China’s treaty port era extended approximately from 1840 to 1943 during which time foreigners had a significant presence. This book contains photographs of many of the surviving buildings from this period, most of which were commissioned by foreign interests. Many argue that they should never have been built, let alone still be standing. But this book is not concerned with the rights and wrongs of how these buildings came to be. It simply celebrates their existence.

 

A significant number of the buildings are innately beautiful and all of them embody a history that has clear and present links to our own time and thus remain relevant.