Chang Woo Gow (Chang Yu Sing), Chinese giant

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Chang Woo Gow (Chang Yu Sing), Chinese giant

Chang Woo Gow (Chang Yu Sing, 1841-1893), celebrated Chinese Giant who toured Britain. He was 7 feet and 8.75 inches (235.5 cm) tall. Date: late 19th century

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EDITORS COMMENTS
Chang Woo Gow, or Chang Yu Sing (1841-1893), was a celebrated Chinese giant who captivated audiences in Britain during the late 19th century. Measuring an impressive 7 feet and 8.75 inches (235.5 cm) tall, Chang Woo Gow stood out as an exotic and intriguing figure in a time when the East held great fascination for Europeans. Dressed in traditional Chinese clothing, Chang Woo Gow is depicted here with a serene expression and a dignified posture, holding a fan in one hand and a parasol in the other. His towering stature and distinctive costume added to the allure of the 'Oriental' mystique that was popular in Europe at the time. Chang Woo Gow's tour of Britain began in 1884, and he was billed as the 'Chinese Hercules' or the 'Chinese Giant.' He was exhibited in various venues, including fairs, circuses, and music halls, where he would perform simple tasks to demonstrate his size and strength. His presence was a reminder of the vast cultural differences that existed between the East and the West, and he became a symbol of the exoticism and curiosity that characterized the era of Orientalism. Despite the fascination that Chang Woo Gow generated, his life was marked by hardship and exploitation. He was often subjected to humiliating exhibitions, and his earnings were controlled by his handlers. Nevertheless, he continued to tour Britain and other parts of Europe, earning a living through his unique ability to captivate audiences with his size and exotic appearance. This photograph, taken during Chang Woo Gow's time in Britain, captures a moment in history when the world seemed smaller, yet infinitely more mysterious and intriguing. It serves as a reminder of the complex and often problematic relationship between the East and the West during the late 19th century, and the enduring allure of the exotic and the unusual.

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