Inside The Chinese Emperor's Harem - A Blessing or a Curse? (Chinese History)

While it's no surprise that all ladies who became wives, consorts and concubines to the Chinese Emperor had to go through a vigorous vetting process, I had no idea one of it included sleeping in the same bed as the emperor's mother! Apparently, this was to check for flaws like snoring and sleepwalking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my-Ddi9geMQ

Interesting Facts About Emperor Kangxi (Qing Dynasty)

Despite being Emperor Qianlong's grandfather, there doesn't seem to be as much information about Emperor Kangxi. I was pleasantly surprised to have stumbled across this informative documentary on him. Some quick facts about Kangxi:

1. 4th emperor from the Qing Dynasty.

2. Longest reigning monarch in Chinese history.

3. First Manchu ruler to be born in Beijing.

4. Became emperor at the tender age of 7.

5. Educated by his grandmother.

6. Allowed Europeans to increase their economic activities in several ports in the South, such as Guangzhou. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoGLhehDdgM

Emperor Qianlong's Mysterious Attraction Towards Ancient Bronze Mirrors (Qing Dynasty)

Interesting documentary highlighting the numerous items collected by Emperor Qianlong. What I found most fascinating was the theory surrounding the emperor's affinity for ancient bronze mirrors, also called Shenwu (divine things). It was believed that ancient relics granted their owners rule over the past and present. The mirror's reflections were thought to generate direct links to ancestors and their power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPF-M1IwC9M

8 Less-Known Facts about Empress Dowager Cixi (Qing Dynasty)

It's common knowledge that the DragonLady who effectively ruled China during the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911) for nearly five decades led an extravagant lifestyle. Here are the lesser-known facts about EmpressDowagerCixi:

1. She had her own exclusive railway in the royal park.

2. She was served 120 dishes at each meal.

3. She had her own exclusive kitchen built within the Forbidden City, known as the “Western Kitchen”. It was subdivided into five areas – the meat section, 
vegetarian section, rice, bun and noodle section, snack section and pastry section.

4. She would eat only two or three bites of some of the dishes because of fears that would be poisoned.

5. She did not consume 'more than 150,000 apples' each year. She smelled them instead.

6. Her dogs were served by their own eunuchs.

7. The imperial palace also prepared a large number of clothes for the dogs to wear each year.

8. She was buried with jewellery and other luxury items worth about 1.2 million taels of silver. The various activities held to mark her death included the burning of a giant funeral boat on August 30, 1909.

https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/article/2119973/woman-who-ruled-china-what-you-didnt-know-about