CHINA-UNDERGROUND. Matteo Damiani is an Italian sinologist, photographer, author and motion designer. Matteo lived and worked for ten years in China. Founder of CinaOggi.it and China-underground.com.
Modern-day significance and continued religious importance. Nanputuo (南普陀寺) is a Buddhist temple of vast proportions not far from the University of Xiamen. Nanputuo Temple, also … Read more
Depicting the working conditions of Migrant Workers in China Over the years, we have accumulated a large number of images that document the nightmarish work … Read more
In the 1840s and 1850s, United States Navy and Royal Navy forces campaigned together against Chinese pirates. Several notable battles were fought though pirate junks continued operating off China for years more. However, some British and American individual citizens also volunteered to serve with Chinese pirates to fight against European forces. The British offered rewards for the capture of westerners serving with Chinese pirates.
The Pirate Chieftains
Chinese armed pirates, many of whom were women
The two most notorious pirate commanders of the era were Shap Ng-tsai (十五仔) and Chui A-poo (also recorded as Xú Yàbǎo, 徐亚保). Shap Ng-tsai, whose real name was Chin Chay-mee, commanded a fleet of around 70 junks based at Tien-pai, roughly 180 miles west of Hong Kong, and extracted protection money from coastal villages and traders under threat of attack. Chui A-poo, his lieutenant, commanded a separate fleet of more than 50 junks operating out of Bias Bay, east of Hong Kong.
In the spring of 1849, Shap Ng-tsai’s forces were blamed for sinking an American ship and three British merchant vessels carrying opium, and Chui A-poo’s men killed two British officers that February. The killings and the losses to shipping prompted a coordinated response.
The Battle of Tonkin River
In September 1849, a Royal Navy squadron destroyed Chui A-poo’s fleet at Bias Bay. The following month, three British warships under Captain John Charles Dalrymple Hay, joined by eight junks from China’s Imperial Navy, pursued Shap Ng-tsai’s fleet of 64 junks to the Tonkin River, in the waters off Haiphong, Vietnam. After a three-day battle between 18 and 22 October 1849, the combined force destroyed or captured 58 pirate junks carrying an estimated 1,200 cannons and 3,000 crewmen, killing or capturing 1,845 of Shap Ng-tsai’s men. Shap Ng-tsai himself escaped with six smaller junks and around 400 men, and later surrendered to the Qing government in exchange for a military commission.
During the Second Opium War and the Taiping Rebellion, piratical junks were again destroyed in large numbers by British naval forces but ultimately it wasn’t until the 1860s and 1870s that fleets of pirate junks ceased to exist.
Images of Chinese pirates
Chinesepirateship‘s artillery cannons
In order to avoid hijacking, some ships were protected by an iron fence
Gulangyu Island’s Colonial Era Architecture: A Journey into the Past
Xiamen, also known as Amoy, is a small but bustling city located in southern China that overlooks the Straits of Taiwan. With a population of over two and a half million people, Xiamen is considered small by Chinese standards but has always been an important trading port due to its advantageous geographical position.
Despite its modest size, Xiamen is a cosmopolitan city that has retained its multi-ethnic past. Visitors can observe the particular mix of European, Chinese, and Japanese architecture that is present throughout the city. A must-visit spot is the nearby small island of Gulangyu, which is known for its varied colonial architecture and Mediterranean climate.
Gulangyu has an interesting history that dates back to the mid-1800s when the British established their first concession on the island. Later on, the Japanese and Americans also took an interest in the island as a possible naval base. However, after the conquest of the Philippines in 1899, they abandoned the idea. Despite this, foreign powers continued to open consulates and trade offices in Xiamen. In 1902, a city council was elected, consisting of six representatives from both foreign and Chinese backgrounds. Fourteen nations opened representative offices, including Germany, France, Denmark, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, and the Philippines.
Today, Gulangyu is a tranquil island that bans cars and bikes, which helps to create a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can hear only the sounds of the wind, trees, and the many pianos and organs that can be found on the island. In fact, Gulangyu holds a special record for having the most number of pianos per capita.
Xiamen and Gulangyu are unique destinations that offer a mix of history, architecture, and natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy the bustling city life in Xiamen and then take a short ferry ride to the peaceful island of Gulangyu to escape the hustle and bustle.
The photographs depict the intricate designs of Western-style structures prevalent on Gulangyu Island. These buildings, ranging from large mansions to simpler residences, reflect the impact of various foreign entities that have influenced the island’s architectural landscape over time.
Images of Gulangyu, Xiamen
Photos: Matteo Damiani
Topic: places to visit xiamen China, where to go in xiamen,what to see in xiamen,xiamen holiday, xiamen china
Discovering the Hidden Gems of the Stone Forest, Beyond the Crowds and Tourist Hotspots The Stone Forest in Yunnan, China is a natural wonder that … Read more
Finding peace and serenity in the midst of a busy country Three small harbors in China: Xiamen, Gulangyu, and Kunming. China is known for its … Read more
Explore the Iconic Landmarks, Bustling Streets, and Rich Culture of Hong Kong in Matteo Damiani’s Captivating Photos Ah, Hong Kong! Undoubtedly Hong Kong is a … Read more
During 1946-47 the Great Famine hit Southern China, in particular Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hunan provinces, affecting tens of millions of people. At least 1,7 million were starved to death.
Only in Hunan, died 900.000 people. These images were taken in 1946.
During this period, the civil war between Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party) and the Communist Party, was in full swing.
The Consequences of Blending Science and Superstition in Qigong
In the aftermath of the Gang of Four’s collapse, Qigong emerged as a means for China to rediscover its cultural identity, which had been severely tested by the Cultural Revolution’s catastrophic effects on the nation’s cultural and relational systems.
Seeking a unique path toward modernization, China attempted to fast-track scientific progress by blending unconventional science with superstition, ultimately leading to bizarre and damaging consequences in the long term.
From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, Qigong served as the focal point of China’s exploration into the boundaries of human potential through the development of extraordinary abilities (known as teyigongneng in Chinese). The Chinese government invested significant resources into various Qigong practitioners and self-proclaimed gurus, who capitalized on popular beliefs and an underdeveloped scientific community to advance a plethora of imaginative ideas, seminars, therapies, hospitals, clinics, and even peculiar military experiments.
China was wholly consumed by the Qigong craze until it was abruptly quashed. Nevertheless, before the ultimate tragedy of the Falun Gong—China’s most popular Qigong school until 1999—the history of these movements is marked by a series of eccentric episodes. In October 1999, the Chinese government declared Falun Gong a “heretical organization” that posed a threat to social stability.
Making money writing health books it’s easy in China, especially if you’re a celebrity …
The 80s
In the ’80s and early ’90s Qigong presentations took place in front of a delirious audience. Beijing. People collectively preachingBeijing Beidahe, January 2, 1981. Zhan Zhuang postureIn 1981, China established the Chinese Qigong Science Research Council, qigong fever began to spread throughout the country. In the picture, a Qigong Troupe visited Britain.
1986
October 7th, 1986. Chinese Antarctic expedition team members practicing QigongDuring the winter of 1989, Ditan Park in Beijing was a favorite place to practice Qigong. At that time other mystical beliefs were combined with the practice of Qigong. Buddhist Lohan GongWinter 1989. Qigong transformed itself from martial art to spiritual treatment of incurable diseasesAcupuncture treatment for Bulgarian ambassador performed by Zhu Heting. He claimed to treat diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, paralysis, cancer, and cataracts.1989, August 31st. A six years old kid practicing qigong to lose weight1989, January 5th. A Qigong master in a Beijing hotel treating an American English teacher
Weird Science
Qigong Science Research Association of Guangdong Province developed the “Electronic Qigong Master”. Allegedly treated cervical hypertrophy, muscle strain, arthritis, headaches, palpitations, myopia, insomnia, and other 20 kinds of diseases.1986, November 15th. In Sichuan, local scientists developed a system to mimic the process of qigong practice1987, April 7th. Qigong began to be uncontrollable. Magic and science started to go hand in hand. Shanghai Institute of Chinese Medicine practiced anesthesia to patients for surgery with qigong1987, January 10th. A qigong master treats patients using qigong hypnosis1987, November 30th. All the ordinary magic tricks began to be used by qigong masters in order to demonstrate their powers: swallowing glass, curving spoon, mind control, instant healing, etc.1992, December 28th. Chinese dragon magic.1992, Harbin. In this period the blockbuster books were Qigong manuals.1995, May 24th. Liaoning Province Qigong Medical Association. Qigong has begun to replace traditional medical treatment with qigong1995, May 24th. Li Zhenghong teaching qigong rehabilitation for diabetes.
Zhang Xiangyu
Miaofengshan Advanced Qigong training, Beijing. The pot on the head should converge the universe force to strengthen the telepathy
In 1990, a woman master of Qi Gong, Zhang Xiangyu, pushed its influence to a peak with her performance in Beijing. Millions of “pilgrims” gathered from several provinces to see her and caused great traffic jams. When Zhang waved her hand out of a window of the third floor of the hotel, the “pilgrims” in the street cheered. Zhang claimed that she could talk with extraterrestrial beings and was able to cure every disease. She treated her patients with methods similar to those of witchcraft and demanded large amounts of money from them. Many patients became ill under her treatment and some of them died. In August, Zhang was arrested and accused of cheating. The exposition of her swindle weakened the cult of Qi Gong. Zhang was convicted in 1993 (from Paranormal in China, Wu Xianghong, March 1995, Csicop.org)
Wang Lin
Wang Lin, is a phony Qigong master, became famous for Qigong in the 1990s and he has been exposed by Beijing News in July 2013. Then, he fled to Hong Kong and he claimed to be the Chinese Snowden. He has been charged with Illegal medicine practice, bigamy, fraud, tax evasion, bribery, gambling, and illegal possession of firearms.
Pang Ming
Pang Ming (aka Pang Minghe) developed a medical system called Wisdom Healing Qigong (Zhineng Qigong, 智能气功) during late 1970. It was a synthesis of many supposed ancient lineages of Chinese healing practices.
Zhineng Qigong Instant Healing
Sun Chulin
Sun Chulin claimed to be able to change shape to materials with the power of the mind. She was considered by many as a living proof of the existence of SA. According to many Chinese sites, she was capable of accelerating the biological development of organisms by thousands of times.
The second part of the video is interestingly enough: Sun engaged in a sort of mystical ecstasy to grow a seed.
Qigong Master: Demonstration Of Power
The supernatural powers of Zhang Baosheng (arrested for fraud in 1995) <>
Jinyun Mountain Taoist Association had 30,000 followers, including business tycoon Jack Ma, the founder of Chinese e-commerce firm alibaba.com, and pop singer Faye Wong. The aim is to restore kidney functions through massage. Li Yi, the founder of the Jinyun Mountain Taoist Association had been the focus of a police probe over an allegation of raping a college student. Li is the latest “grandmaster” exposed as a fraud
Abbot Lee Shao-Long Li of Jinyun Mountain Taoist Association during a lecturing. This year its supposed magical properties have been questioned and were accused of fraud
Zhang Wuben, a once-popular Chinese diet therapist, was found by officials in May to have faked his nutritionist qualifications
Making money writing health books it’s easy in China, especially if you’re a celebrity …
How Eunuchs were made A eunuch in ancient China was a man castrated, typically early enough in his childhood to have major hormonal consequences in … Read more
Getu-River National Park in Guizhou Province, not far from Anshun is dotted by hundreds of mountains eroded by the force of water and wind. In a large cave live today 18 people (in 2007 they were about one hundred), all of the Miao ethnic minority group.
The villagers of Tajing have lived here for centuries. The largest cave is approximately 230 meters long, 115 wide, and 50 high. In China, they became famous after a China Daily article in 2007, which depicted them as modern troglodytes. Other articles claimed they were the last tribe who lived in a cave in Asia (but that’s not true). They have developed into a quasi-tribal society. Inside the cave, there are many houses, all without a roof, a school, and a basketball court. Most of the people left the village in search of money and job opportunities. However, many others refused to leave the village and even refused new houses built by the local government. In Southwest China, there is also another village in a cave, Fengyandong, in Yunnan province.
The new houses built by the government and refused by the villagers
Chinese Communist locomotives In 1946, the Manzhouli railway station, located in Inner Mongolia on the main rail line to Harbin, became notable for an event … Read more
The Desperation of Famine: Cannibalism in China’s Great Leap Forward Cannibalism in China. During the disastrous country renovation of the Great Leap Forward, China experienced … Read more
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