Page 108 - JCAU-6-4

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Cultural exposition of architectural heritage

6.1.1. City walls and orientation government office aligns with the hierarchical ritual

Pingyao historical city adheres to ceremonial regulations order and reflects the feudal ruling discourse of imperial
in its formation, as observed in the architecture of its power. Daoist structures are situated on the eastern side
walls and the positioning of the city and its buildings. of the city, while Buddhist structures are located on the
The tortoise-like curvature of the palace walls and the western side, in accordance with cultural and religious
southern wall embracing the Zhongdu River have led to beliefs.
Pingyao being aptly called the “Turtle City.” The tortoise- 6.1.5. Street layout and urban planning
like patterns of the streets within the city walls are also
quite conspicuous. While the northern, eastern, and The planning and arrangement of roads in Pingyao
western walls of Pingyao historical city are straight due to historical city is one of the finest examples of Chinese pre-
the relatively flat geographical terrain, the southern part industrial city street structures. It gives the impression
of the city incorporates natural geographical features by of a well-planned city, with a chessboard-like pattern of
following the curves of the surrounding mountains and the four main streets, eight small streets, and 72 narrow lanes.
river that flows through the city. Derived from the well-field system of the Western Zhou
period (1046 – 771 BCE), this layout provides for the
6.1.2. City gates and symbolism orderly development of land and smooth traffic flow on
Compared to other historical cities, the arrangement of the the streets.
city gates in Pingyao is very distinct. There are six gates in South Street remains the primary commercial street,
total: one located on each of the northern and southern featuring over a hundred stores and other business
walls, and two on both the eastern and western walls. This establishments. The arrangement of these commercial
configuration symbolizes the head, tail, and four limbs of a streets creates shapes resembling Chinese characters, such
turtle, while two wells outside the south gate resemble the as “土” (Tu), which means soil or earth. This represents
turtle’s eyes. The design heavily incorporates the symbolism the ancient Chinese idea of directional order and the Five
of turtles, which play an important role in Chinese Elements theory of Feng Shui.
mythology and Feng Shui, representing protection, power, The tangible aspects of Pingyao historical city’s
longevity, and good luck. architecture reveal the principle of historical Chinese

6.1.3. Celestial principles and ritual norms city planning, ceremonial order, and symbolism. The
walls, gates, spatial arrangement, and streets are not only
As in many other historical Chinese cities, the planning pragmatic but also carry cultural and historical significance
of Pingyao incorporates celestial elements from the in terms of geography, culture, and ritual regulations.
perspectives of heaven, earth, and humanity. Pingyao This rich architectural heritage continues to testify to the
historical city is designed in a square structure facing south, historical and cultural heritage of Pingyao.
in accordance with the principles outlined in the Zhou Li
and Kaogong Ji. The city is built with a ritual orientation, 6.2. Social dimension
and its central axis is slightly deflected eastward by about Fulfilling a social purpose through architectural
15° to optimize sunlight conditions. While different parts heritage is a critical aspect of demonstrating the historical,
of the city have undergone renovations and expansions cultural, and social values of a community. This dimension
over the last 2800 years, the outer shape and orientation is especially relevant to Pingyao historical city, as it captures
have remained consistent due to ancient regulations. the interactions between architecture and society.

6.1.4. Architectural composition and spatial layout 6.2.1. Reflection of social development
Pingyao historical city is characterized by axial symmetry Buildings are a reflection of social progress, showcasing
and strict spatial order in its architecture, reflecting the the architectural decorations and the spirit of social
grandeur of imperial authority. The main north–south evolution emphasized at different times in Pingyao
axis serves as the guiding principle for the overall layout of historical city. The engineering not only displays the
the city’s buildings. This layout is based on the traditional esthetics and construction techniques of traditional
Chinese idea of the “unity of heaven and humans,” which Chinese architecture but also reflects the economic,
integrates the earth, buildings, and the sky. cultural, political, and social aspects of various historical
The spatial organization also reflects the influence of periods. In this way, the preserved physical structures
Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. For example, offer insights into the social realities and cultural norms
the positioning of the City God Temple above the county of ancient times.

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4189