Black and white photograph of a town in the distance with several cottages between the town and the photographer. A pile of stones is stacked near one of the cottages in the foreground. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal…

Black and white photograph of a stone cottage from the street. A group of people are visible standing on the porch.

Black and white photograph of eight white people, including five men and three women, sitting around a table on a porch. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu. The images shows cottages scattered across a countryside in front of a mountain.

Black and white photograph of a field surrounded by trees with sand dunes in the distance. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of two Chinese men in front of an open door. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu. The image appears to be double exposed with a view of a pier and tide gauge house across…

Black and white photograph of a Chinese man standing next to a tide gauge house and pier. Another person is visible standing on top of the pier. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of Lena Merrill standing behind a horse-drawn wagon. Several beach tents are behind the wagon. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of Lena Merrill and another woman, "Kam," standing in front of large tents on the beach. Lena is holding the leash of a small monkey seated at their feet. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort…

Black and white photograph of a group of people sitting in a mule-drawn wagon. Three people are standing on the ground behind the wagon. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a pier surrounded by ships. A rowboat is visible floating closer to the photographer. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a small wooden tide gauge house under the end of the pier. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a small wooden tide gauge house under the end of the pier. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a pier buildings along the shore. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a steamboat filled with people sailing away from the coast. A sign for the Asiatic Petroleum Company is visible in the background. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of a steamboat filled with people sailing away from the coast. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of nine white men men standing next to the railing of a boat wearing suits and hats.

Black and white photograph of a steamboat moored to a crowded boardwalk. "Ching Ling Tien Tsih" is visible on the stern.

Black and white photograph of the Ching Ling Tien Tsih steamboat.

Black and white photograph of three people on an automobile parked on a dirt road next to a paifang flanked by statues of horses. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of Lena Merrill (left) and unidentified Chinese man (right) standing on either side of an arched doorway. In the far distance of the arch, a large stone building or temple is visible.

Black and white photograph of Lena Merrill (right) and an unidentified Chinese (left) man standing in front of the steps to a Chinese building with sloped roofs.

Black and white photograph of a shoreline with many sailing ships pulled up on the shore and in the water. In the left background there are several buildings. Photograph was taken by Robert Merrill in the Chinese coastal resort area of Beidaihe Qu.

Black and white photograph of the front of a two-story house with a large front porch. Awnings are covering the porch. The photo was taken from the street.