Mounted foreign troops beside the Imperial light railway track, Beihai, Peking
Collection
Identifier
NA06-39
Copyright
© Crown copyright 2011
Notes
University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: NA06-39. From an album (WO 28/302. China. Boxer Rebellion) in The National Archives. Crown copyright image reproduced by permission of The National Archives, London, England. The National Archives give no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of the information provided. This image may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education. Applications for any other use should be made to The National Archives Image Library, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU, UK. Telephone: 020 8392 5225. Fax: 020 8392 5266. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action. No caption for this photograph in the album. This picture shows foreign troops next to the 600mm narrow-gauge railway track of the Emperor's miniature railway, constructed along the western banks of the of Chunghai (中海) and Peihai (北海) lakes, which lie to the west of the Forbidden City (紫禁城), Peking (Beijing). The railway was known by various names: ‘Tower, or Hall, of Violet Light Railway’ (紫光閣鐵路 s: 紫光阁铁路 Ziguangge Tielu) , the ‘West Park (西苑 Xiyuan) Railway' and to many foreign residents also as the ‘Winter Palace Railway’. The railway had been constructed in 1888 for the exclusive use of the Imperial family. After the Boxer Uprising, the railway rolling stock was removed by the invading troops and the line soon fell into disrepair and was never rebuilt.
Location
Estimated Date
1901
Material
Paper
Media
Black and white photograph
Repository
The National Archives, London
