Other Documents in National Palace Museum

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of documents from the Qing dynasty! Here you will find a variety of different documents that tell us about the history of China during this period. We have Edicts for the Personal Rule of the T'ung-chih Emperor, Gold-leaf Tributary Document from Siam and Diplomatic Credentials Presented by The Great Qing Empire's Overseas Survey Envoy to The Great British Empire. These documents provide us with an insight into how people interacted with each other during this time period and how the government responded to foreign affairs. Come take a look at these fascinating artifacts today!

1. Edicts: Edict for the Personal Rule of the T'ung-chih Emperor

An edict is a decree or instruction issued by the emperor. It is written in both Chinese and Manchu.

2. Gold-leaf Tributary Document from Siam

This document is the "Gold-leaf Tributary Document from Siam" and it has a very beautiful binding. The word "piao" was the term that the Qing dynasty government required that its vassal states use to refer to themselves when writing to the emperors of China.

3. Diplomatic Credential Presented by the Great Qing Empire's Overseas Survey Envoy to the Great British Empire

The diplomatic credentials in the National Palace Museum collection include dispatches to various countries. After the Opium War and the campaign against the allied English and French forces, the Qing government began to change its attitude towards foreign affairs in an attempt to adapt to the new political climate.