In 1936 Frank Dorn created one of the most fascinating maps of republican Beijing ever made. He had spent a couple of months riding around the dusty streets of the city on his heavy bicycle gathering information for his map. It was restlessness, bordering on boredom, that had propelled him into the hutong alleyways. He could not stand the dull company of missionaries and embassy personnel who would have preferred to be back home, and wanted to explore and try to understand the city he was living in.
“Frank Dorn´s Beijing” is the life story of a naval officer who developed an enormous affection for Beijing, published a book about the Forbidden City, and worked just under the renowned American General Stilwell during the Second World War.
We will furthermore use the Frank Dorn map as a window to 1930s Beijing, especially focusing on the things that have either disappeared or been forgotten. Have you, for instance, ever heard about the Imperial elephant stables, the temple of 18 hells, the “Camel Bell” shop, the iron pagoda, the British cemetery, the yellow temple, or the thieves’ market? These are just a few of the things that were important places during Frank Dorn´s stay in the city which we will investigate, as well as paying attention to the things that he chose not to feature in the map.
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: 100RMB (This is a Beijing Postcards Book Club talk, so it’s 50RMB for Book Club members. Email us to join the Book Club and receive the discount code.)