Welcome. This website stores words and images from Old China, mostly the era between 1840 to 1950 when China and the West were struggling to come to terms with each other. It is the contrasts and cultural clashes between the two worlds that are at the heart of this website, and we hope you enjoy what we have collected. The links on the left, under the Oriental damsel, will lead you through the site. The buttons on the right suggest some of the content we like best. The library contains the full texts of books from and about Old China. The Postcard archive has hundreds of images, fully searchable. Also, please look at the Money page.

This site will never be finished. We add to it when we have time. If you would like to contribute material, or help in the maintenance of the site, please contact us.

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A random quote from the Tales Quote archive

The battleship Nemesis ... set fire to the city of Shanghai which was occupied by our troops, its public buildings burned, its rich granaries, the property of the government, given up to the people. An incessant cannonade was kept up for two hours ere the enemy showed any symptom of submission.

The Illustrated London News describing the capture of Shanghai in June 1842