Observations on Great Qing and Little Anping

Portrait of Pak Je-ga (1750-1811). He is known for publishing books critical of Neo-Confucian state policies as well as chapbooks of untraditional verse.

Observations on Great Qing and Little Anping (Koekhanmoentsja: 大清와小安平觀察) is a Corean travelogue book & diary written in the 1770s by scholar and activist Pak Je-ga while on his travels to China and colonial Tauland. It gives vivid descriptions of the political, economic, and social situation of late 18th century Asia. It is a source of important historical details such as the structure and origin of the Tauuan States-General, Sino-Dutch fortifications, and the incompetence of the Chinese Imperial Navy.

Introduction to the book

Structure

The book is divided into a preface and eight chapters. The first three chapters were written in mainland China, the fourth was composed while en transit from China to Tauland, while the last four were composed in Tauland, at sea, and in Corea.

Chapters

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

Language and script

Pak Je-ga's native and primary language was Corean, which was the tongue the vast majority of the book was written in. However, there are few excerpts written in Chinese and Dutch, mainly quotes or explanations.