Diplomatic tourism is the tourism whereby diplomats visiting the foreign countries established a method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and people through dialogue and negotiation and other measures, short of war or violence.
The history of diplomatic tourism starts as early as 2850BCE with evidence of treaties signed between Mesopotamian city-states. The duration of the travel from the foreigner’s country to the hosting country can take months to years since the modes of transport is usually by foot, domestic animals, and/or boats. Factors like the weather may also be an influencing factor. Along the way, the diplomats may undergo interactions and trade with people. This leads to a spread in culture, beliefs, and aid in the economic growth of a country. However, the spread of diseases became common as well. One such route taken by diplomats to ancient China would be the Silk Road.
The diplomats will then reached the final destination in the host country where the negotiation will take place. In this case of China, the negotiation will take place in the Palace of Heavenly Purity located in the inner court of the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City was strictly guided by rules, with severe punishments for those that break it. This applies to the diplomats, and especially so when the Qing Dynasty is in power. From the greetings with the emperor to the route taken in the city, every step is a political move. This explains the holding of the negotiation at the Palace of Heavenly Purity. With the double hip roofs reversed for the most important buildings, the Palace of Heavenly Purity is thus a symbol of power for the emperor and respect for the diplomats.
Ecosystem of Diplomatic Tourism
1:5000 Urban Plan showing The Palace of Heavenly Purity within the Forbidden City
Route taken by diplomats after the Boxer Protocol
1:250 scale The Palace of Heavenly Purity, Beijing
1:50 Element showing the Emperor’s throne raised by a dais