As the British-born Tutor to the Dragon Emperor, Johnston was the only foreigner in history to be allowed inside the inner court of the Qing Dynasty.
He provides an first hand account of daily life in the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and gives many detailed descriptions of ceremonies includ.
Twilight in the Forbidden City reflects his eyewitness accounts of the memorable events of the time.
Johnston carried high imperial titles and lived in both the Forbidden City and the New Summer Palace.
As the British-born Tutor to the Dragon Emperor, Johnston was the only foreigner in history to be allowed inside the inner court of the Qing Dynasty