This month marks the 160th anniversary of the destruction of the Yuanmingyuan. In this episode, David and I talk about the events leading up to the looting and razing of the gardens and the shifting meaning of "National Humiliation" in China today.
Story of the 'Jing: What's the Deal With the Old Red Gate on Ghost Street?
Barbarians at the Gate: It's a Matter of Trust
Story of the 'Jing: Just How Old is the City of Beijing?
Barbarians at the Gate: Writing about China for the World with Hatty Liu
Weekend Walk: The Confucian Temple and the Imperial Academy
Story of the 'Jing: Legends and Myths of Jingshan Park
China Sports Insider Podcast: Jeremiah Jenne on the NBA finals and being a Boston sports fan in China
Barbarians at the Gate: Ideology and Education in China with Jiang Xueqin
Barbarians at the Gate: Understanding China's Nationalism with Peter Gries
Story of the 'Jing: What's Behind the Name "Summer Palace"?
The Summer Palace in Beijing and its neighbor, the Old Summer Palace, are two of the city’s most beloved parks, but the English names for these popular attractions are a little more simplistic than their Chinese variations. The terms most commonly used in Chinese, 颐和园 yiheyuan for the Summer Palace, and 圆明园 yuanmingyuan for the Old Summer Palace, are a bit clearer, and it’s worth noting that nothing in the Chinese names references the relative age or seasonal preference.
Literary Strolls through Old Peking
Despite the holiday and the beautiful weather this weekend, it might not be the best time for exploring the city. Walking tours and entertainment venues are on Covid hiatus, and most parks and historic sites require a 48-hour test result to even walk through the front gate. But Covid can’t stop the history enthusiast or the intellectually curious from wandering old Peking from the comfort of our couch.
Lockdown 2: Shacked up in Shanghai with historian Andrew Field
Weekend Walk: In the Footsteps of the Emperor
The Temple of Heaven is one of Beijing’s largest – and liveliest – spaces for a weekend walk, particularly in spring. The surrounding park is over three times the size of the Forbidden City, making it the perfect place to visit on those holiday weekends when the Palace Museum and other popular destinations will be heaving with visitors.
The Russian Refugees Who Made a Home in Qing China
Barbarians at the Gate: Locked Down in Beijing!
Jeremiah and David discuss the current COVID-19 situation in China along with special guest Zhang Yajun (Wo Men Podcast). Jeremiah and Yajun have been confined to their apartment complex for (as of taping) 13 days after one of their neighbors tested positive for COVID-19. Jeremiah, David, and Yajun share stories of living with the current outbreak, how other folks are handling the situation, the response by local officials, and where China's Zero COVID policy goes from here.
Weekend Walk: Dungeons, Dragons, Warriors, and Princesses
Barbarians at the Gate: Touring China with historian Yajun Mo
Weekend Walk: Forbidden City Basics
This walk is the simplest and most straightforward way to see the Forbidden City, proceeding from the Meridian Gate in the front, down the main central axis, and exiting at the northern end of the palace across the street from Jingshan Park. Most people (too many people?) take this route, but it’s only a starting point for exploring this massive palace.
