The commoner who becomes an emperor on Spring Festival

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Qi Xue’en wears many hats at the Temple of Earth in Beijing.

On normal days, the 60-year-old works as a gatekeeper, checking tickets and admitting visitors to the venue, which was built in 1530 during the Ming Dynasty. But once a year, he takes center stage to play the role of an emperor from the Qing Dynasty during a performance to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The Temple of Earth, also known as Ditan Park, is the site of the altar where emperors of the Ming (1368–1644) and the following Qing (1644–1912) dynasties made sacrifices to heaven and the Earth God during summer solstices.

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In 1990, the park decided to revive the old practice through historical reenactments of the traditional sacrificial ceremonies – first during the summer and winter solstices and, at a later time, during the Lunar New Year holiday, or Spring Festival.

The choice to play one of the prominent roles in the performance fell on Qi.

The man who had dropped out of school by the age of 16 and went on to work in a factory was going to wear the emperor’s clothes and claim his place as an imperial sovereign from the Qing Dynasty.

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Emperor Qianlong had an affinity for arts. The poet, essayist, painter and calligraphist led China to prosperity, and during his 60-year reign (1736–1795), the Middle Kingdom was one of the wealthiest nations in the world.

Qi had to shoulder the responsibility of representing Emperor Qianlong and preserving the halo of royalty of the sovereign who once safeguarded and restored the Chinese cultural heritage.

But walking in the shoes of an emperor, especially during a sacrificial offering ritual, means more than being carried on a sedan chair, donning elaborate attire and putting on dramatic makeup.

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The job includes a fair share of kneeling.

During his thirty-minute act, Qi has to fall on his knees for ten times and kowtow for another 30 times – and it is not always a happy experience, as Qi had discovered.

A pillow usually cushions the impact, but one time Qi bowed down unaware that a metal plaque was put in place so as the pad would not be blown away by wind. His knees were bruised, though the pain did not deter him from carrying on with the show.

Qi gained fame around the park from playing the emperor's role. His character has become so intertwined with his identity that people refer to him as “the old emperor” while addressing him.

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Twenty-seven years on, Qi is not tired of playing the part. Despite his old age and many apprentices prepping to take the helm, the amateur actor still hopes to keep leading the act.

“I do things seriously when I put on the dragon robe. I have reached the age of retirement, but I would like to keep this job for next year,” Qi confessed.

6km