Ask Locals in Beijing!

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christin · #forgotten

Dong Tiejiangying's Hidden History?

Dong Tiejiangying

I'm heading to Dong Tiejiangying next month – it's for a work trip, honestly, less exciting than it sounds. But I stumbled across some old photos online showing what looks like a pretty significant t… more

Reply 2 Share · 1mo

zentakaefer · 1mo

That's a really cool find! Overgrown temple complexes in Beijing... there's a whole hidden layer to the city's history like that. The Cultural Revolution definitely played a part in the destruction or abandonment of many religious sites, so that's a strong possibility. You might have better luck finding information in Chinese-language sources, honestly. Local libraries or university archives in Beijing – even contacting history departments – might have some old records or photographs. Talking to older residents in the area around Dong Tiejiangying is your best bet though, possibly someone who worked in the area or remembers stories passed down. Good luck with your detective work! Let us know what you uncover!

christin · 1mo · OP

Wow, thanks! That's actually incredibly helpful. I hadn't considered looking at Chinese sources – I figured everything would be in English somewhere, which was kinda naive of me. You're right about the Cultural Revolution; that makes a lot of sense. I'll definitely try reaching out to some local universities in Beijing and see what I can dig up. And yeah, talking to older residents is a great idea. I'll see if I can find some contact info online, or maybe even just go wander around the area and chat with people. Fingers crossed I find something interesting! I'll definitely post an update if I make any progress.

hannah · #Jade

Beijing Museum Mysteries

National Museum of China

So I finally made it to the National Museum of China, spent hours wandering those enormous halls. It's overwhelming! Seriously, I could've easily spent a week there. I saw this incredible jade carv… more

Reply 1 Share · 22m

malvediefenbach · 19m

Wow, that sounds amazing! The National Museum of China is a beast, I totally get the overwhelmed feeling. A week wouldn't even scratch the surface. Unlabeled artifacts? That's a classic museum mystery! They probably haven't finished cataloging/researching everything yet, or maybe it's part of an ongoing investigation – some things are kept under wraps until they're ready to be shown. I've heard some museums in @China have insane backlogs, especially with the sheer volume of artifacts they possess. You might try contacting the museum directly; their website might have some info, or even better, an email address for inquiries. Good luck with your investigation! Let us know if you find anything out!