Capital Cities and Province
The space layout of the ancient Chinese cities was in the form of the grid system.
The philosophic foundation behind the concept of "square-shaped cities" in ancient China was determined by ancient philosophies such as the concept of "round heaven and square earth", as well as the philosophy of Yin-Yang, along with the principle of the five elements of water, fire, earth, wood and metal. The theme of duality featured in the above philosophies led to an emphasis on locating the central axis and thus symmetry, in the basic layout of the cities. As such, many cities and the buildings within also bore names and had locations which strongly reflected their symbolic meaning.
Geomancy (Fengshui) is philosophy with origins in the traditions of ancient Chinese culture, which held great respect for man?s natural environment. Hence, these philosophies had a significant impact on the choice of locations for the ancient cities as well as their layout. Apart from looking at the surroundings of the cities and the topography of the locations, these philosophies also emphasized the planning of the architecture and infrastructure within the walls of the cities.
The Architecture of Ancient Capital Cities
Throughout the various dynasties in ancient Chinese history, the emperors of newly established dynasties had always emphasized the importance of choice locations for their capital cities, often sending their most trusted officials to conduct detailed topographical and hydrological surveys, and supervise the actual construction of selected sites. The main criteria for the choice of location would be the strategic political and military needs. The second criteria would be availability of water sources for drinking, farming, and gardening, as well as waterways for transportation of grain and other goods for the capital cities.
During the Zhou Dynasty (11thBC-221BC) of China, the Zhou emperor feoffed titles and land upon his royal clansman and meritorious officials to establish fiefs in different areas, so many cities of dukedoms were built in various areas throughout the empire. This laid the foundation for ancient Chinese cities to be created according to a basic format ? the front half of the city was designated as work and business areas while the latter half was reserved for housing and leisure activities.
In ancient China even modern China, the Chinese advocated the practice of "taking the middle of central path and balance". Hence, that became the criteria of layout and construct for ancient Chinese capital city. The capital city of Zhou dynasty Haojing ( in Xi?an of Shaanxi province today) had a city wall, had three sets of city gates in each side while the imperial palaces was located right in the centre. It became a model for the planning and construction of ancient Chinese capital city.
From the Warring States Period (770BC-476BC) right up to Ming and Qing Dynasties, the capital cities always had palace wall, inner city wall and outer city wall. Imperial palaces laid inside the palace wall, imperial cities laid inside inner city wall, while the outer city wall were for protecting the civilians. The workshops, markets and houses for civilians were located between the inner city wall and outer city wall.
The typical capital cities of ancient China were the most magnificent Chang'an City (Xi'an today) of Sui and Tang Dynasties as well as Beijing City of Ming and Qing Dynasties which was the symbol of supreme imperial power.
The Architecture of Ancient Provincial Cities
Provincial cities had always served as geographically dispersed centers of political and military control for the central government throughout the dynasties. Some of them were often local centers of commercial activities and culture. Some of them were traffic hubs, handicraft industries and trading ports, or were even a combination of all these positive traits. Factors such as weather conditions, topography, traffic and defense capabilities had led to differences in the layout and architecture of various cities.
Most of terrain is flat in northern China, and quadrangle or courtyard dwellings were popular in northern China, too. As such, the northern cities were mostly square or rectangle in shape, and had wide and straight roads. The architecture and infrastructure of these cities were also arranged in a cross or T-shaped layout, with the drum tower and bell tower located in the center of the cities. The government offices were located northern or within the vicinity of the drum tower and bell tower. Examples of ancient cities with these characteristics include the Xi'an city and the Pingyao city.
In contrast, the layout of cities located in mountainous regions with many rivers, was more flexible due to the complex topography. The network of roads in such cities usually followed the contours of the undulating land, and was created more out of necessity than actual planning. Cities built along the rivers were often ribbon shaped, like Lanzhou was built along the Yellow river. Cities built on the mountain slopes, would have main roads which extended naturally along the contours of the mountains, like the famous mountain city, ChongQin.
In the valley of the lower reaches of Yangtse River, there are many rivers and lakes, streets and buildings were built along both sides of the river banks, where the waterways were the people?s main channel of transportation. The small towns built along the river banks often acquired a ribbon shape; the large towns developed a cross-shaped layout, or a mine-grid pattern that intersected the rivers. Suzhou was a classic example of the city of curvy streets, bridged rivers and plaster walls with black-colored tiles.
Some cities were even laid out in circular shapes for strategic defense purposes, to fight floods or to achieve certain symbolic meanings.
You buy your China tours from our company, we donate to children's villages in your name.
