Rare Old Pictorial Map of Beijing by Dorn, 1936: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs, Great Wall

Step into the vibrant history of Beijing with Frank Dorn's meticulously illustrated 1936 masterpiece, "A Map and History of Peiping (Beijing)." This map is a visual feast, adorned with rich, full-color vignettes that capture the essence of Beijing's cultural and historical heritage. Each corner of this map is brimming with scenes of daily life, historic landmarks, and significant events, offering a detailed and engaging portrayal of the city as it stood in the 1930s. The artistry and attention to detail make this map not just a navigational tool but a work of art that tells the story of one of the world's most storied cities.

Frank Dorn, an American artist and military officer, brings his unique perspective and artistic flair to this map, creating a piece that is both informative and visually stunning. Dorn's background in the military and his artistic talents converge to provide a comprehensive and aesthetically pleasing depiction of Beijing. His map is not just a geographical representation but a historical document that captures the spirit and culture of the city during a time of significant change and development.

The map highlights some of Beijing's most iconic landmarks, including the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace. These sites, steeped in history and cultural significance, are beautifully illustrated and labeled, making them easily identifiable. The inclusion of the Great Wall of China, the Ming Tombs, and various city gates such as Deshengmen and Andingmen further enriches the historical context of the map. Each landmark is depicted with meticulous detail, reflecting its importance in the cultural and historical tapestry of Beijing.

In addition to its focus on landmarks, the map also provides a glimpse into the daily life and activities of Beijing's residents. Scenes of markets, street vendors, and traditional Chinese theater and opera are interspersed throughout the map, offering a vivid portrayal of the city's vibrant culture. The depiction of agricultural activities, religious festivals, and various temples and shrines adds depth to the map, showcasing the diverse and multifaceted nature of life in Beijing during the 1930s.

This map is not just a historical artifact but a celebration of Beijing's rich heritage. It serves as a valuable resource for historians, collectors, and anyone with an interest in the history and culture of one of the world's oldest and most fascinating cities. The combination of detailed illustrations, historical accuracy, and artistic beauty makes Frank Dorn's "A Map and History of Peiping (Beijing)" a truly exceptional piece that captures the essence of Beijing in a way that few other maps can.

Places on this map

• The Forbidden City
• The Temple of Heaven
• The Summer Palace
• The Ming Tombs
• The Bell Tower
• The Drum Tower
• The Lama Temple
• The Imperial City
• The Legation Quarter
• The Marco Polo Bridge
• The Grand Canal
• Deshengmen Gate
• Andingmen Gate
• The Beijing Zoo
• The Ancient Observatory
• The Hall of Supreme Harmony
• The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
• The Nine Dragon Screen
• The White Dagoba
• The Jade Island

Notable Features & Landmarks

• The Great Wall of China
• The Forbidden City
• The Temple of Heaven
• The Summer Palace
• The Ming Tombs
• The Bell Tower
• The Drum Tower
• The Lama Temple
• The Imperial City
• The Legation Quarter
• The Marco Polo Bridge
• The Grand Canal
• Various city gates (e.g., Deshengmen, Andingmen)
• The Beijing Zoo
• The Ancient Observatory
• The Hall of Supreme Harmony
• The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
• The Nine Dragon Screen
• The White Dagoba
• The Jade Island
• The Old City Walls
• Scenes of daily life, including markets and street vendors
• Historical events and scenes, such as battles and ceremonies
• Various temples and shrines
• Depictions of traditional Chinese architecture
• Illustrations of animals, including dragons and tigers
• Waterways and bridges within the city
• Agricultural activities and rural life
• Cultural and religious festivals
• Scenes of traditional Chinese theater and opera
• Illustrations of Chinese folklore and legends

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: A Map and History of Peiping (Beijing)
• Extra notes:
• This is an elaborately illustrated map.
• It includes vignettes of dozens of sights, animals, human activities, and historic scenes with labels.
• The map is in full color.
• Date of creation: 1936
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Frank Dorn
• Frank Dorn was an American artist and military officer known for his detailed and artistic maps.
• Topics and themes:
• The map focuses on the historical and cultural aspects of Beijing (Peiping), China.
• It showcases historical events, landmarks, and daily life in Beijing.
• Countries and regions shown:
• The map primarily depicts the city of Beijing (Peiping), China.
• Design/Style:
• The map is highly decorative and pictorial, featuring rich illustrations and vibrant colors.
• It includes detailed vignettes and labels for various sights and activities.
• Historical significance:
• The map provides a historical snapshot of Beijing in the 1930s, highlighting its cultural and historical heritage.
• It serves as a valuable resource for understanding the city's layout and significant landmarks during that period.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.