Kangxi Emperor Biography

The Kangxi Emperor was a Chinese monarch and the third ruler of the Qing dynasty. He ruled over China for 61 years, which made him the longest ruling Chinese king in the country’s five thousand years’ history. A fearless warrior and clever strategist, Kangxi not only quelled interior rebellions, but also extended China’s border by annexing Taiwan, subjugating the Mongols and restricting the Russians at Amur River. He was an equally effective administrator, who took adequate measures to control the flood-prone Yellow River, repair the Grand Canal and open Chinese ports to foreign ships, thus bringing in relative prosperity and peace to the region after years of strife. Passionate about learning, he not only promoted ancient Chinese literature, but also welcomed Western technology. Although initially he issued an edict to protect the Christians, he banned their missions when the missionaries began to condemn Chinese rites. He died at the age of 68 in Qingxi Shuwu, Garden of Eternal Spring.