China's treaty port era extended from the 1840s to 1943, during which
time foreigners had a significant presence. This book contains more than
700 photographs of many buildings from this period, most of them
commissioned by non-Chinese people and companies. 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 are
innately beautiful and all of them embody a history that has clear and
present links to our own time and thus remain relevant. This book was
driven by the author's interest in the history of China's treaty port
era, in which several generations of his family played a part. It is a
tribute to the buildings that remain as a reminder of the past, and a
guide to where to find them.