Jonathan Chatwin
@jmchatwin.bsky.social
Non-fiction writer.
Writes about travel, China, sometimes both simultaneously.
‘The Southern Tour: Deng Xiaoping and the Fight for China’s Future’ (2024).
‘Long Peace Street: A walk in modern China’ (2019)
‘Anywhere Out of the World’ (2012)
Writes about travel, China, sometimes both simultaneously.
‘The Southern Tour: Deng Xiaoping and the Fight for China’s Future’ (2024).
‘Long Peace Street: A walk in modern China’ (2019)
‘Anywhere Out of the World’ (2012)
Two photographs by Sha Fei (沙飞, 1912–1950), one of China’s first photojournalists.
📷 Eighth Route Army recapturing Pingxingguan Pass, Shanxi, 1937 — University of Bristol, Historical Photographs of China, ref. ML02-d145
📷 Eighth Route Army fighting on the Futuyu Great Wall, Laiyuan, Hebei, 1938
📷 Eighth Route Army recapturing Pingxingguan Pass, Shanxi, 1937 — University of Bristol, Historical Photographs of China, ref. ML02-d145
📷 Eighth Route Army fighting on the Futuyu Great Wall, Laiyuan, Hebei, 1938
November 9, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Two photographs by Sha Fei (沙飞, 1912–1950), one of China’s first photojournalists.
📷 Eighth Route Army recapturing Pingxingguan Pass, Shanxi, 1937 — University of Bristol, Historical Photographs of China, ref. ML02-d145
📷 Eighth Route Army fighting on the Futuyu Great Wall, Laiyuan, Hebei, 1938
📷 Eighth Route Army recapturing Pingxingguan Pass, Shanxi, 1937 — University of Bristol, Historical Photographs of China, ref. ML02-d145
📷 Eighth Route Army fighting on the Futuyu Great Wall, Laiyuan, Hebei, 1938
Photos by Xu Xiaobing (1916–2009), a key photographer for the Chinese Communist Party from the 1930s–1960s.
Xu documented Red Army and PLA soldiers during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Civil War; the third image here is of Peng Dehuai, PRC defence minister (1954–1959).
Xu documented Red Army and PLA soldiers during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Civil War; the third image here is of Peng Dehuai, PRC defence minister (1954–1959).
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Photos by Xu Xiaobing (1916–2009), a key photographer for the Chinese Communist Party from the 1930s–1960s.
Xu documented Red Army and PLA soldiers during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Civil War; the third image here is of Peng Dehuai, PRC defence minister (1954–1959).
Xu documented Red Army and PLA soldiers during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Civil War; the third image here is of Peng Dehuai, PRC defence minister (1954–1959).
In a very drizzly Oxford for my talk on Deng Xiaoping’s Southern Tour- open to all!
October 29, 2025 at 11:08 AM
In a very drizzly Oxford for my talk on Deng Xiaoping’s Southern Tour- open to all!
From Robert Suettinger’s book on Hu Yaobang I learned that Hu, like Deng Xiaoping, preferred to live outside the confines of Zhongnanhai. Hu’s house was at 会计司胡同25号; now gated off from public view. There is apparently a reproduction somewhere in his home province of Hunan…
September 16, 2025 at 8:21 PM
From Robert Suettinger’s book on Hu Yaobang I learned that Hu, like Deng Xiaoping, preferred to live outside the confines of Zhongnanhai. Hu’s house was at 会计司胡同25号; now gated off from public view. There is apparently a reproduction somewhere in his home province of Hunan…
The Flying Tigers (American Volunteer Group) were U.S. pilots recruited in 1941 to aid China before America’s entry into WWII. Based in Yunnan, they flew Curtiss P-40s against Japan. Photos from Harrison Forman’s 1942 series show Col. Claire Chennault and pilot R.T. Smith at Kunming.
September 15, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The Flying Tigers (American Volunteer Group) were U.S. pilots recruited in 1941 to aid China before America’s entry into WWII. Based in Yunnan, they flew Curtiss P-40s against Japan. Photos from Harrison Forman’s 1942 series show Col. Claire Chennault and pilot R.T. Smith at Kunming.
Others climbed for perspective. Confucius said from its peak “the world looked small.” The Tang poet Du Fu vowed: “One day I shall reach its highest peak / And hold the mountains below in a single glance.”
(Photo from the Splendid China Miniature Park, Shenzhen)
www.amazon.co.uk/Southern-Tou...
(Photo from the Splendid China Miniature Park, Shenzhen)
www.amazon.co.uk/Southern-Tou...
August 24, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Others climbed for perspective. Confucius said from its peak “the world looked small.” The Tang poet Du Fu vowed: “One day I shall reach its highest peak / And hold the mountains below in a single glance.”
(Photo from the Splendid China Miniature Park, Shenzhen)
www.amazon.co.uk/Southern-Tou...
(Photo from the Splendid China Miniature Park, Shenzhen)
www.amazon.co.uk/Southern-Tou...
From the Qin onwards, rulers made pilgrimages to Taishan. Qin Shihuang performed the fengshan sacrifices there; Han emperors offered jade and silk at its altars; Tang Xuanzong left stone inscriptions on the slopes. 2/3
August 24, 2025 at 9:26 AM
From the Qin onwards, rulers made pilgrimages to Taishan. Qin Shihuang performed the fengshan sacrifices there; Han emperors offered jade and silk at its altars; Tang Xuanzong left stone inscriptions on the slopes. 2/3
In March 1990, Deng Xiaoping invoked Mount Tai before Party leaders: “No matter how the international situation changes, so long as we can ensure appropriate economic growth, we shall stand firm as Mount Tai.” 1/3
August 24, 2025 at 9:21 AM
In March 1990, Deng Xiaoping invoked Mount Tai before Party leaders: “No matter how the international situation changes, so long as we can ensure appropriate economic growth, we shall stand firm as Mount Tai.” 1/3
Soon he was on the road. Where he’d once seen rice fields + fishponds, Shenzhen was now highways and towers of glass. In 1984 the SEZ had <350k people; by 1992, >1m. In the wider city: 2.3m. “Shenzhen is developing so fast. It exceeds my expectations.” 3/3
www.amazon.co.uk/Southern-Tou...
www.amazon.co.uk/Southern-Tou...
August 23, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Soon he was on the road. Where he’d once seen rice fields + fishponds, Shenzhen was now highways and towers of glass. In 1984 the SEZ had <350k people; by 1992, >1m. In the wider city: 2.3m. “Shenzhen is developing so fast. It exceeds my expectations.” 3/3
www.amazon.co.uk/Southern-Tou...
www.amazon.co.uk/Southern-Tou...
Eight years earlier, on a 1984 visit, Deng had written the line: “The development and experience of Shenzhen prove that our policy of establishing the Special Economic Zones is correct.” That inscription was a crucial endorsement at a tricky time for the SEZs. 2/3
August 23, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Eight years earlier, on a 1984 visit, Deng had written the line: “The development and experience of Shenzhen prove that our policy of establishing the Special Economic Zones is correct.” That inscription was a crucial endorsement at a tricky time for the SEZs. 2/3
On 19 Jan 1992, Deng Xiaoping stepped off the train in Shenzhen. After greetings from local officials, he was driven to the Shenzhen Guesthouse. His villa had just been refurbished: cream furnishings, floral fabrics, and a large desk with inkstone + brushes laid out. 1/3
August 23, 2025 at 8:24 AM
On 19 Jan 1992, Deng Xiaoping stepped off the train in Shenzhen. After greetings from local officials, he was driven to the Shenzhen Guesthouse. His villa had just been refurbished: cream furnishings, floral fabrics, and a large desk with inkstone + brushes laid out. 1/3
Yankai, Yunnan, ca 1943-45: A farmer poses with hoe in hand, wearing a well-worn leather cap unusual for the region. He was particularly proud of his beard, noted photographer Bert Krawczyk.
July 24, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Yankai, Yunnan, ca 1943-45: A farmer poses with hoe in hand, wearing a well-worn leather cap unusual for the region. He was particularly proud of his beard, noted photographer Bert Krawczyk.
Snow in Yunnan: Winter 1943–45. Locals insisted it be photographed—first snow in years. Rust-red earth, dark trees, wooden carts: a brief, surreal scene “like a Currier and Ives print,” noted US Army photographer Bert Krawczyk.
July 22, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Snow in Yunnan: Winter 1943–45. Locals insisted it be photographed—first snow in years. Rust-red earth, dark trees, wooden carts: a brief, surreal scene “like a Currier and Ives print,” noted US Army photographer Bert Krawczyk.
Precarious crossing: Frederic W. Carey, HM Customs officer, photographed life in Yunnan (1896–1902) while stationed in Szemao (Simao, in southern Yunnan).
University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: FC01-07
University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: FC01-07
July 21, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Precarious crossing: Frederic W. Carey, HM Customs officer, photographed life in Yunnan (1896–1902) while stationed in Szemao (Simao, in southern Yunnan).
University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: FC01-07
University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: FC01-07
Mist rolling off the Doom bar this morning.
July 17, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Mist rolling off the Doom bar this morning.
First plane to reach Lijiang: Dr Joseph Rock stands photographing the Ford Tri-Motor ‘Kunming’ near Lijiang, 1936. Chartered to survey the Yulong Xueshan range & Yangtze gorges. A few onlookers became 2,000 in hours.
July 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
First plane to reach Lijiang: Dr Joseph Rock stands photographing the Ford Tri-Motor ‘Kunming’ near Lijiang, 1936. Chartered to survey the Yulong Xueshan range & Yangtze gorges. A few onlookers became 2,000 in hours.
Cornwall, after the heatwave…
July 16, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Cornwall, after the heatwave…
Sketch of the Temple of Heaven, 1873, from the Illustrated London News.
July 4, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Sketch of the Temple of Heaven, 1873, from the Illustrated London News.
The crisis in China, 1900: General Frey, his staff, and the French detachment entering the Imperial Palace through the north gate. Illustrated London News.
July 3, 2025 at 9:13 PM
The crisis in China, 1900: General Frey, his staff, and the French detachment entering the Imperial Palace through the north gate. Illustrated London News.
1861 sketch of ‘Curiosity Street’, Peking; from the Illustrated London News.
June 14, 2025 at 4:43 PM
1861 sketch of ‘Curiosity Street’, Peking; from the Illustrated London News.
Lama and Confucius temples, Peking - early 20th century, photographed by Gertrude Bass Warner.
June 11, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Lama and Confucius temples, Peking - early 20th century, photographed by Gertrude Bass Warner.
Protestor outside the Capitol, June 5th 1989 - ‘Down with Nazi Deng’
June 4, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Protestor outside the Capitol, June 5th 1989 - ‘Down with Nazi Deng’
A street scene in late Qing-dynasty Beijing—layers of commerce, Peking dust, and daily life. Likely around Qianmen, ca 1900.
June 4, 2025 at 12:52 PM
A street scene in late Qing-dynasty Beijing—layers of commerce, Peking dust, and daily life. Likely around Qianmen, ca 1900.
Market near the Drum Tower, Peking, ca 1900.
June 3, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Market near the Drum Tower, Peking, ca 1900.
Two images of Hong Kong, ca 1870; looking down across what is now the Botanical Gardens towards the harbour, and another from the Murray Parade Ground towards St John’s Cathedral.
May 20, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Two images of Hong Kong, ca 1870; looking down across what is now the Botanical Gardens towards the harbour, and another from the Murray Parade Ground towards St John’s Cathedral.