Caishikou Execution Grounds


Caishikou Execution Grounds, also known as Vegetable Market Execution Ground, was an important execution ground in Beijing during the Qing dynasty era. It was located at the crossroads of Xuanwumen Outer Street and Luomashi Street. The exact location is under debate today. However, contemporary sources and photographs put it across from the Heniantang Pharmacy.
Executions were usually carried out at 11:30 AM. On the day of the execution, the convict would be carted from the jail cell to the execution grounds. The cart stopped at a wine shop named Broken Bowl on the east side of Xuanwu Gate, where the convict would be offered a bowl of rice wine. The bowl would be smashed after it was drunk. During the executions of infamous convicts, it was common for a large crowd to gather and watch. The torture death by a thousand cuts was also carried out at the execution grounds.
The Catholic bishop Alphonse Favier wrote about the execution ground in the 1890s:

Notable individuals executed at Caishikou

Most of these executions were carried out by beheading, with only specific crimes being punished by death by a thousand cuts.