[Podcast] The rise of Empress Dowager Cixi

Podcast

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From left to right: Prince Gong, Empress Dowager Cixi, Empress Dowager Ci’an. Illustration for The China Project by Alex Santafé

The Empress Dowager Cixi was only 26 when she took over as China’s ruler. She remained on top for the next half-century. How did she navigate the perilous halls of imperial power to become known as the most powerful woman in Chinese history?

Click here to read the article by James Carter.

Narrated by Kaiser Kuo.

China Stories is published twice weekly, on Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.