Kang Xi (1654-1722) was the 2nd emperor of the Qing Dynasty. His personal name was Xuanye. He was one of China’s most capable rulers. During his reign, he laid the foundation for a long period of political stability and prosperity. Under his reign, the Treaty of Nerchinsk was signed with Russia, parts of Outer Mongolia were added to China’s territory, and control was extended to Tibet.

Domestically, Kang Xi’s reign was a time of large-scale public works, such as repairing the Grand Canal to permit transportation rice to feed northern population, and dredging and banking the Yellow River to prevent destructive flooding. Kang Xi reduced taxes many times and opened four ports for foreign ships for trade. Though an ardent proponent of Neo-Confucianism, he also welcomed Jesuit missionaries, whose accomplishments led him to permit the propagation of Roman Catholicism in China. He commissioned many books, including “Kang Xi Dictionary” and “A History of the Ming Dynasty”.

For the summer program for college students, we will take students to the Forbidden City in Beijing, where the Kang Xi lived in during the Qing Dynasty. It will be a lot of fun and students get to know Chinese hiltory and Chinese culture