Preservation and redevelopment in Beijing

Abstract

The following is a good example of the integration of planning, design and management for simultaneous piecemeal preservation and redevelopment. The Shishahai area lies to the north of the Forbidden City and the Beihai Park, within the line of the old city wall. It is designated in Beijing’s master plan as a green space. Near its north-west corner is the Arrow Gate (Deshengmen) and at its north-east corner are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower as the northern limit of the central axis of the Old City. Di’anmen Street defines the southern boundary of the site. This 146 ha area includes 34 ha of water: Shisha Qianhai (Front Sea), Houhai (Rear Sea) and Xihai (West Sea). During the Yuan Dynasty (12711368), this area was known as Jishuitan, and was connected to the Grand Canal that ran from Beijing to Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. At that time, navigation was so busy that nearly all the water surface was covered with vessels. The northeast bank of the Lake Jishuitan became the main commercial centre of Dadu City (Predecessor of Beijing City). During the Ming and Qing Dynasties (136% 1911): navigation was stopped. With its broad water surface and attractive natural scenery Shishahai became a historical cultural scenic focus of Beijing Old City. There were many temples, royal residences, and private gardens spread over the whole area. Among the remaining temples are Guanghua Temple, Sanguan Temple, Gao Temple, Jingye Temple, Fire God Temple, Sea Tide Nunnery, and among the remaining royal residences are Gongwangfu (Mansion of Prince Gong), Chunwangfu (Mansion of Prince Chun), Qingwangfu (Mansion of Prince Qing) and Taobeileifu (Mansion of Lord Tao). This area became the busy commercial centre of northern Beijing. The distinguished streets in this area are Di’anmenwai Street, which is part of the northern central axis, Yandai (Tobacco Pouch) Slant Street on the north-east bank of the Front Sea, and White Rice Slant Street on the south side of Front Sea. Within this area, there are several well-known restaurants. Formerly, to the west of the Front Sea, there was a lotus pond surrounded by an embankment with many snack food stands. Lotus flowers spread their fragrance and willow trees provided shade. The people of Beijing in the past came to enjoy fresh lotus seeds, water caltrop and cups of iced jelly while watching entertainers such as acrobats and story tellers. The high season of this “Lotus Market” was from the Dragon Boat Festival in the early summer to the Mid-Autumn Festival. Officers of the Royal House Camp and their guards in brocade garments used to present a colourful spectacle when they came on the 6th day of the 6th month (lunar calendar) to bathe the Emperor’s horses. On the 15th day of the 7th month (lunar calendar), the Orchid Party was held as a grand occasion, with lanters of lotus pattern floating all over the lake which vied with the shining stars and the round moon for radiance. In winter days, the lake is frozen and all kinds of skating sports were held, so the local folk activities at Shishahai continued all the year round, making this place the richest in folk