The team of historians at Beijing Postcards has been researching for months to uncover new facts and original material for our brand new Nightwatch Limited Edition Public Walking Tour.
By piecing together clues from old newspaper archives, academic books in Chinese and other languages, diaries, and interviews with local experts – even ordinary citizens with long memories – they have built up a fascinating picture of nighttime Beijing during the late Qing Dynasty. At a time when a strict nightly curfew was in place, former soldiers of the Eight Banner Army (otherwise known as The Nightwatch), would patrol the streets to the beat of the Drum and Bell Towers.
But it’s not for us to try to explain! Here’s expert and tour designer Lars Ulrik Thom, co-founder of Beijing Postcards:
In China and don’t have a VPN? Watch all our The Nightwatch Walking Tour videos here on Youku.
During the Qing Dynasty, Beijing was a segregated city, with the Eight Banners occupying the inner city (the area roughly contained within today’s second ring road) and the ordinary Han Chinese citizens moved to the outer city. Here’s Lars again to tell you more:
And just to get you in the mood, check out the teaser trailer we created for The Nightwatch – see if you can spot any of these hutong alleyways again when you do the tour!
The Nightwatch Limited Edition Public Walking Tour gets underway from April 26. Tickets are selling fast! To book your place or find out more, click here.
About the author: Tom O’Malley is Propaganda Secretary at Bespoke Beijing. A lifestyle journalist, guidebook author, glutton and bon vivant, Tom is a tireless crusader for fine food, hospitality and tourist experiences in China’s capital.