Among the celebrants would be exotic guests: Mongol princes, Manchu nobles, Uighur chieftains, Tibetan lamas, and Korean gentlemen. Gifts worth fortunes would be bestowed in the world’s most magnificent palaces and gardens. Dukes and princes and g reat ministers would offer congratulations. His subjects proposed a New Year’s extravaganza: feasts, fireworks, poetry parties, and plays.

It was an auspicious anniversary-sixty years is a complete cycle in China’s calendar-and he was a revered ruler, having shepherded the realm through a period of unprecedented prosperity and expansion. In 1794, the Qianlong emperor prepared to mark his sixtieth year on the throne. If y ou’re not sure, start with Chapter 1 and return to the Prologue later, if you wish. If you feel like a thesis statement and some historiography, read the Prologue first. If you’re in the mood for a story, skip to Chapter 1. This book is designed to provide both an immersive narrative and a historical argument. Dutch embassy’s journey by boat from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, to Canton, Guangdong 247 Dutch embassy’s journey overland from Beijing to Qingjiangpu, Jiangsu, and then by boat as far as Quzhou, Zhejiang 217 6.

Dutch embassy’s journey overland from Nanchang, Jiangxi, to Beijing 94 5. Dutch embassy’s journey by boat from Canton, Guangdong, to Nanchang, Jiangxi, and then by land from Nanchang, Jiangxi, as far as Guzhen, Anhui 75 4. Dutch embassy’s journey from Canton to Beijing and back, 1794–1795 11 3. 309 A Note on Place Names, Transliterations, Terms, and Sources .xi Prologue: A Clash of Cultures?Ĭhapter 7 The Imperial Way: By Boat through Southern ChinaĬhapter 13 The Purple Ray Pavilion, A Good Death, A Tour of TemplesĬhapter 14 Stately Pleasure Gardens: YuanmingyuanĬhapter 17 By Land through Beizhili and ShandongĬhapter 18 Sailing into Spring: By Canal through the Lower YangtzeĬonclusions: A Contested Embassy and the History of Sino-Western RelationsĪcknowledgments .∞ Printed in the United States of Americ a 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1įor Josephine, whose enthusiasm brightens our lives By permission of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism / National Central Library of Florence This book has been composed in Miller Printed on acid-free paper. From “Recueil de dessins chinois representant des vues des principales villes, palais, églises e tc.” of Voyage de l’Ambassade de la Compagnie des Indes Orientales Hollandaise vers l’Empereur de la Chine dans les années 1794 & 1795, by A.E. Requests for permission to reproduce material from this work should be sent to .princeton.edu Published by Princeton University Press 41 William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 6 Oxford Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1TR press.princeton.edu All Rights Reserved ISBN 978-1-3 ISBN (e-book) 978-8-2 British Library Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available Editorial: Priya Nelson and Thalia Leaf Production Editorial: Jenny Wolkowicki Jacket design: Chris Ferrante Production: Danielle Amatucci Publicity: Maria Whelan and Amy Stewart Copyeditor: Cyd Westmoreland Jacket image: Anonymous, “Vue de la salle Tze Quon Cok, 29 janvier,” 1794–1795. If you wish to reproduce or distribute any part of it in any form, please obtain permission. Pr i nc et on u n i v e r si t y pr e ss pr i nc et on & ox for dĬopyright © 2021 by Princeton University Press Princeton University Press is committed to the protection of copyright and the intellectual property our authors entrust to us. Copyright promotes the progress and integrity of knowledge. Thank you for supporting free speech and the global exchange of ideas by purchasing an authorized edition of this book. The Last Embassy t he du tch mission of 1795 a n d t he forg ot t e n history of w est er n encou n t er s w i t h chi na

Finale 2014.5 courtesy accidental