The embassy with Lev Izmailov as its head sent by Peter the Great to the Qing empire, occupies an important place in the history of Russian-Chinese relations at the time of Peter the Great. However, so far historians have not paid due attention to this diplomatic mission. The article examines the issue of difficulties stemming from the specific features of the traditional Chinese diplomatic etiquette the Russian envoy faced and how he had to overcome them. Since all countries and peoples in the world were presented to the emperor of Chin as "barbarians" and vassals, their envoys were always bound to perform ceremonies demonstrating submission to the Son of Heaven. The political culture of Qing China was based on the principles of the hierarchy in international relations, where China was unequivocally the geopolitical center of the world ("the Chinese world order"). Such views practically ruled out equality in relationships. Lev Izmailov had to take this into account and at the same time try to perform as few of such humiliating ceremonies as possible. A careful study of all the details of Izmailov mission’s visit to Beijing demonstrates what cultural and civilizational problems Russian diplomats faced in the Qing Empire, and how difficult it was to conduct diplomatic negotiations there.