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Photographic Collections


The Royal Asiatic Society has almost 100 different collections of photographs, containing several thousand images, dating back to the middle of the nineteenth century. The Society’s photographic collections are a valuable source of information about the cultural and physical heritage of many different parts of Asia. But they’re also useful for understanding the history of photography itself. These pages contain a small selection of the Society’s photographic holdings.

[Glass Slide.01/(001)] Zonghuamen, the first gate to the Imperial City, Beijing

Black-and-white view of Zonghuamen, the first gate to the Imperial City, Beijing, 1900-1920.  Labelled: ‘Palace gate, Peking’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(002)] Building at Temple of Heaven complex

Black and white view of Building at Temple of Heaven complex, Beijing. Labelled as ‘Temple of Heaven’.


[Glass slide.01/(003)] Forbidden City, Beijing

Black and white image of ‘Nine Dragons’ stone carving at the Hall of Preserved Harmony, Forbidden City, Beijing. Labelled as…


[Glass slide.01/(004)] Coal Hill, Imperial City, Peking

Black and white view of four temples taken from a distance; man standing with horse and cart in the foreground….


[Glass slide.01/(005)] Er Dow Men, Great Wall of China

Black and white image of Er Dow Men (“The Second Gate Seen on Arrival”), Great Wall of China, Gubeikou. Labelled…


[Glass Slide.01/(006)] Palace, Beijing

Black and white view of palace in Beijing; Forbidden City? Labelled as ‘Peking Palace’.


[Glass Slide.01/(007)] Great Wall of China, Badaling

Black and white view of the The Great Wall of China, Badaling. Labelled as ‘Great Wall’.


[Glass Slide.01/(008)] Qianmen, Beijing

Black and white front view of a Qianmen, Beijing with market in the forefront. Labelled as ‘Peking’.


[Glass Slide.01/(009a)] Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Black and white view of the front entrance to a Temple of Heaven. Possibly Yonghegong (Lama Temple), Beijing. Labelled as…


[Glass Slide.01/(009b)] Stone Courtyard, the Temple of Heaven complex

Black and white view of courtyard and buildings at the Temple of Heaven complex, Beijing.


[Glass Slide.01/(010)] Huxinting and the Nine Curve Bridge

Black and white view of the Huxinting and the Nine Curve Bridge, Yu Garden or Yu Yuan in Shanghai. Labelled…


[Glass Slide.01/(011)] Huxinting and the Nine Curve Bridge

Black and white view of the Huxinting and the Nine Curve Bridge, Yu Garden or Yu Yuan in Shanghai. Labelled…


[Glass Slide.01/(012)] Yu Garden, Shanghai

Black and white view of the Yu Garden or Yu Yuan in Shanghai depicting people gathered. Labelled as ‘Shanghai’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(013)] Yu Garden, Shanghai

Black and white view of a group of six Chinese people in the Yu Garden or Yu Yuan in Shanghai….


[Glass Slide.01/(014)] Former French Concession, Shanghai

Black and white street view depicting daily life in the Former French Concession in Shanghai. Labelled as ‘French Town, Shanghai’.


[Glass Slide.01/(015)] Street Scene, Shanghai

Black and white image depicting a street in Shanghai. Labelled as ‘Cantonr (sic), Shanghai’.


[Glass Slide.01/(016)] Fuzhou Road, Shanghai

Black and white view of Fuzhou Road, Shanghai, with a focus on the architecture. Labelled as ‘Foochow Rd.’


[Glass Slide.01/(017)] Fuzhou Road, Shanghai

Black and white view of Fuzhou Road, Shanghai. Labelled as ‘Foochow Rd.’


[Glass Slide.01/(018)] Temple God, Shanghai

Black and white image of a god in a temple; possibly a god of war (as labelled) or god of…


[Glass Slide.01/(019)] The Bubbling Well, Shanghai

Black and white view of The Bubbling Well, Shanghai, behind a colonial-style house; Chinese men and a horse are in…


[Glass Slide.01/(020)] Former French Concession, Shanghai

Black and white street view of the Former French Concession, Shanghai. Labelled as ‘French Town, Shanghai’. The digital image is…


[Glass Slide.01/(021)] A Port in China

Black and white view of a port in China; rickshaws in the foreground and boats in the background. Labelled as…


[Glass Slide.01/(022)] Zhenhai Tower and city wall, Guangzhou

Black and white image of Zhenhai Tower (“The Five Storey Pagoda”) and city wall, Guangzhou. Labelled as ‘Lantau Island’.


[Glass Slide.01/(023)] Buddhist Monks, China

Black and white image of four Buddhist monks. Labelled as ‘Buddhist Monks’.


[Glass Slide.01/(024)] Henan Road, Shanghai

Black and white view of Honan Road or what is now known as Henan Road, Shanghai. Labelled as ‘Honan Road’.


[Glass Slide.01/(025)] Horse & Cart, China

Black and white view of Chinese men with their horse and cart on a road with shops in the background.


[Glass Slide.01/(026)] Henan Road, Shanghai

Black and white view of Honan Road or what is now known as Henan Road, Shanghai. Labelled as ‘Honan Road’.


[Glass Slide.01/(027)] Ming Tombs, Nanjing

Black and white view of a Ming Tomb in Nanjing. Labelled as ‘Ming Tombs, Nanking’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(028)] Ming Xiaoling, Nanjing

Black and white view of stone elephants, Ming Xiaoling, Nanjing. Labelled as ‘Ming Tombs’.


[Glass Slide.01/(029)] Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Black and white view of Nanjing Road, Shanghai. Labelled as ‘Nanking Road’.


[Glass Slide.01/(030)] Old fort, Mudu, near Suzhou

Black and white image of old fort or blockhouse, Mudu, near Suzhou. Also lake and boats in the foreground and…


[Glass Slide.01/(031)] Precious Belt Bridge, Suzhou

Black and white view of Precious Belt Bridge or Baodai qiao in Suzhou, China. Labelled as ‘Long Ridge, Souchow’.


[Glass Slide.01/(032)] Lake Scenery, Suzhou

Black and white view of lake with bridge and pagoda in the background. Labelled as ‘Near Souchow’.


[Glass Slide.01/(033)] Garden, Hangzhou

Black and white view of back garden with Chinese people in the photograph. Labelled as ‘Garden Hangchow’.


[Glass Slide.01/(034)] Garden, Hangzhou

Black and white view of garden in Hangzhou. Labelled as ‘S.E. HWO Hangchow, West Lane Garden’.


[Glass Slide.01/(035)] Twin pagodas at Luohanyuan Temple, Suzhou

Black and white view of the twin pagodas at Luohanyuan Temple, Suzhou, taken from a distance. Labelled as ‘Pagodas, Hangchow’.


[Glass Slide.01/(036)] Garden, Hangzhou

Black and white view of a garden in Hangzhou, China. Labelled as ‘A Garden’.


[Glass Slide.01/(037)] Circular Mound Altar, Temple of Heaven complex, Beijing

Black and white view of Circular Mound Altar, Temple of Heaven complex, Beijing . Labelled as ‘Yuen Ming (?)’.


[Glass Slide.01/(038)] Southern Putuo Monastery, Xiamen

Black and white front view of Southern Putuo Monastery, Xiamen. Labelled as ‘Poo Tod (?)’.


[Glass slide.01/(039)] Gates to the Summer Palace, Beijing

Black and white view of gates leading to the Summer Palace, Beijing. Labelled as ‘Yuen Ming Yue’.


[Glass Slide.01/(040)] Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Black and white view of Nanjing Road, Shanghai. Labelled as ‘Nanking Road’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(041)] Bridge, Nanjing

Black and white view of a bridge with three arches; houses built on top and sampans in the water below….


[Glass Slide.01/(042)] Yi Feng Gate, Nanjing

Black and white view of YiFeng Gate in Nanjing. Labelled as ‘Nanking’.


[Glass Slide.01/(043)] Market Stalls, China

Black and white view of busy street market. Labelled as ‘Nanking Road Market’.


[Glass Slide.01/(044)] Temple, Guangzhou

Black and white front view of temple in Guangzhou. Labelled as ‘Canton, Yah Ying Say’.


[Glass Slide.01/(045)] Yang Jin Bang Creek, Shanghai

Black and white view of street scene next to Yang Jin Bang creek in Shanghai. Labelled as ‘YanKing Pang Creek…


[Glass Slide.01/(046)] Gates to the Summer Palace, Beijing

Black and white view of gates leading to the Summer Palace, Beijing. Labelled as ‘Yuen Ming Yuen’.


[Glass Slide.01/(047)] Garden, China

Black and white view of a garden in China. Labelled as ‘Yuen’.


[Glass Slide.01/(048)] Architecture, China

Black and white view of a stone bridge leading to an entrance of a building in China. Labelled as ‘Poo…


[Glass Slide.01/(049)] Rural Scene, China

Black and white view of a Chinese countryside with houses and people. Labelled as ‘Chinmiang’.


[Glass Slide.01/(050)] Ming Xiaoling, Nanjing

Black and white view of Ming Xiaoling, Nanjing. Labelled as ‘Ming Tombs’.


[Glass Slide.01/(051)] Rural Scene, China

Black and white view of houses in the countryside, China.  Possibly near Shanghai; the label reads ‘Ziccaway’ which is in…


[Glass Slide.01/(052)] Fukien Temple, Ningbo

Black and white view of the Fukien Temple (aka Temple of the Goddess Ma tsu-Pu), Ningbo. Labelled as ‘City Temple,…


[Glass Slide.01/(053)] Chinese Courthouse, China

Black and white view of the front of a Chinese courthouse, China. Labelled as ‘Mixed Court’. This ‘Mixed Court’ building…


[Glass Slide.01/(054)] Chinese Family, China

Black and white view of a Chinese family, China. Labelled as ‘Chinese Family’.


[Glass Slide.01/(055)] Henan Road, Shanghai

Black and white view of the front of a shop, Shanghai. Labelled as ‘Honan Road, Silver Shop’.


[Glass Slide.01/(056)] Fishing Boat, China

Black and white image of a fishing boat with three fishermen, China. Labelled as ‘Tuna & Raft Boat’.


[Glass Slide.01/(057)] Chinese Mandarin, China

Black and white image of a seated Chinese Mandarin. Labelled as ‘Mandarin’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(058)] Junk, China

Black and white image of a Chinese junk, China. Labelled as ‘Junk’.


[Glass Slide.01/(059)] Mourning Altar, China

Black and white view of the front of a mourning altar with three mourners, China. Labelled as ‘Mourning’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(060)] Ploughing a Field, China

Black and white image of two men and a water buffalo ploughing a field, China. Labelled as ‘Ploughing’.


[Glass Slide.01/(061)] Performers, China

Black and white image of group of Chinese performers, China. Labelled as ‘Joss Procession’.


[Glass Slide.01/(062)] Fishing, Shanghai

Black and white image of fishermen fishing, China. Corresponding photograph found on University of Bristol ‘Historical Photographs of China ref….


[Glass Slide.01/(063)] Rickshaw, China

Black and white image of a rickshaw puller and his passenger, China. Labelled as ‘Ricksha’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(064)] Sampan, Ningbo

Black and white image of two sampans on water in the foreground with houses and more sampans in the background,…


[Glass Slide.01/(065)] Chinese Couple, China

Black and white image of a Chinese man (standing) and woman (seated), China. Labelled as ‘Beggars’.


[Glass Slide.01/(066)] Wedding Procession, China

Black and white image of a wedding procession, China. Labelled as ‘Wedding Procession’. Photograph by William Saunders.


[Glass Slide.01/(067)] Rural Scene, China

Black and white view of a rural road in China. Labelled as ‘Chinaihng (?)’.


[Glass Slide.01/(068)] Chinese Home, China

Black and white view of the interior of a Chinese home. Labelled as ‘(?)’.


[Glass Slide.01/(069)] Landscape, Guangzhou

Black and white bird’s eye view of rivers and rooftops, Guangzhou. Labelled as ‘Canton’.


[Glass Slide.01/(070)] Rural Scene, China

Black and white view of houses in the countryside, China.  Possibly near Shanghai; the label reads ‘Ziccaway’ which is in…


[Glass Slide.01/(071)] Gateway, China

Black and white view of gateways, China. Labelled as ‘Chingrians, Windows’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(072)] Chinese Family, China

Black and white image of a Chinese family. Labelled as ‘Mandarin’s Family’.


[Glass Slide.01/(073)] Chinese Family, China

Black and white image of a Chinese family. Labelled as ‘Gentleman’s Family’.


[Glass Slide.01/(074)] Photographic studio re-enactment of an opening ceremony for a Sze Yuen Ming (Yao Hua Studio) (耀華) photographic shop/studio in Shanghai

Black and white image of photographic studio re-enactment of an opening ceremony for a Sze Yuen Ming (Yao Hua Studio)…


[Glass Slide.01/(075)] Zongli Yamen (?), Beijing

Black and white view of front of building labelled as the Zongli Yamen in Beijing. This identification is probably incorrect….


[Glass Slide.01/(076)] Temple, Beijing

Black and white view of Temple Gates, Beijing. Labelled as ‘Confucian Temple, Pekin’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(077)] Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Black and white distant view of gateway and temples, Beijing. Labelled as ‘Pekin, Temple of Heaven’.


[Glass Slide.01/(078)] Summer Palace, Beijing

Black and white view of the Summer Palace, Beijing. Labelled as ‘Yuen Ming Yuen’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(079)] Gates of the Summer Palace, Beijing

Black and white view of a gateway. Labelled as ‘Yuen Ming Yuen’.


[Glass Slide.01/(080)] Marble Boat, Beijing

Black and white image of the Marble Boat in the Summer Palace, or Yihe Yuan, Beijing. Labelled as ‘Yuen Ming…


[Glass Slide.01/(081)] Gateway, Beijing

Black and white view of large gateway, Beijing. Labelled as ‘Balum, Pekin’.


[Glass Slide.01/(082)] Ming Tombs, Beijing

Black and white image of stone camels at the Ming tombs. Labelled as ‘Ming Tombs’.


[Glass Slide.01/(083)] Five Pagoda Temple, Beijing

Black and white image of the Five Pagoda Temple in Beijing. Labelled as ‘Yuen Ming Yuen, Peking’.


[Glass Slide.01/(084)] Musicians, China

Black and white image of four Chinese musicians. Labelled as ‘Musicians’.


[Glass Slide.01/(085)] Musicians, China

Black and white image of ten Chinese musicians. Labelled as ‘Musicians’.


[Glass Slide.01/(086)] Pagoda of Cishou Temple, Beijing

Black and white image of the Pagoda of Cishou Temple in Beijing. Labelled as ‘Pekin’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(087)] Actors, China

Black and white image of nine Chinese actors. Labelled as ‘Actors’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(088)] Chinese Woman, China

Black and white image of a seated Chinese woman. Labelled as ‘Lady’.


[Glass Slide.01/(089)] Merchant & his Family, China

Black and white image of a Chinese merchant and his family. Labelled as ‘Merchant & Family’.


[Glass Slide.01/(090)] Amah & Baby, China

Black and white image of an amah carrying a baby in a sling wrap on her back. Labelled as ‘Amah’. 


[Glass Slide.01/(091)] Manchu Woman, China

Black and white image of a Manchu woman. Labelled as ‘Manchu’.


[Glass Slide.01/(092)] Sedan Chairs, China

Black and white image of two sedan chairs and bearers. Labelled as ‘Chairs’.


[Glass Slide.01/(093)] Suppertime, China

Black and white image of Chinese people, three eating supper. Labelled as ‘Supper’.


[Glass Slide.01/(094)] Dinnertime, China

Black and white image of four Chinese men eating dinner. Labelled as ‘Dinner Time’.


[Glass Slide.01/(095)] The Bund, Shanghai

Black and white image of water taken from The Bund, Shanghai. Labelled as ‘Bund’.


[Glass Slide.01/(096)] Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Black and white image of the Temple of Heaven, Beijing. Corresponding image on University of Bristol ‘Historical Photographs of China’…


[Glass Slide.01/(097)] Ming City Wall Ruins, Beijing

Black and white image of the Beijing Ming City Wall Ruins. Labelled as ‘City Wall, Pekin’.


[Glass Slide.01/(098)] Ming City Wall Ruins, Beijing

Black and white image of the Beijing Ming City Wall Ruins. Labelled as ‘City Wall, Pekin’.


[Glass Slide.01/(099)] Beisi Pagoda, Suzhou

Black and white image of the Beisi Pagoda in Suzhou. Labelled as ‘Pagoda, Soochow’.