The "naked" truth about China: 14 rare photos reveal a tragedy that goes beyond the movies

While Chinese historical dramas often paint a picture of the Qing Dynasty as a magnificent, noble, and sometimes romantic place, 14 newly released rare photos have completely "destroyed" that illusion.

The Fall of the Qing Dynasty: A Landscape of Poverty and Despair

During the late Qing Dynasty (around the second half of the 19th century to the early 20th century), China was in deep crisis. The Manchu government was weak and rotten from within, unable to withstand the threat of invasion from Western powers.

The constant wars, especially the Opium War, the Sino-French War, the Sino-Japanese War, and the culmination of the Eight-Nation Alliance's entry into Beijing in 1900, plunged the country into extreme chaos.

When the Eight Kingdoms Alliance entered the capital, they not only plundered the people's property but also rampaged across China's territory, destroying everything. The weakening of the imperial court, combined with constant natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and epidemics, pushed the people into poverty, illness, and even mass death.

In that miserable situation, the image of people with dull eyes, tired and miserable faces, seemingly without any hope in life, became an obsession. The feudal Qing Dynasty's etiquette, instead of being a pillar of morality, became a heavy layer of shackles that completely oppressed both their bodies and minds, restraining all aspirations for change.

The True Face of Qing Dynasty Soldiers: Weak, Backward and Powerless

One of the most heartbreaking truths revealed through these photos is the true face of Qing soldiers - the soldiers entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the country.

In complete contrast to the image of bravery, majesty, and neat uniforms portrayed in movies, soldiers in the late Qing Dynasty were mostly weak and listless, seemingly unable to withstand the wind and rain and the hardships of military life.

Their weapons were pitifully outdated, centuries behind those of the Western powers. While Western armies were equipped with modern weapons, long-range artillery, and advanced tactics, Qing soldiers still relied mainly on swords, spears, bows, and arrows, and other archaic weapons. This not only reflected the backwardness of military technology, but also reflected the court’s conservative ideology and refusal to reform.

Qing soldiers often wore a special type of uniform, which was said to be more traditional than practical. The clothes of low-ranking soldiers were often torn and worn, making viewers feel sorry for their tragic situation.

The hierarchy within the military was also complex and ineffective: “brave” were temporary soldiers, “soldiers” were regular soldiers, and “good” were semi-regular soldiers. However, regardless of their rank, they fought under extremely difficult conditions, often helpless against a superiorly equipped enemy. Surrender became the only option for survival, further undermining the will to fight and the national spirit.

Beauty standards and lives of late dynasty beauties

Amidst that gloomy picture, the images of beauties from the late Qing Dynasty also attracted attention. Sai Jinhua, one of the three most famous courtesans of that time, came from Huangshan (Anhui), possessing a beautiful appearance and extraordinary temperament.

She is described as having a pure, innocent appearance, different from modern beauty standards but showing the natural and elegant features typical of that era. These ancient beauties did not have modern beauty technology such as plastic surgery, elaborate makeup or magical filters, their beauty was completely natural and rustic.

Sai Kim Hoa is known not only for her beauty but also for her turbulent life. She was once the concubine of a high-ranking official and followed her husband on a diplomatic mission to Europe, exposing herself to Western culture. This experience shaped Sai Kim Hoa into a person who was intelligent, sharp, and somewhat more liberal than many women of her time.

Later, upon returning to China, she became a famous courtesan in Shanghai and Beijing, associated with many legends, and was even said to have had connections with high-ranking officials and foreign forces during that chaotic period. However, despite being praised for her beauty and talent, her status as a courtesan remained a symbol of the powerlessness of women in feudal society, having to rely on beauty and ingenuity to survive.

The "harsh" contrast between movies and history

Most of the palace dramas and historical dramas about the Qing Dynasty often focus on the prosperous dynasties such as Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, or if it is the final period, they are also romanticized with love stories and political intrigues in the palace.

The images of majestic kings, noble queens, and gorgeous concubines in exquisite costumes living in the magnificent Forbidden City have created a shimmering, sometimes even unrealistically lavish, image in the minds of the audience.

However, the photos taken with primitive photography technology revealed a "cruel" truth: the Chinese people in the late Qing Dynasty were immersed in paralysis and soullessness, lacking vitality and hope. Images of men with long pigtails, skinny bodies, empty eyes; women with painful bound feet, haggard faces; or children with innocent faces but hidden fears of the chaotic times.

Many Chinese netizens, after viewing these 14 photos, expressed their deep amazement at the huge difference between the real lives of the people at that time and what they had seen in movies. They realized that history is not only about kings and concubines, but also about the tragedy, pain and suffering of millions of people under the burden of a fading dynasty.

These photos are not only valuable historical documents but also a powerful reminder of the harsh, brutal truth of the past, far from the rosy appearance on the screen. It also raises questions about the responsibility of artists when recreating history, how to balance the entertainment factor with respect for the pain and loss that a nation has experienced.

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