6 rarest color photos of the Qing Dynasty: 'culinary' itinerary like a movie, shocking 'final boss'!

From simple street vendors to the rich flavors of street food, the picture of life in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China comes to life through simple dishes.

The journey to explore street food during this period is not only to enjoy the taste but also to learn about a unique cultural feature of ancient society. Some rare color photos taken during this period have brought posterity back in time and visualized the true picture of life of ancient people.

On the streets of the late Qing Dynasty, the image of street vendors became familiar. They often wore worn-out clothes, their faces still had a childish look, but their eyes shone with determination and perseverance. Their carts were filled with dried fruits such as longan, red dates, walnuts, and almonds. Every time someone passed by, the boys enthusiastically greeted and introduced their products. Their clear, attractive voices made people stop. Most of these boys came from poor families, and in order to make a living, they had to shoulder the responsibilities of life early. Every day, they woke up very early, went to the market to buy dried fruits, then carried them around the streets to sell until nightfall.

On the streets of the late Qing Dynasty, we often see street vendors pushing simple carts, frying fragrant oil cakes. They wear worn-out clothes, their faces are marked by time, but their hands are still working quickly. These vendors often work from early morning until late at night to make a living. Their stalls are very simple, consisting of only a small stove, a pan of oil and a board. On the board are pre-kneaded dough and fillings. They use their hands to roll the dough thinly, wrap the fillings and then drop them into the boiling oil pan. Not long after, the fragrant oil cakes are golden brown. They take them out, place them on oil-absorbing paper and give them to waiting customers. The golden, crispy oil cakes with rich fillings are loved by many people.

In the late Qing Dynasty, street vendors selling fried doughnuts were a popular snack in the Tianjin area as well as Beijing and Hebei. Fried doughnuts with a crispy golden crust and delicious sweet taste conquered the taste buds of many people. The cake was made from glutinous rice flour wrapped in red bean paste, then fried until golden brown. Each bite of the cake clearly showed three layers of yellow, white, and black, bringing a double enjoyment of both sight and taste. The fried doughnuts were chewy but not sticky, suitable for both the elderly and children. In the society at that time, fried doughnuts became a snack chosen by many people when walking around the street or having a snack.

In the late Qing Dynasty, street vendors selling dumplings were a familiar stop for people. Dumplings are a traditional Chinese dish with a long history and have been passed down to this day. According to historical records, dumplings appeared in the Western Han Dynasty and became popular during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. During the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, dumplings were also recorded in many books. During the Republic of China period, shops, street vendors, and dumpling stalls appeared everywhere on the streets, and the cries of sales were heard constantly.

In Beijing, dumplings were originally sold on the streets, and then permanent dumpling stalls gradually appeared. These stalls usually had simple equipment, a small pot divided in half by an iron plate, one side was used to simmer the bones, the other side was used to boil the dumplings. Rich seasonings included pickled mustard greens, seaweed, coriander, dried shrimp, white pepper, soy sauce, vinegar, and green onions, allowing diners to add whatever they wanted according to their taste.

In Beijing during the late Qing Dynasty, roadside teahouses were an indispensable part of people's daily lives. These teahouses were loved for their convenience and simplicity. Whether on business trips, in the park, or shopping, when people felt thirsty, they could stop by any teahouse to enjoy a bowl of hot tea to quench their thirst.

Tea is brewed in two ways, one is to brew the tea leaves directly, the other is to use a large bowl to hold the brewed tea, cover it with a glass lid and wait for passersby to stop by to buy it. This type of tea is usually brewed in a large pot or large barrel, when drunk hot, it not only helps to stay awake and quench thirst but also brings a pleasant, natural feeling. The way of drinking tea is liberal, not bound by formalities, making people feel close.

These teahouses are usually simply furnished with a table, a few wooden chairs and rough porcelain bowls. They often appear as teahouses or teahouses, providing convenience for passersby to rest and refresh themselves.

Today, China still maintains many of its traditional culinary delights. There are hundreds of traditional cakes in China that most foreign visitors cannot pronounce, but are worth trying. Some are made fresh that day, while others are packaged beautifully with a shelf life of several months, making them perfect gifts.

In the old quarters, you can find bakeries that are over 100 years old, bustling with customers, with dozens of different types of cakes and candies, all beautifully shaped. A box of ordinary cakes costs only a few tens of thousands of VND, while there are also types packaged in a "royal" style that cost millions of VND.