5.1.2 The Characteristics of Jinan Architectural H...
5.1.2.1 Unique Waterfront Space Layout
Figure 5-6.Moat in Ancient Town of Jinan
The water landscapes in Jinan shape the ancient city with unique spatial characteristics (Fig.5-5,5-6).The spatial pattern of the water system is composed of several spring groups, a moat and a lake.The moat of the ancient town area connects four spring-groups, and finally runs into Daming Lake located in the north of the city.The lake covers 46.5 hectares, accounting for nearly one-third of the ancient city area[7].This water system pattern determines the spatial layout of the streets and buildings of the ancient town: the waterfront space around the Daming Lake and the Baihuazhou lake, the riverside space with the moat, forming the main line of the spatial organization.Many water spaces centered around the small springs.Strolling through the ancient city, the scenery is all related to the water culture of the region.
Figure 5-7.Street Pattern of Ancient Town of Jinan
5.1.2.2 Well-ordered Ancient Streets
There are many well-ordered ancient streets and alleys in the city.The main streets are the intersection of the east-west Tongyu Ximen Street (now called Quancheng Road), the north-south Shunjing Street and the Xianxi alley, which naturally divide the ancient city to several areas (Fig.5-7).The official streets are majestic and solemn, and the public alleys follow the water systems, twisting and turning through the residential areas.Due to the rich ground spring water resource of the ancient city, the streets and alleys are all made of anti-slip stone slates.Famous historical streets include General Temple Street, Furong Street, Kuanhousou Street, Sili Alley.(Fig.5-8)
Figure 5-8.Sili Water Alley
5.1.2.3 A Variety of Historical Building Types
As the capital of Shandong Province, Jinan is a political, cultural, economic, and military center.Therefore, there are many types of historic buildings remaining (Fig.5-9).The official building is located North of the main street, dominating the ancient town.The streets and alleys nearby are full of old shops.Temples, Culture and Education buildings, Theaters are mostly located on the shore of Daming Lake.The Northwest of the ancient town is a handicraft area.The Northeast is the common residential buildings along Daming Lake.Some temples and official buildings located on the Southwest highland, and the Southeast is the residential area of the official residents, the commercial halls.The official buildings are majestic with a high-level building type, while the residential buildings are traditional Sihe Courtyards.But this type of courtyard is not regular like Beijing Sihe Courtyards due to the flexible water systems in the area (Fig.5-10).The building structure of Jinan ancient area is mostly the wooden Tailiang beam-type.Gray brick-walls with gray stone base, the rooves of gray tile, combine with brick, wood carvings and other decorative components form a unique Jinan traditional architectural art.[8](Fig.5-11,5-12,5-13)(https://www.daowen.com)
Figure 5-9.A Variety of Historical Building Types in Ancient Town of Jinan
Figure 5-10.Elevation of Yuan’s Residence in Gaodusi Alley
Figure 5-11.The Detail of The Residential Roof
5.1.2.4 A Unique Intangible Cultural Heritage
Figure 5-12.The Detail of the Residential Wall
The ancient town of Jinan has a long history of humanity.Folk customs and historical allusions include festivals, folk crafts, living customs and entertainment activities around the water landscapes of Black Tiger Spring, Baotu Spring, Wangfu Pond, Pearl Spring, Baihuazhou, Daming Lake and Wulongtan are unique due to the spring culture.Historic poems and books described the fact that many personalities in history have studied, worked, and traveled in Jinan.Poets, writers, and politicians such as Qin Qiong, Xin Qiji, Li Qingzhao, Li Bai, Du Fu, Zeng Gong and Lao She have left countless historical allusions here.In the past, the annual “qu shui liu shang”[9]was held in Qushui Pavilion, which is a good place for literati to create literature and art.Today, Baotu Spring is a popular place for the people to celebrate the New Year due to the annual Lantern Festival happened there.Local people also have the custom of putting a lotus lantern on Daming Lake to commemorate and bless the relatives.There are tea houses, opera gardens, theaters and storytelling halls in Wangfuchizi spring and Daminghu area.Among them, Shandong Kuaishuo, Lihuan drum, opera and other literary forms are unique and famous throughout the country.[10]The traditional food system of the ancient town, The Old Jinan Cuisine, is an important part of the Lu Cuisine of Shandong Province.All these local customs are the unique ways for a person to taste the traditional culture of old Jinan, which requires protection of historic sites to retain.
Figure 5-13.The Detail of the Residential Entrance