Zhan Shi Chai
Encyclopedia
Zhan Shichai (1840s - 5 November 1893), was a Chinese giant
who toured the world as "Chang the Chinese Giant" in the 19th century, the stage name is "Chang Woo Gow".
Zhan was born in Fuzhou
in what is now Fujian Province in the 1840s, though reports of the year vary from 1841 to 1847. His height was claimed to be over 8 feet (2.4 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 US 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.
Kin Foo, the Chinese wife who accompanied Zhan from China, died in 1871, and 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 in 6 in (2.59 m) long.
Gigantism
Gigantism, also known as giantism , is a condition characterized by excessive growth and height significantly above average...
who toured the world as "Chang the Chinese Giant" in the 19th century, the stage name is "Chang Woo Gow".
Zhan was born in Fuzhou
Fuzhou
Fuzhou is the capital and one of the largest cities in Fujian Province, People's Republic of China. Along with the many counties of Ningde, those of Fuzhou are considered to constitute the Mindong linguistic and cultural area....
in what is now Fujian Province in the 1840s, though reports of the year vary from 1841 to 1847. His height was claimed to be over 8 feet (2.4 m), but there are no authoritative records. He left China in 1865 to travel to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
where he appeared on stage, later travelling around Europe, and to the US 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.
Kin Foo, the Chinese wife who accompanied Zhan from China, died in 1871, and Zhan later married Catherine Santley, a Liverpudlian
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
whom he met in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia. They had two children: Edwin, born in 1877 in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, and Ernest, born in 1879 in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
In 1878, Zhan retired from the stage and settled in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, 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 in 6 in (2.59 m) long.