Bored in self-isolation? 10 ways Qing dynasty royals entertained themselves inside the Forbidden City that may help you out

We have been social distancing for months thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. Sporting events, concerts and other mass gatherings have been cancelled. However, as the American writer and philosopher Robert M. Pirsig quipped: “Boredom always precedes a period of great creativity”. Perhaps we all need to be a little bored to generate our most inventive ideas.

A collection of various games and activities found inside the Forbidden City in Beijing may shed light on how the royals – who were never allowed to leave the palace – banished boredom. They illustrate the technical virtuosity of Qing dynasty (1636–1912) craftsmen, and also provide a window on life and culture in late imperial China.

1. The magician automaton

With height and width of 74cm and 36cm respectively, this automaton from the 19th century was made in France.

A magician figure is standing beside a table with two cups on the left and right as well as an empty dice in the middle. Underneath the cups are fruit props while inside the dice is a little doll with curly golden hair.

Once the widget is wound up, the magician will use his magic wand to point at the cups and dice one after another. Every time the cups open, they shows different fruit, and the little girl pops up alternately as the dice opens and closes. The magician’s head turns left and right during the “performance” while music plays along.

2. The classical card set

Playing cards was one of the popular games among people in ancient China. The concubines inside the Forbidden City were also fans of the pastime.