Reinventing Chinese ancient cities

1. Introduction

Walking on the Song dynasty ground tiles of China Lane (寬窄巷子), western Sichuan dwellings and western-style buildings of different heights lie along the three alleys—Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley. 11 Kuan Alley is Kai Lu Tea House whose arching door head was made from grey bricks. In the middle of the door head is a plaque with engraving Chinese characters Kai Lu (愷廬). It is one of the most iconic door heads in China Lane for its combining western and Chinese style one hundred years ago. Tourists can enjoy Tianfu snow bud tea inside the tea house. The next door is a Sichuan style restaurant offering hot pot, Sichuan food and Sichuan opera face-changing performance. Across from the tea house is a souvenir center, selling Sichuan snacks like Huang Laowu peanut sweets and Sichuan-related cultural products such as postcards of China Lane painting and tealeaf tobacco. On one side of Jing Alley, there is a relief brick wall carved with patterns of Chengdu city’s evolution in history. At night, tourists can accommodate in a Sichuan-fashioned quadrangle inn appreciating the traditional local architecture.

Here is China Lane, an ancient pedestrian street in Chengdu which can be traced back to Qing dynasty. In 2019, it attracted 41.63 million visitors (Li, 2020). China Lane is a representative of the reinventions of Chinese ancient cities. This essay begins with the introduction of Chinese ancient cities in terms of the wall-moat defensive system, regional architectural fashions and ‘Lijiang mode’ trio-sustainability. Then follow the issues in Chinese ancient cities’ development like the demolition of old architectures and the non-authenticity due to over-commercialization. Finally the author gives suggestions of integration with latest technologies like augmented reality (AR) and innovations of the overall landscape and business model.

2. Chinese ancient cities: walls and multifunctional zones, regional architectural styles and ‘Lijiang mode’ trio-sustainability

In Chinese, city is called chengshi (城市). “Cheng (城)” means defensive walls surrounding the city. Since the Han dynasty, builders covered the rammed earth (夯土版築) with bricks to construct walls (Chu, 2018). On both sides of the top surface of walls, ancient Chinese added serrated parapets (宇墻) to prevent citizens from falling off (Chu, 2018). From the crenels (垛口) between parapets facing the outer city, defenders oversaw and shot enemies (Chu, 2018). To strengthen walls from the front, construction workers built square piers (馬面) at intervals externally (Chu, 2018). When enemies climb the walls, soldiers on square piers could launch arrows targeting at them from sides (Chu, 2018). On some square piers enemy towers (敵樓) can be found (Chu, 2018). Enemy towers are multifunctional like observation on enemies, military order transmission, weapon storage and shelter (Chu, 2018). However, citizens did not climb over walls to enter and exit the city. Instead, they went through scrolling gateways (券形門洞) (Chu, 2018). Above the gateways are gate towers (城樓) for signaling the location of gates and safeguarding (Chu, 2018). Gate towers normally have one to two floors (Chu, 2018). At first they were timber framework (Chu, 2018). Since the popularization of firearms in Ming dynasty, gate towers adopted timber-brick-stone structure to increase fire resistance performance (Chu, 2018). Meanwhile, if there are rivers nearby, citizens would dig a moat encircling the city and divert water from rivers into it. To control the volume of water in the moat, railing water gates (水門) were designed (Chu, 2018). Upward water gates are water gate towers responsible for shipping and defence (水關) (Chu, 2018). Throughout the cold weapon era in Chinese history (before Song dynasty 960AD), the high city walls and moats form a defensive system for citizens to protect themselves from invaders (Chu, 2018). For instance, the Palace Museum has a moat of fifty-two meters in width.

Additionally, “shi (市)” refers to the internal markets where people exchange goods. It highlights the economic function of Chinese ancient cities. In reality, after the construction of city walls, a Chinese ancient city is internally divided into multiple functional districts such as governmental institutions, commercial area, handicraft district and residential zone (Chu, 2018). In commercial area and handicraft district, most of the merchandises were local commodities while a small portion were foreign goods. For instance, in Tang dynasty, Chang’an was a hub of Asia where many European and Middle-eastern traders came. Hence, in the East and West market in Chang’an, there were not only local butchers but also Arabian jewelrylean and Persian hotels (Lilaixianshi, 2019). Due to the active trading in markets, some Chinese ancient cities rose like Pingyao (平遙) which had the earliest “Chinese Wall Street” for loans and Yangzhou (揚州) which was famous for silk and porcelain business.

Moreover, Chinese dwellings adapted to local geographical conditions like climate and materials. Thus, Chinese ancient cities reflect regional architectural uniqueness. For example, in the region of southern Yangtse River (江南), it often rains heavily in summer. Rich water resources create rivers and lakes weaving a water system net there. Hence, local people in Zhouzhuang (周莊) built their house on river banks. They also created Hui-style architecture (徽派建築) of white walls, grey-tile step-like ridges and delicate brick carvings. In another damp and hot city Chongqing, mountains and forests are everywhere while plains are rare. Hence, Yu people invented pile dwellings made from wood and bamboo in Hongya Caves (洪崖洞). In addition, pile dwellings’ back leans against mountain while other three dimensions are supported by pillars. By lifting the architecture from the ground, the indoor environment is dry and cool.

Since the end of the cultural revolution in 1977, the Chinese government started to protect and develop ancient cities as theme parks. Via tourism, ancient cities are promoted to audiences around the world. Visitors come and consume and thus create many jobs and revenues. Thus, the local economy grows and the government can gain more taxes. Then taxes can be feedbacked to improve local welfare. For example, Old Town of Lijiang (麗江) is a Naxi ethnic (納西族) town in Lijiang, Yunnan Province. It was awarded World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1997. Lijiang government established the Bureau of Protection and Management of the Old Town of Lijiang. The bureau officials shot promotion videos like Magical Land Beautiful Lijiang (神奇之境·大美麗江) and spread advertisement campaigns worldwide to attract tourists. To increase local employment, aboriginal Naxi people were encouraged to reform their home into souvenir shops like wooden wind bells with Dongba characters (東巴文字), Yunnan restaurants offering flower cakes and hotels like Naxi Family (納西人家). Apart from businesses, local arts grab visitors’ eyeballs as well. The center of the Old Town of Lijiang is Square Street (四方街) which is now a stage. There Naxi dancers invite visitors to dance to Naxi music together every day in three time slots (11:10am-11:40am, 2:10pm-2:40pm, 4:10-4:40pm). Besides, the historical architectures of the Old Town of Lijiang are revitalized as exhibition halls. For example, the Mu Fu Mansion (木府) was the local administration institution in Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Nowadays it is a museum showcasing the history of the Mu Family. Moreover, local festivals are good timing to appeal to tourists. For instance, every June 24-26 of the lunar calendar is Torchlight Festival (火把節) of Naxi people to commemorate their ancestors and gods. Visitors can also experience singing with natives around a bonfire. Meanwhile, every visitor is charged 50RMB as maintenance fee of the Old Town of Lijiang since January 1, 2019. Since 2003, the maintenance fee was spent on the repairment of 299 local dwellings, 236 traditional buildings and water system management. Hence, tourism incomes facilitate the local landscape, culture and ecosystem protection. At the same time, the improved architectures, cultures and environment of the Old Town of Lijiang make tourist experience better. Therefore, the ‘Lijiang mode’ of Chinese ancient city economy creates a positive trio-circle.

In a nutshell, Chinese ancient cities consist of a defensive system of walls and moats and various functional areas like residences and commercial district. Historically many Chinese ancient cities prospered for active local and foreign businesses. Meanwhile, Chinese ancient cities adopted local materials and their features reflect regional geography. Since cultural evolution came to an end in 1977, Chinese ancient cities were integrated with tourism for architectural, cultural and ecological sustainability. Among them, the Old Town of Lijiang’s development mode is worth learning.

3. Issues in the development of Chinese ancient cities: destruction and over-commercialization

The relics of Chinese ancient cities are witnesses of cities’ history. From them modern people can catch a glimpse of cultures, technologies, society, politics and economy of ancient times. Meanwhile, they are icons of modern cities. For example, when mentioning the Old Town of Lijiang, it is natural to associate it with Lijiang city. Moreover, until today they can still provide artists aesthetic, cultural and technical inspirations. For instance, designers made ice-cream whose shape looks like Xi’an ancient city walls (YoukoSu, 2020). Furthermore, they are tourist resources that can bring cultural and economic impacts like the Old Town of Lijiang. Appreciating Chinese ancient cities, Chinese strengthen a collective sense of belonging and cultural confidence.

However, some Chinese did not realize the manifold significance of Chinese ancient cities and destructed the relics. The most well-known incident was the demolition of the old city walls of Beijing. Beijing was the capital city of five dynasties in Chinese history (Liao 遼, Jin 金, Yuan 元, Ming 明, Qing 清). Successive emperors continued to build new city walls of Beijing, so Beijing’s city wall ruins were precious first-hand historical materials of these five dynasties’ studies. In the modern times of 1840-1949, many Chinese cities were destroyed by constant wars like Second Optimum War and World War II. Since the foundation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, they needed urgent reconstruction to boost the economy, including Beijing. Thus, Beijing vice mayor Wu Han (吳晗) insisted on taking apart the old city walls to save lands for new buildings and factories. Even though Chinese traditional architects Liang Sicheng (梁思成) and Lin Huiyin (林徽因) proposed to plan the new urban outside the old city, they failed to persuade him. One advocator of the demolition, Chinese archeologist Guo Moruo (郭沫若) found that each brick of city walls having archeological values. He regretted the destruction and said the loss could be 100 billion RMB. Although the latter Beijing government tried to rebuild the city walls with concrete and lime, they were just fakes without historical values. The irreversible demolition of Beijing city walls marked notoriously in Chinese architectural history.

Meanwhile, some Chinese ancient cities are over-commercialized and lose cultural authenticity. For instance, the Lijiang government allows the neighborhood of the old Town of Lijiang to construct glass-steel modern buildings, which looks abrupt to the relics. Meanwhile, western pub streets were introduced into it, which damages the Naxi cultural landscape. Moreover, with tourism burgeoning, the rental of shops in it increases. Hence, life facilities like stationary shops and green groceries were driven out while only tourism-oriented stores operated by non-locals remain. So far only 10% of aboriginals live in the Old Town of Lijiang. What’s worse, non-locals sell nationwide-united souvenirs without Naxi features. So, the Old Town of Lijiang developed homogeneously while its cultural authenticity fades out. Hence, fewer and fewer tourists come. Thus, total maintenance fee decreases and the trio-sustainability is affected.

In summary, the demolition of relics and over-commercialization decrease the heterogeneity and authenticity of Chinese ancient cities. Concurrently, historical, cultural, aesthetic and archeological values of Chinese ancient cities decrease.

4. Reinvent Chinese ancient cities

In order to make up the disappeared Chinese ancient cities, AR can be integrated with the relics. AR is a technology combing multimedia, three-dimension models and human-environment interactions. Users can simply use their smartphones to scan an object processed with AR, and then all the related information can be viewed on the phone screen. By clicking the buttons of some extensions and plug-ins, users can play with AR. For instance, designers can make three-dimension models of the Beijing old city walls and link them with the current buildings on their original locations. When users scan the relics of the Yuan dynasty city walls, they can see the high-profiled integrate city walls with gate towers above. Meanwhile, users can see the old pictures and videos of the complete Yuan dynasty city walls before 1949 and the demolition in the 1950s. Via the chronological multimedia presentations, users can have a comprehensive insight of the Beijing city wall history. They can also zoom in any time spot of the span of the Beijing city walls and amplify the picture to view the details more clearly. Additionally, users can play a question-and-answer game of Beijing city walls, so they can have fun learning the knowledge in the meantime.

As for cultural authenticity, Chinese ancient cities should adopt more design innovations in landscape and business model. For instance, the Lijiang government can censor the architectural plans of the community of the old town and only permit those of Naxi architectural styles. The western pub street can be transformed into Naxi alcohol clusters offering creative peripheral products like ice-cream/milk tea/coffee of Naxi Ke wine (客酒) flavor. With rental control by the Lijiang government, artists can be recruited to produce differentiable Naxi creative products. Also, aboriginal Naxi people and life facilities like butchers’ can return and offer tourists homestay to experience living as Naxi ethnicity. Tourists can go with hosts to buy local pork and cook Naxi bacon on fire pit (火塘). In this way, Chinese ancient cities can keep their cultural uniqueness and trio-sustainability.

5. Conclusion

Chinese ancient cities comprise of a defensive system of city walls and moats and multiple functional areas of commerce and dwellings. They utilize local materials and are adapted to the native climate and terrains, which results in architectural diversity. They are also tourist resources and ‘Lijiang mode’ sustains cultures, architectures and environments by maintenance fee and tourist profits. However, some Chinese ancient cities were demolished or over-commercialized and lose cultural authenticity. The loss of historical and archeological values cannot be recovered. To tackle these issues, AR can integrate artificial three-dimension models of Chinese ancient city ruins with their old photos, videos and games. In this approach, users can interact with the relics and have a comprehensive view of their history. Meanwhile, stricter censorship on the community landscape, local cultural innovations with artists and homestay with aboriginals assist in reserving cultural authenticity and trio-sustainability. Hope that Chinese ancient cities can be reinvented successfully to be a worldwide model.

References

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Li, Y. (April 23, 2020). Hongyadong cooperates with China Lane, Chengdu and Chongqing ‘internet celebrities’ promote Bashu culture together. (Hongyadong “qianshou” kuanzhai xiangzi, chengyu “wanghong” gongtui bashu wenhua). Xinhua net. Retrieved from http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/www.cq.xinhuanet.com/2020-04/23/c_1125894687.htm

Lilaixianshi. (July 12, 2019). Via The Longest Day in Chang’an see East market and West market in Chang’an city in Tang dynasty. (Tongguo Chang’an shier shichen kan tangdai Chang’ancheng dongxi ershi). Tencent. Retrieved from https://new.qq.com/omn/20190712/20190712A0GOS300.html

YoukoSu. (May 18, 2020). Xi’an ancient city wall tourist spot promotes cultural creative ice-cream: Yulin military, ancient ladies of Tang dynasty, Yongning Gate attract tourists to snapshot. (Xi’an chengqiang jingqu tui wenchuang bingjiing: yulinjun tangshinv yongningmen xiyin youke daka paizhao). Baijiahao. Retrieved from https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1667042736451235766&wfr=spider&for=pc