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August 21, 2026

China in 1900: 30 Rare Photos From a German Soldier’s Album

These rare photographs, taken from the personal album of a German soldier, offer a unique and intimate glimpse into everyday life in China around 1900.

Captured during a turbulent period of political change and foreign presence, the images show streets, markets, local people, architecture, and daily routines with a documentary honesty rarely seen in official records of the time.

From traditional scenes of village life to the growing influence of Western presence, the album preserves a valuable visual record of China at the turn of the 20th century through the eyes of an ordinary outsider.

Chinese opera performance costumes, China, circa 1900

Probably a courtesan, China, circa 1900

Typical Han Chinese women's clothing and headwear (probably a courtesan), China, circa 1900

Typical Han Chinese women's clothing and headwear (probably courtesans), China, circa 1900

Two Chinese girls, circa 1900

Chinese costume, circa 1900

Chinese costume, circa 1900

Chinese costume, circa 1900

Chinese escort on the way to the Imperial Palace, China, circa 1900

Chinese escort on the way to the Imperial Palace, China, circa 1900

Chinese funeral procession, China, circa 1900

Chinese funeral procession, China, circa 1900

Chinese funeral procession, China, circa 1900

Chinese funeral procession, China, circa 1900

Chinese funeral procession, China, circa 1900

Chinese funeral procession, China, circa 1900

Chinese workers with one-wheeled carts waiting for goods transportation at the train station, China, circa 1900

City gate, Beijing, China, circa 1900

Chinese cavalry, China, circa 1900

Eskadron Jäger zu Pferd, Tientsin (Tianjin), China, circa 1900

French Quarter in Tientsin (Tianjin), China, circa 1900

Indian Sikhs in China, circa 1900

Lama Temple in Beijing, China, circa 1900

Prince Leopold of Prussia in China, circa 1900

The interior of the temple, China, circa 1900

The text on the signboard at the back indicates that this is a traditional Chinese medicine store, while the store on the far right at the back is a clothing store, circa 1900

The wooden archway in Beihai Park, Beijing, China, circa 1900

Theatrical group, performing locally traditional opera-like, China, circa 1900

Visit to Prince Li Hung-chang, China, circa 1900

Visit to Prince Li Hung-chang, China, circa 1900

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