The Great Yunnan Famine of 1815 was a catastrophic event triggered by unprecedented cold weather following the Tambora eruption, leading to total crop failures across southwest China. This famine resulted in widespread starvation and suffering, profoundly impacting the population and society in Yunnan. The event highlighted the vulnerability of agricultural systems to climatic changes and the need for effective disaster response mechanisms.

The Great Yunnan Famine sparked a wave of realist poetry in China, focusing on the stark realities of poverty and suffering. Poets moved away from traditional imperial themes, embracing social commentary that highlighted the struggles of the marginalized and the human condition.