Beijing, Contemporary China, Audio
Jeremiah Jenne
Exile from Expat-Ville

David and Jeremiah speak with Mike Wester about running @thebeijinger, organizing the “Safe and Sane” communities during the pandemic, and the future of expats in Beijing. Also, Jeremiah surprises David and Mike with an announcement.

Exile from Expat-Ville
Book Reviews, History, Travel
Jeremiah Jenne
Marco Polo: Travel writer? Fraud? Sexpat?

‘The Travels of Marco Polo’ is often held up as the earliest Western account of China and Asia. What’s actually inside the covers might surprise you.

Marco Polo: Travel writer? Fraud? Sexpat?
Audio, Travel
Jeremiah Jenne
Art with Altitude: A Conversation with Artist, ...

On this episode of Barbarians at the Gate, we talk to artist, educator, and social entrepreneur Kristel Ouwehand of Snowland Art

Art with Altitude: A Conversation with Artist, Educator, and Social Entrepreneur Kristel Ouwenhand
Audio, History
Jeremiah Jenne
History Wars: The PRC pushes back against ...

David and I discuss what's going on with the Qing history project, a controversy about Genghis Khan in France, and how PRC continues punching back against potentially problematic pasts.

History Wars: The PRC pushes back against unsanctioned views of the past
Audio, Travel
Jeremiah Jenne
Riding the "Harmony Express" with author Thomas ...

In this episode, we talk with journalist and travel writer Thomas Bird about his latest book, The Harmony Express. 

Riding the "Harmony Express" with author Thomas Bird

Forbidden City

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A Weekend Walks Guide to Managing the Spring Tourist Crush

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A Weekend Walks Guide to Managing the Spring Tourist Crush

Beijing travel is back, and so are the crowds. Here are a few tips for those looking to take advantage of the great weather as the city prepares for the May Day holiday crush.

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The Forbidden City with Matthew Hu

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The Forbidden City with Matthew Hu

On this episode of Barbarians at the Gate, Matthew Hu of the Beijing Cultural Heritage Preservation Center joins Jeremiah and David Moser to look at the Forbidden City's past, present, and future and the challenges of restoring and exhibiting the museum’s 1.8 million artifacts.

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Eunuchs in Beijing: The Bad and the Misunderstood

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Eunuchs in Beijing: The Bad and the Misunderstood

Most eunuchs were undeserving of their bad reputation and social stigma, but a few eunuchs in Beijing's past, unfortunately, lived up to their notoriety.

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Story of the 'Jing: When Beijing's Most Famous Sites Opened Their Doors to the Public

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Story of the 'Jing: When Beijing's Most Famous Sites Opened Their Doors to the Public

Beijing's most famous attractions didn't open their doors to the public until the 20th century (or even later).

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The China History Podcast: Forbidden City

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The China History Podcast: Forbidden City

Few topics have been requested more than the Forbidden City, located in the center of the great city of Beijing. To help introduce this iconic palace complex, Laszlo invited longtime Beijing resident, Jeremiah Jenne of "Barbarians at the Gate Podcast" fame onto the CHP to discuss the history of the Forbidden City from its construction in the Ming Dynasty up to the present day.

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Story of the 'Jing: Legends and Myths of Jingshan Park

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Story of the 'Jing: Legends and Myths of Jingshan Park

It might lack altitude, but at 45.7 meters (150 feet) Jingshan is the tallest point of land inside the Second Ring Road. Sitting astride Beijing’s famous Central Axis, the artificial hill also represents the geographic point zero for the historic capital of the Ming and Qing Emperors.

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Weekend Walk: Forbidden City Basics

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Weekend Walk: Forbidden City Basics

This walk is the simplest and most straightforward way to see the Forbidden City, proceeding from the Meridian Gate in the front, down the main central axis, and exiting at the northern end of the palace across the street from Jingshan Park. Most people (too many people?) take this route, but it’s only a starting point for exploring this massive palace.

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China’s competing legacies on show at National Palace Museums in Beijing and Taipei

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China’s competing legacies on show at National Palace Museums in Beijing and Taipei

  • The mid-century scramble to stop priceless art and artefacts falling into the wrong hands saw country’s collection of imperial artefacts splinter

  • Nationalists transported their treasures to Taiwan, while newly minted People’s Republic allowed Forbidden City to preserve posterity

Beijing's Five Architectural Colors, and the Symbolism Behind Them

Beijing's Five Architectural Colors, and the Symbolism Behind Them

It sometimes seems like the dominant color in Beijing is “Socialist Taupe.” The streets. The bricks. The roads. Getting away from the gray and the beige is hard.

That wasn’t always the case. In imperial times, builders and architects relied on five colors to add life to their creations: red, yellow, blue, white, and (yes) gray

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Making the Forbidden City Fun for Kids: New Spaces, Exhibits, and Dragons Galore

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Making the Forbidden City Fun for Kids: New Spaces, Exhibits, and Dragons Galore

The Forbidden City can be a test of endurance for most people, not just those young folks with shorter legs and even shorter attention spans. Making a three-hour walk through an old palace appealing to younger visitors is all about how you approach your Forbidden City trip.

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Still Want to See the Sights? Five Tips to Beat the Crowds in Beijing During Next Week's October Holiday

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Still Want to See the Sights? Five Tips to Beat the Crowds in Beijing During Next Week's October Holiday

Over 700 million tourists are going to be on the move starting Sunday, and Beijing will be one of the most popular destinations, Caixin reported this week. So how can one enjoy the sites and avoid the crowds?

Famous Scroll Painting Among Treasures to Be Displayed at the Forbidden City This Month

Famous Scroll Painting Among Treasures to Be Displayed at the Forbidden City This Month

One of China’s most famous and seldom seen works of art will go on display at the Forbidden City today (September 15) until December 14.

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Kowtow and get out: How I was almost ejected from the Forbidden City

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Kowtow and get out: How I was almost ejected from the Forbidden City

Demonstrating an imperial ritual for your guests is a good way to get 86'd from The Forbidden City. It almost happened to me.

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Blinged-Out Mobile Not the First Telephone Controversy at the Forbidden City

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Blinged-Out Mobile Not the First Telephone Controversy at the Forbidden City

The recent flap over the Palace Museum's promotion of a bling-out luxury mobile phone was not the first time that a phone has caused a stir at the Forbidden City. The story of a phone, a young emperor, and his love of prank calls.