ABSTRACT
This article examines a series of late Qing and Republican land contracts held by Guangzhou resident, Mrs. Liu. These documents include purchase of a house, new purchase deed, tax payment for adding a building addition, property protection, and receipt of temporary tax. The article explores the significance of these documents to urban history. Although these documents are not all of the same type, they show how the state has increased its power to control and manage urban property in the modern period. At the same time, oral interviews reveal the strong emotional sentiment, and help us understand the struggle of ordinary urbanites understood and protected their “right of ownership” of their own real estate.
