium traders, political invasion, economic manipulation, to missionary evangelism. In China, popular sentiment remained resistant to foreign influences, and anger rose over the 'unequal treaties', which the weak Qing state could not resist.<br/><br/>

Concerns grew that missionaries and Chinese Christians could use this decline to their advantage, appropriating lands and property of unwilling Chinese peasants to give to the church. This sentiment resulted in violent revolts against foreign interests.
James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine, KT, GCB, PC (20 July 1811 – 20 November 1863), was a British colonial administrator and diplomat. He was the Governor General of the Province of Canada, a High Commissioner in charge of opening trades with China and Japan, and Viceroy of India.
Yu So Chow (Chinese: 于素秋; pinyin: Yú Sù Qiū; Yale Cantonese: yū sou chāu) is a Chinese actress born in Beijing on July 9, 1930 to a Peking opera family. She is the daughter of late Master Yu Jim Yuen who ran the China Drama Academy, a Peking Opera School in Hong Kong, and teacher of many well-known actors.<br/><br/>

She started her acting career in 1948 and made over 240 films in the wuxia, kung fu, action, detective and Cantonese opera genres. Her films were successful at the box-office and she was one of the most popular superstars of the 1960s in Asia and Hong Kong.
Mei was born in Taizhou, Jiangsu(1894), into a family of Beijing Opera and Kunqu performers. He made his stage debut at the Guanghe Theatre in 1904 when he was 10 years old.<br/><br/>

In his 50-year stage career, he maintained strong continuity while always working on new techniques. His most famous roles were those of female characters; skillful portrayal of women won him international acclaim. He also played an important part in continuing the performance tradition of Kunqu.<br/><br/>

In July 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident occurred. The Imperial Japanese Army soon occupied Beijing. The commander of the Japanese Army ordered Mei to perform for them and appointed Mei to a high ranking official position. But Mei refused to sing throughout the duration of the war and endured an impoverished lifestyle until the war ended in 1945.<br/><br/>

Mei was the first artist to spread Beijing Opera to foreign countries, participating in cultural exchanges with Japan, the United States, and other regions. After 1949 he served as the director of the China Beijing Opera Theater, director of the Chinese Opera Research Institute, and vice-chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Between 1926 and 1931 he was married to Beijing Opera star Meng Xiaodong. They had one child.
Mei was born in Taizhou, Jiangsu(1894), into a family of Beijing Opera and Kunqu performers. He made his stage debut at the Guanghe Theatre in 1904 when he was 10 years old.<br/><br/>

In his 50-year stage career, he maintained strong continuity while always working on new techniques. His most famous roles were those of female characters; skillful portrayal of women won him international acclaim. He also played an important part in continuing the performance tradition of Kunqu.<br/><br/>

In July 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident occurred. The Imperial Japanese Army soon occupied Beijing. The commander of the Japanese Army ordered Mei to perform for them and appointed Mei to a high ranking official position. But Mei refused to sing throughout the duration of the war and endured an impoverished lifestyle until the war ended in 1945.<br/><br/>

Mei was the first artist to spread Beijing Opera to foreign countries, participating in cultural exchanges with Japan, the United States, and other regions. After 1949 he served as the director of the China Beijing Opera Theater, director of the Chinese Opera Research Institute, and vice-chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Between 1926 and 1931 he was married to Beijing Opera star Meng Xiaodong. They had one child.
Mei was born in Taizhou, Jiangsu(1894), into a family of Beijing Opera and Kunqu performers. He made his stage debut at the Guanghe Theatre in 1904 when he was 10 years old.<br/><br/>

In his 50-year stage career, he maintained strong continuity while always working on new techniques. His most famous roles were those of female characters; skillful portrayal of women won him international acclaim. He also played an important part in continuing the performance tradition of Kunqu.<br/><br/>

In July 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident occurred. The Imperial Japanese Army soon occupied Beijing. The commander of the Japanese Army ordered Mei to perform for them and appointed Mei to a high ranking official position. But Mei refused to sing throughout the duration of the war and endured an impoverished lifestyle until the war ended in 1945.<br/><br/>

Mei was the first artist to spread Beijing Opera to foreign countries, participating in cultural exchanges with Japan, the United States, and other regions. After 1949 he served as the director of the China Beijing Opera Theater, director of the Chinese Opera Research Institute, and vice-chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Between 1926 and 1931 he was married to Beijing Opera star Meng Xiaodong. They had one child.
Meng Xiaodong was born in Shanghai in 1907 and by the age of 13 was already singing Peking Opera at the Da Shijie 'Great World' Entertainment Complex. During the course of her professional career she sang all over China, always returning to Shanghai. In Chinese opera, she always played bearded men.<br/><br/>

In 1925, Shanghai-born 18 year-old Meng Xiaodong met Mei Lanfang for the first time while performing on stage together during a minister's birthday party in Beijing. Over a year later, she married Mei and became his third wife. They had a daughter together just before their marriage ended in 1931. Reportedly, they never spoke to each other again. In a strange twist of fate, Meng Xiaodong later became the concubine and then fifth wife of Shanghai gangster, Green Gang leader and right wing politician Du Yuesheng ('Big Ears Du').<br/><br/>

Meng Xiaodong moved to Taiwan in the 1960s, died in 1977, and is buried in the Buddhist cemetery at Jinglu Temple at Shanjia, Shulin in Taipei County.
Meng Xiaodong was born in Shanghai in 1907 and by the age of 13 was already singing Peking Opera at the Da Shijie 'Great World' Entertainment Complex. During the course of her professional career she sang all over China, always returning to Shanghai. In Chinese opera, she always played bearded men.<br/><br/>

In 1925, Shanghai-born 18 year-old Meng Xiaodong met Mei Lanfang for the first time while performing on stage together during a minister's birthday party in Beijing. Over a year later, she married Mei and became his third wife. They had a daughter together just before their marriage ended in 1931. Reportedly, they never spoke to each other again. In a strange twist of fate, Meng Xiaodong later became the concubine and then fifth wife of Shanghai gangster, Green Gang leader and right wing politician Du Yuesheng ('Big Ears Du').<br/><br/>

Meng Xiaodong moved to Taiwan in the 1960s, died in 1977, and is buried in the Buddhist cemetery at Jinglu Temple at Shanjia, Shulin in Taipei County.
Meng Xiaodong was born in Shanghai in 1907 and by the age of 13 was already singing Peking Opera at the Da Shijie 'Great World' Entertainment Complex. During the course of her professional career she sang all over China, always returning to Shanghai. In Chinese opera, she always played bearded men.<br/><br/>

In 1925, Shanghai-born 18 year-old Meng Xiaodong met Mei Lanfang for the first time while performing on stage together during a minister's birthday party in Beijing. Over a year later, she married Mei and became his third wife. They had a daughter together just before their marriage ended in 1931. Reportedly, they never spoke to each other again. In a strange twist of fate, Meng Xiaodong later became the concubine and then fifth wife of Shanghai gangster, Green Gang leader and right wing politician Du Yuesheng ('Big Ears Du').<br/><br/>

Meng Xiaodong moved to Taiwan in the 1960s, died in 1977, and is buried in the Buddhist cemetery at Jinglu Temple at Shanjia, Shulin in Taipei County.
Meng Xiaodong was born in Shanghai in 1907 and by the age of 13 was already singing Peking Opera at the Da Shijie 'Great World' Entertainment Complex. During the course of her professional career she sang all over China, always returning to Shanghai. In Chinese opera, she always played bearded men.<br/><br/>

In 1925, Shanghai-born 18 year-old Meng Xiaodong met Mei Lanfang for the first time while performing on stage together during a minister's birthday party in Beijing. Over a year later, she married Mei and became his third wife. They had a daughter together just before their marriage ended in 1931. Reportedly, they never spoke to each other again. In a strange twist of fate, Meng Xiaodong later became the concubine and then fifth wife of Shanghai gangster, Green Gang leader and right wing politician Du Yuesheng ('Big Ears Du').<br/><br/>

Meng Xiaodong moved to Taiwan in the 1960s, died in 1977, and is buried in the Buddhist cemetery at Jinglu Temple at Shanjia, Shulin in Taipei County.
The Boxer Rebellion, also known as Boxer Uprising or Yihetuan Movement, was a proto-nationalist movement by the Righteous Harmony Society in China between 1898 and 1901, opposing foreign imperialism and Christianity.<br/><br/>

The uprising took place in response to foreign spheres of influence in China, with grievances ranging from opium traders, political invasion, economic manipulation, to missionary evangelism. In China, popular sentiment remained resistant to foreign influences, and anger rose over the 'unequal treaties', which the weak Qing state could not resist.<br/><br/>

Concerns grew that missionaries and Chinese Christians could use this decline to their advantage, appropriating lands and property of unwilling Chinese peasants to give to the church. This sentiment resulted in violent revolts against foreign interests.
Mei was born in Taizhou, Jiangsu(1894), into a family of Beijing Opera and Kunqu performers. He made his stage debut at the Guanghe Theatre in 1904 when he was 10 years old.<br/><br/>

In his 50-year stage career, he maintained strong continuity while always working on new techniques. His most famous roles were those of female characters; skillful portrayal of women won him international acclaim. He also played an important part in continuing the performance tradition of Kunqu.<br/><br/>

In July 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident occurred. The Imperial Japanese Army soon occupied Beijing. The commander of the Japanese Army ordered Mei to perform for them and appointed Mei to a high ranking official position. But Mei refused to sing throughout the duration of the war and endured an impoverished lifestyle until the war ended in 1945.<br/><br/>

Mei was the first artist to spread Beijing Opera to foreign countries, participating in cultural exchanges with Japan, the United States, and other regions. After 1949 he served as the director of the China Beijing Opera Theater, director of the Chinese Opera Research Institute, and vice-chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Between 1926 and 1931 he was married to Beijing Opera star Meng Xiaodong. They had one child.
The Boxer Rebellion, also known as Boxer Uprising or Yihetuan Movement, was a proto-nationalist movement by the Righteous Harmony Society in China between 1898 and 1901, opposing foreign imperialism and Christianity.<br/><br/>

The uprising took place in response to foreign spheres of influence in China, with grievances ranging from opium traders, political invasion, economic manipulation, to missionary evangelism. In China, popular sentiment remained resistant to foreign influences, and anger rose over the 'unequal treaties', which the weak Qing state could not resist.<br/><br/>

Concerns grew that missionaries and Chinese Christians could use this decline to their advantage, appropriating lands and property of unwilling Chinese peasants to give to the church. This sentiment resulted in violent revolts against foreign interests.
Mei was born in Taizhou, Jiangsu(1894), into a family of Beijing Opera and Kunqu performers. He made his stage debut at the Guanghe Theatre in 1904 when he was 10 years old.<br/><br/>

In his 50-year stage career, he maintained strong continuity while always working on new techniques. His most famous roles were those of female characters; skillful portrayal of women won him international acclaim. He also played an important part in continuing the performance tradition of Kunqu.<br/><br/>

In July 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident occurred. The Imperial Japanese Army soon occupied Beijing. The commander of the Japanese Army ordered Mei to perform for them and appointed Mei to a high ranking official position. But Mei refused to sing throughout the duration of the war and endured an impoverished lifestyle until the war ended in 1945.<br/><br/>

Mei was the first artist to spread Beijing Opera to foreign countries, participating in cultural exchanges with Japan, the United States, and other regions. After 1949 he served as the director of the China Beijing Opera Theater, director of the Chinese Opera Research Institute, and vice-chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Between 1926 and 1931 he was married to Beijing Opera star Meng Xiaodong. They had one child.
The Second Opium War, the Second Anglo-Chinese War, the Second China War, the Arrow War, or the Anglo-French expedition to China, was a war pitting the British Empire and the Second French Empire against the Qing Dynasty of China, lasting from 1856–1860.
The Boxer Rebellion, also known as Boxer Uprising or Yihetuan Movement, was a proto-nationalist movement by the Righteous Harmony Society in China between 1898 and 1901, opposing foreign imperialism and Christianity.<br/><br/>

The uprising took place in response to foreign spheres of influence in China, with grievances ranging from opium traders, political invasion, economic manipulation, to missionary evangelism. In China, popular sentiment remained resistant to foreign influences, and anger rose over the 'unequal treaties', which the weak Qing state could not resist.<br/><br/>

Concerns grew that missionaries and Chinese Christians could use this decline to their advantage, appropriating lands and property of unwilling Chinese peasants to give to the church. This sentiment resulted in violent revolts against foreign interests.
Meng Xiaodong was born in Shanghai in 1907 and by the age of 13 was already singing Peking Opera at the Da Shijie 'Great World' Entertainment Complex. During the course of her professional career she sang all over China, always returning to Shanghai. In Chinese opera, she always played bearded men.<br/><br/>

In 1925, Shanghai-born 18 year-old Meng Xiaodong met Mei Lanfang for the first time while performing on stage together during a minister's birthday party in Beijing. Over a year later, she married Mei and became his third wife. They had a daughter together just before their marriage ended in 1931. Reportedly, they never spoke to each other again. In a strange twist of fate, Meng Xiaodong later became the concubine and then fifth wife of Shanghai gangster, Green Gang leader and right wing politician Du Yuesheng ('Big Ears Du').<br/><br/>

Meng Xiaodong moved to Taiwan in the 1960s, died in 1977, and is buried in the Buddhist cemetery at Jinglu Temple at Shanjia, Shulin in Taipei County.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Little is left today.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Little is left today.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Little is left today.
The Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) was a complex of three large gardens. It was built during the Qing dynasty for Emperor Qianlong (1711 - 1799). The palace and gardens were seriously damaged by Anglo-French troops in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Little is left today.
Mei was born in Taizhou, Jiangsu(1894), into a family of Beijing Opera and Kunqu performers. He made his stage debut at the Guanghe Theatre in 1904 when he was 10 years old.<br/><br/>

In his 50-year stage career, he maintained strong continuity while always working on new techniques. His most famous roles were those of female characters; skillful portrayal of women won him international acclaim. He also played an important part in continuing the performance tradition of Kunqu.<br/><br/>

In July 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident occurred. The Imperial Japanese Army soon occupied Beijing. The commander of the Japanese Army ordered Mei to perform for them and appointed Mei to a high ranking official position. But Mei refused to sing throughout the duration of the war and endured an impoverished lifestyle until the war ended in 1945.<br/><br/>

Mei was the first artist to spread Beijing Opera to foreign countries, participating in cultural exchanges with Japan, the United States, and other regions. After 1949 he served as the director of the China Beijing Opera Theater, director of the Chinese Opera Research Institute, and vice-chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Between 1926 and 1931 he was married to Beijing Opera star Meng Xiaodong. They had one child.
Mei was born in Taizhou, Jiangsu(1894), into a family of Beijing Opera and Kunqu performers. He made his stage debut at the Guanghe Theatre in 1904 when he was 10 years old.<br/><br/>

In his 50-year stage career, he maintained strong continuity while always working on new techniques. His most famous roles were those of female characters; skillful portrayal of women won him international acclaim. He also played an important part in continuing the performance tradition of Kunqu.<br/><br/>

In July 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident occurred. The Imperial Japanese Army soon occupied Beijing. The commander of the Japanese Army ordered Mei to perform for them and appointed Mei to a high ranking official position. But Mei refused to sing throughout the duration of the war and endured an impoverished lifestyle until the war ended in 1945.<br/><br/>

Mei was the first artist to spread Beijing Opera to foreign countries, participating in cultural exchanges with Japan, the United States, and other regions. After 1949 he served as the director of the China Beijing Opera Theater, director of the Chinese Opera Research Institute, and vice-chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Between 1926 and 1931 he was married to Beijing Opera star Meng Xiaodong. They had one child.
The Boxer Rebellion, also known as Boxer Uprising or Yihetuan Movement, was a proto-nationalist movement by the Righteous Harmony Society in China between 1898 and 1901, opposing foreign imperialism and Christianity.<br/><br/>

The uprising took place in response to foreign spheres of influence in China, with grievances ranging from opium traders, political invasion, economic manipulation, to missionary evangelism. In China, popular sentiment remained resistant to foreign influences, and anger rose over the 'unequal treaties', which the weak Qing state could not resist.<br/><br/>

Concerns grew that missionaries and Chinese Christians could use this decline to their advantage, appropriating lands and property of unwilling Chinese peasants to give to the church. This sentiment resulted in violent revolts against foreign interests.