Here are at The World Of Chinese magazine we like to focus on the real issues facing modern China: pollution, food safety, hukou reform and, most importantly, just who is the most handsome man from the Republic of China period (1912-49)? It’s a complex question that has baffled some of the world’s finest minds and indeed much of the nation for up to 64 years.

Modern men are metrosexual these days, girly boys who don’t know what they want. But that wasn’t always the case. In the Chinese Republic period men were soldiers, politicians and wrote important books. Men mattered. So it is no wonder that many people decide to go back into the past in their search of more masculine eye-candy.

The problem is that rarely do any two women (or indeed men) ever really agree on who should make much such an august shortlist. Fortunately, the People’s Daily has saved us a lot of fraught soul searching and provided us a list of their very own.

First up, and for those those who like their men military, there’s Zhang Zizhong (1890-1940), a general of the Chinese National Revolutionary Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Check out the tailoring on that jacket.

If deep-set eyes and bushy eyebrows are your bag, you could do worse than Zhou Enlai (1898 -1976), first Premier of the People’s Republic of China, serving from October 1949 until his death in January 1976.

What about Qu Qiubai (January 29, 1899 – June 18, 1935)? Born in Changzhou, Jiangsu, China, leader of the Communist Party of China in the late 1920. His glasses say, “Hey ladies, I’m a thinker,” but his white scarf says he has a touch for fashion too.

Next up is owlish Hu Shi (1891 – 1962) Chinese philosopher, essayist and diplomat. He helped establish the vernacular as the official written language, but also had the most penetrating gaze.

Yuan Kewen (1889–1931) was the second son of Yuan Shikai, and the younger brother of Yuan Keding. Yuan was an expert of Chinese traditional literature and a master of calligraphy and Chinese ink painting. He was said to live a promiscuous lifestyle, but if you were a Republic Period himbo, wouldn’t you?

Then there’s the man nicknamed the ‘Young Marshal’, Zhang Xueliang (1901 – 2001), effective ruler of Manchuria and much of northern China after the assassination of his father, Zhang Zuolin, by the Japanese on 4 June 1928. He is regarded by the People’s Republic of China as a patriotic hero. He also really knew how to rock a military style cap.

Known for his magnificent helmet (pictured), Zhang Lingfu (1903–1947) was a high-ranking general of the Chinese National Revolutionary Army; he received so many battle injuries he was nicknamed the lame-legged general.

Finally, check out Mei Lanfang (October 22, 1894 – August 8, 1961), the most famous Peking opera artist in modern history (and perhaps the most camp nomination of the bunch). He spread Peking opera globally, even hanging out with Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks in 30s Hollywood.

And we ought to give an honorable mention to those Republican Era studs who didn’t quite make the list; shouts out to Lin Yutang, Wang Jingwei, Lu Xun, Xu Zhimo and Qian Zhongshu, maybe you will make the grade next year.

So, who do you think was the most handsome man of the Chinese Republic era? Do let us know…

Image courtesy of Guangming Online.