Zhan Shichai standing next to the photographer Lai Afong

Zhan Shichai (Chinese: 詹世釵) (between 1841 and 1847 – 5 November 1893) was a Chinese giant who toured the world as "Chang the Chinese Giant" in the 19th century; his stage name is "Chang Woo Gow".

Zhan was born in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, in the 1840s, though reports of the year vary from 1841 to 1847. His height was claimed to be over 8 feet (2.44 m), but there are no authoritative records. He left China in 1865 to travel to London where he appeared on stage, later travelling around Europe, and to the U.S. and Australia as "Chang the Chinese Giant". Zhan received a good education in various countries, and developed a good understanding of ten languages. In America, he earned a salary of $500 a month.[1]

Zhan's first wife, Kin Foo, accompanied him on his trip across Europe and she performed alongside her husband until she fell ill and died while traveling to Australia in 1871. The following year, Zhan later married Catherine Santley, a Liverpudlian whom he met in Sydney, Australia. They had two children: Edwin, born in 1877 in Shanghai, and Ernest, born in 1879 in Paris.

In 1878, Zhan retired from the stage and settled in Bournemouth, where he opened a Chinese teahouse and a store selling Chinese imports.

Zhan died in Bournemouth in 1893, four months after his wife, aged around 50. His coffin was 8 feet 6 inches (2.6 m) long.[2]

Chang Yu-sing the Chinese giant, and Chung Mow, his attendant dwarf

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sophie Couchman (26 March 2003). "Chang Woo Gow ('Chang the Chinese Giant') (1840s - 1893)". Chinese-Australian Historical Images in Australia. Chinese Museum. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
  2. ↑ The Gentle Giant, based on an article in the London evening newspaper "The Star" for 9 November 1893
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