Chapter 2
The Yangtze River Impacts and Early
Nanjing Geography
2.1
Cultural Landscape Change Along Yangtze River
in Ancient Times
The Yangtze River flows from west to east geographically. Throughout history this
mighty river, divides the territory of China into two parts, with the North and South
both taking the Yangtze River as their boundary.
Changes of the Yangtze River influenced the migration of towns, villages and
settlements, and the rise and fall of culture along the Yangtze River.
Yangtze River nurtured civilization along both its sides, but served as a
demarcation line between civilizations. Ancient cultural differences along the north
and south of the Yangtze River were greater than differences along the north and
south sides of the Yellow River [1]. By the time that civilization on the Yellow
River had reached a very high level, the Yangtze River Basin was still a wild land
[2]. The Xia (2100 BC–1600 BC), Shang (1900 BC–1029 BC), and Zhou (1029
BC–771 BC) Dynasties, from which the Chinese civilization originated, the rise of
the Spring and Autumn Period, and Warring States Period, the development of the
Qin and Han, Wei, Jin, Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties, all took place along the
Yellow Rivers’ bank.
Neolithic agricultural civilization along the Yellow River was based upon corn,
while along the Yangtze River it was based upon rice. The lands to the north of the
Yangtze River are relatively cold and there are many imposing mountains and hills,
and further north there are expansive grasslands and deserts. The urban architectural
landscape is magnificent, and the people in the north are rough and steadfast.
Throughout history, many fighting heroes began their journey in the north.
Comparatively, the south of the Yangtze River is relatively warm and rainy,
characterized by its many knolls and moors, with rivers and lakes intersecting, and
flowers blossoming. The elegant, skillful urban architectural landscape, and delicate, quiet culture has nurtured many poets, artists and scholars throughout history
(Fig. 2.1).
© Springer Science+Business Media Singapore 2016
Y. Yao, Nanjing: Historical Landscape and Its Planning
from Geographical Perspective, Springer Geography,
DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-1637-0_2
15
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2 The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography
Fig. 2.1 Seven capitals in Chinese history
During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties (220–589 AD), wars were
frequent in Yellow River Basin [3]. A large number of the Hans people migrated to
the south bank of Yangtze River forming a Han political, economic and cultural
center in Jiankang (Nanjing in Eastern Jin Dynasty and Southern Dynasty). Along
the Yangtze River and its tributaries there were many cities of many different sizes,
becoming China’s east–west axis of urban economy. The vegetation was plentiful
on the south of the Yangtze River. Cultural landscape featured by low bridge and
stream running, and the natural landscape characterized by soft wind and mild
drizzle nurtured literati garden landscape forming harmonious and warm gardens,
especially with the use of waterscape. In the history of world civilization, Chinese
literati gardens with natural landscape aesthetics appeared in the lower reaches of
the Yangtze River in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties.
2.2
Changes in Nanjing Section of the Yangtze River
and Impacts
The Yangtze River, flowing from west to east, originates in the Qinghai-Tibet
Plateau with the upper reaches flowing through the valleys and hills. During historical periods, the plane swing of riverbed was very small. The lower reaches of
2.2 Changes in Nanjing Section of the Yangtze River and Impacts
17
the Yangtze River, located in the vast plains witnessed frequent and complicated
changes in Yangtze River water system in historical periods.
The south banks’ lower reaches of the Yangtze River region are characterized by
steep cliffs, such as the famous Chenglin cliff, Caishi cliff, and Yanzi cliff; while on
the North Shore, there are wider accumulation terraces and floodplains. Changes in
river courses are related to the transfer of sedimentation center in coastal areas
during times of crustal movement, and the ebb and flow influenced by shore currents along the coast.
Nanjing is located in the composite site of valley alluvial plains and low
mountains and hills in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Triassic and earlier
strata were shallow sea strata, some of which were the land and interconnected by
sea and land. Since Jurassic era, these lands are all terrestrial.
5000–6000 years ago, the sea level of East China Sea was 2–4 m higher than
that of modern times. The lower reaches of the Yangtze River were hot and rainy,
with lush forests and was vast and open. Much of Eastern Jiangsu Province,
Shanghai and other regions in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River were under
seawater. The estuary was in Zhenjiang, located 50 km east of Nanjing, forming
Nanjing bay, and surrounded by swamps.
3000–4000 years ago, equivalent to the period from Yao’s ruling to Xia
Dynasty, the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and North China Plain
(NCP) suffered from floods, which resulted from the north movement of southwest
monsoon peak, rather than flow disintegration in the north [4]. High temperature,
rainfall, and rising sea level caused floods in low-lying coastal farmlands. People
were trouble by floods for a period of 200 years, during which many legends about
the ancient floods appeared. King Teng (Part One), Mencius describes that “During
the ruling of Yao, the society was not in peace. Floods were serious, weeds and
trees were flourishing, beasts were breeding and crops were not mature.”
Biographic Sketch of Emperor Xia, Records of the Grand Historian describes that:
“Yao the Great tried to use whales to tame the floods but his efforts were in vain.”
“When Yu the Great tamed the water, he did not go back home for thirteen years
though passing his house.” “During Yu’s ruling, when it rained heavily, Yu would
order his people to collect materials to build dams and then migrate to hilly areas.”
It is recorded in the Biographic Sketch of Five Emperor that during Emperor Yao’s
61st year there were “huge floods”.
3000 years ago, the Yangtze River estuary was shaped as a horn, with a width of
180 km. The silt accumulated at the funnel bay caused the southeast stretch of
mouth of the Yangtze River Delta. In the past century, sandbanks appeared in large
numbers and they merged and drew alongside, causing the vast river to gradually
narrow.
According to the historical statistics covered in Table of Natural Calamities and
Man-made Misfortunes in Past Dynasties in China [5], from the first year (221 BC)
of ruling of Qin Shi Huang (259 BC–210 BC), the first emperor of Qin Dynasty, to
the mid-Tang Dynasty (982 AD), the Yangtze River basin suffered from floods 201
times in 1200 years, most of which took place in the lower reaches of the Yangtze
River, with 51 records of drought in the same period (Table 2.1).
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2 The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography
Table 2.1 Records of serious flood disasters in the Nanjing and Downstream regions for two
thousand years [5]
Year
Records of disasters
444
499
816
832
1170
Floods and rained for days
Floods and many people died
Thousands of hectares of farmlands were destroyed
Floods and raised 220,000 dan (a unit of dry measure for grain) grain
Floods, the water was several zhang (a unit of length = 3 1/3 m), Deep in the east of
the city the residential houses were floating, grains were flooded, the banks were
broken and the population was migrating
Over 82,000 families lost their homes and the grains rotted
17,200 ha of farmlands were destroyed
319,000 ha of farmlands were flooded and over 400,000 people lost their homes
Rained and the Yangtze River rose to four to five zhang, flooding the residences, and
over 34,500 families suffered
Floods, 49,300 ha of farmland was destroyed
Floods, 436,200 ha of farmland was destroyed and 450,500 families suffered
13,500 hectares of farmland was flooded
Floods, many people and animals drowned
It rained for several months. Houses were floating and many people and animals died.
People starved to death
Rivers and lakes were overflowing. The depth of water on the ground was more than
one zhang. The damage caused by the hurricane was over one hundred miles in radius.
Everywhere became a lake
Floods and tens of thousands drowned
The depth of water on the ground was more than one zhang. Houses were flooded and
many people and animals died
Continuous rains for seven days. Many people drowned to death
1181
1286
1290
1302
1323
1330
1330
1439
1518
1589
1591
1690
1865
According to the table, the interval ranges from 150 to 200 years during the
flood peak in history of the Yangtze River.
Nanjing is surrounded by Ningzhen mountain ranges, including Purple
Mountain, Mufu Mountain, and Qixia Mountain and its topography is influenced by
new tectonic movement. In prehistory, frequent floods in the Yangtze River basin
created interweaving rivers tributaries in Nanjing. The erosion of the Yangtze River
and its tributary, Qinhuai River, created the Qinhuai River alluvial plain and small
basin, where the ancient city, Nanjing, originated and evolved.
In the Pre-Qin era, the Yangtze River was vast, wild, and choppy. The width
between the two sides at the widest site was up to 15 km [6]. According to records,
when the Royal Road was constructed when Qin ( 221 BC) conquered six states
and reunited the country, there was a port in Qixia Mountain (now is a northern
suburb of Nanjing) linking the Royal Road.
Before the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC–23 AD) the main water flow was
directed towards the north. In the Western Han Dynasty, the Yangtze River moved
2.2 Changes in Nanjing Section of the Yangtze River and Impacts
19
to the south [7]. Larges areas of beaches and alluvial plains formed in lower
beaches of Zhenjiang. More and more sandbanks formed and drew alongside, and
the river narrow gradually shrank, the general trend of which was from the
southwest to the northeast.
During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties (210–589 AD), a series of
military forts and watchtowers were set up along the Yangtze River. The Stone
City, with prominent military strategic importance, was built in mountainous areas
where Qinhuai River enters the estuary of Yangtze River. The traces of erosion by
the Yangtze River on the western cliff are to this day still visible. According to
historical records, the Stone City was once flooded. There are records that the
ancient city collapsed 100 km downstream of the Yangtze River due to floods. It
was recorded the Caizhou Island in the heart of the river. New Account of Old
Episodes [7] records that in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, there were people running
away from wars and then would meet at the pavilion along the river discussing
about the homeland in the north. Most of them when overlooking the Yangtze
River, would weep.
From 618 AD to 907 AD in the Tang Dynasty, the estuary of the Yangtze River
extended eastward straight towards Taizhou [6]. The Nanjing section of the
Yangtze River moved north. Along the south bank, there was a large area of
sandbanks and shallows. In late Tang Dynasty, under the Stone City were beaches
and ponds left by the Yangtze River, which was no longer the natural barrier.
Dasheng Barry has become the land in Tang Dynasty and the poet Li Bai (970–762
AD) when visiting Nanjing depicted “The three-peak’d mountain is half lost in
azure sky; The two-fork’d stream by Egret Isle is kept apart.” The poem describes
the rolling hills around the city and the island which are piled into the Yangtze
River.
In the late Song Dynasty, the Yangtze River moved northwards, and more
sandbanks merged with the river course of the south bank. The two banks to the
north of the Yangtze River changed dramatically and formed a wild flanking plain.
It was recorded that Song Dynasty established patrol station and watchtower in
today’s Dasheng Barry; the North Jin Dynasty (1115–1234 AD) crossed the
Yangtze River and invaded the South, they were annihilated in the Great Yellow
Wetland, northeast of today’s city of Nanjing.
In the Yuan Dynasty, Bailuzhou (Egret Isle) was drawn to the shore and formed
land. Modern natural archaeology has shown that grooves along the bank are
remnants of the Yangtze River Branch.
Chongming Island of Shanghai was formed at the estuary of the Yangtze River
to The East China Sea in Ming Dynasty. Huangyaozhen, a town often found in
records from Song Dynasty to Ming Dynasty, was flooded in the Yangtze River. In
Ming Dynasty, Nanjing established a wharf to tax, as well as to build a shipyard
along the river. In 1405 AD, a royal fleet of ships launched into the Yangtze river
for the ocean.
In the middle of the nineteenth century after the Opium War (1840 AD), the
Western powers gradually entered Shanghai and established colonies. Industrial
products from the West were dumped into Southeast China along the Yangtze
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2 The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography
Fig. 2.2 The landscape of Yangtze River of the 1920s
Fig. 2.3 The landscape of Yangtze River of the 2010s
River. The British gradually built commercial docks in Zhenjiang, Nanjing, Wuhan,
Chongqing, and other coastal cities.
In late eighteenth century, the sand from Haimen was drawn to the North shore
and the mainstream of the Yangtze River reversed to the south. Levees along the
Yangtze River were constructed and industries appeared in seaside areas.
Currently, around 95 km of the Yangtze River are within the territory of
Nanjing. The widest part of the river is 3 km and water depths ranges from 15–
30 m, a maximum depth being about 50 meters. The Jiangxinzhou is on the
upstream riverbank, covering an area of 15 km2; the Baguazhou is downstream
with an area of 50 km2 (Figs. 2.2 and 2.3).
2.3
The Yangtze River Impact on the Establishment
of Capitals
In Chinese history, the Yangtze River is a great, wide, and lengthy river, it is the
imperative geographic division line between Northern and Southern China and it
also contributes to the living quality difference between Northern and Southern
China. The cityscape features on the north and south of the Yangtze River are
widely different, and it also affected the human atmosphere and cultural spirit of the
many dynasties. There were five ancient capital cities which were established to the
north of Yangtze River, all of the dynasties in these ancient capitals unified the
2.3 The Yangtze River Impact on the Establishment of Capitals
21
whole country and had a stronger power [2]; there were two ancient capital cities
established to the south of Yangtze River, whereas both of the dynasties which
served in these ancient capitals were weaker and under a separated state.
Zhu Qie (1911–1968 AD) commented [8]: among the ancient capitals of
Chang’an (now is Xi’an), Luoyang, Jinling (now is Nanjing) and Beijing, Nanjing
is the finest along many aspects: literature, prosperity, handsome people, mountain
scenery, and grand atmosphere; it has developed close association with Chinese
national misfortune when China was thrown into upheaval.
In its extensive history, the Yangtze River is the vital geographic factor to the
formation of Nanjing City. The initial origin of Nanjing City firstly comes from
important influence of Yangtze River, which flows through the west and north of
Nanjing City. In ancient times, the Yangtze River was the barrier for cultural
exchange between the North and South, it was also the natural moat for defending
against the north nationalities’ invasion, and also the western–northern boundary in
city development. In modern times, the Yangtze River is the important landscape
boundary through the city, the important cityscape site and tourist destination, as
well as the symbol of geography, history and culture.
In the Prehistoric Era, the Yangtze River was broad, and very often flooded.
Nanjing area was densely covered by heavy forest, spears of barbed wild grass
flourished abundantly, and lakes and rivers intersected. According to the archaeological findings in the recent 30 years, there are more than 200 original villages of
Neolithic Period in the land of the Qinhuai River, Jinchuan River and Xuanwu Lake
[4]. Hushu Town, located at the middle reach of Qinghuai River, is a typical place
where a lot of Neoteric villages of original traces are gathered. The archaeological
community names such as the “Hushu Culture”. Due to frequent flooding in the
Yangtze River, the areas along the bank were not suitable for original inhabitants to
survive, only the branches could be appropriate for people to settle down.
During the spring and autumn of the Warring States Period, the Nanjing area
was the border between State Wu and State Chu. The Kings usually constructed
military fortresses by making full use of the mountains and waterways in this area.
During the Three Kingdoms Period, the Kingdom Wu constructed its capital in
Nanjing, built up the walls along the mountain, and set up military strongholds in
strategic places along the mountains outside of the city. The Kingdom Wu started to
develop Nanjing city among the mountains, rivers and lakes. In the following
historic periods of the South Dynasty, South Tang Dynasty, and Ming Dynasty, the
continuous mountains around Nanjing City are gradually included into the city and
they have since become the commanding height of Nanjing.
The continuous mountain ranges initially acted as the natural defense shield for
military, and then became the artistic landscape chanted by scholar-poets. During
the Six Dynasties Period, the brief outline of tall and graceful Zhong Mountain was
the aesthetic symbol of beautiful landscape, and the historic rudiment of the Stone
City (Nanjing) was the history emblem of the origin of the city.
Nanjing became an important city during the origin and formation process of the
capital, with the Yangtze River being the first driving element. The ancient Yangtze
River was a cultural exchange barrier between Nanjing and the North, and also
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2 The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography
served as a moat to defend against the invasion from the North. The Yangtze River
has also been the crucial geographical factor for much of Nanjing’s urban construction. It has directly influenced the judgment of political leaders and military
directors in the process of political and military affairs.
Five cities are located to the north of the Yangtze River: Beijing, Xi’an,
Luoyang, Kaifeng, and Anyang. In Chinese history, strong and unified national
capitals were located to the north. With Xi’an as the capital during the period of the
Han Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty, a strong and powerful country was able to
continue for nearly 800 years [2]. Two major cities are located to the south of the
Yangtze River Basin: Nanjing and Hangzhou, most situations of these two cities
acting as the capital tell tales of short dynasties and separated states.
When Nanjing began serving as the ancient capital, it was a crucial turning point
in the history of China’s development. In particular, the changes of the state of the
political situation and the historical conversion, such as Northern invasions, the
national unrest or the Royal South escape, perfectly exhibit the most unique features
of the ancient capital of Nanjing.
As the Yangtze River was a natural moat, six dynasties selected Nanjing as their
capital. Relying on the Yangtze River, the Kingdom of Wu and the Eastern Jin
Dynasty, respectively, won victories in “Battle of the Red Cliff (208 A.D.)” and
“Battle of Fei River (383 A.D.)”, which allowed them to guard the vast region to the
south of Yangtze River [3]. The nomadic people and Northern Army, most commonly characterized by their usage of cavalry, were skilled at fighting on the
grassland but were weak at boating on water. They were unable to overcome the
huge natural moat and cross over the Yangtze River, with nothing to be done except
to gaze at the vast water and sigh, standing at a stalemate across the vast river. The
Northerners were forced to admit to the facts of barrier. Thus the remnant of the
Han government was able to escape from the central plains of the Yellow River,
drag out an ignoble existence, allowing Chinese civilization to survive and continue
to perpetuate in South, and then later was able to establish a southern dynasty in
peace.
Zhu Qie (1907–1968 AD), describes the landforms of Nanjing [8]: situated on
the fertile land of Yangtze River basin, controlling the throat of seven provinces, it
was strategic place just like “a coiling dragon and a crouching tiger” which was
“shouldering the mountain and holding the river”. From ancient times to up until
the present day people comment on Nanjing, saying it is located too southeast, as
well as the demarcation point of North and South confrontation; a dynasty with
Nanjing as the capital could not be capable of controlling and unifying the country.
When the army stationed in Nanjing’s Mountains, the independent dynasty could
be established; the northern army was unable to tide over the Yangtze River, and
the south dynasties could survive.
The modern Yangtze River is an important landscape boundary in the development of trans-urban space, also the culture symbol of geography and history. It is
an important area of urban landscape and tourism in Nanjing.
2.4 Impact of Natural Terrain and Historical Geography on Ancient Nanjing
2.4
23
Impact of Natural Terrain and Historical Geography
on Ancient Nanjing
The Indosinian Movement and Yanshan Movement during the Mesozoic Era
decided the geologic structure and hills and landforms of Ningzhen Mountain
Range in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
The system of geographical composition on which the landscape of Nanjing as
an ancient capital relies on are three mountain ranges, two rivers, and three lakes.
The conception and planning of Nanjing have been following this system of natural
geography since its birth, along with the several subsequent major changes
(Figs. 2.4).
Three mountain ranges [9]: (1) The mountain range from Mufu Mountain to
Shizi (Lion) Mountain in Northern Nanjing, with an altitude of 130–286 m, stretches westward from the southern bank of the Yangtze River. A number of strategic
castles were built along this mountain range in ancient times, including the “White
Stone Rampart”, “Mufu” and “Stone City”, of which the most famous military
fortress was the Stone City. (2) As the mountain range in central Nanjing, Zhong
Shan Mountain extends westward to the Yangtze River by way of Beiji Pavilion,
with an altitude of 32–486 m. City walls, temples, mountain villas, gardens, etc.,
Fig. 2.4 An overlook to modern Nanjing area from the different scales high of satellite
24
2 The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography
Fig. 2.4 (continued)
were built along this mountain range. There is a small basin in this second mountain
range. Under the geographical action of Yangtze River and Qinhuai River, the small
basin plain was gradually formed. During the Six Dynasties Period, the ancient
capital of Nanjing originated in this small and smooth plain. This continuous chain
of mountains was reliance for the northern urban area of Nanjing in ancient times.
Between this mountain range and the hills in Rain Flower Terrace (about 3000 m
away from each other) is a flat alluvial valley of Qinhuai River, with an altitude of
below 40 m. Now, this mountain range is still the most important physiognomic
landscape influencing the composition of city center of Nanjing. (3) The mountain
range in southern Nanjing goes around the southeast of this city, including Niushou
(Ox Head) and Zutang (Baddish) Mountain, with an altitude of 95*382 m, which
was a famous tourist resort in ancient times. With two natural peaks sticking up, Ox
2.4 Impact of Natural Terrain and Historical Geography on Ancient Nanjing
25
Fig. 2.4 (continued)
Head Mountain is located to the southern side of the central axis of this city. It was
designated as the “two natural defense guards erected to the south of the city-gate of
Nanjing” by Wang Dao (276–339 AD), a prime minister during the Eastern Jin
Dynasty.
Two rivers refer to the Qinhuai Jinchuan Rivers, having formed two alluvial
plains, respectively, in the North and South of the urban area of Nanjing. The water
system of these two river courses are closely related to the structure of this ancient
capital in terms of location. The river not only served as a boundary of an ancient
city, but also as the important hub of its communications, commerce, trade, and
cultural prosperity (Fig. 2.5).
Three lakes refer to Xuanwu (Black Dragon) Lake, Mochou (Sorrow Lady)
Lake, and Yanque (Red Swallow) Lake. Xuanwu Lake had a direct influence upon
the ecological environment, landscape planning of the ancient city, as well as its
military defense. Mochou Lake was not taken as a tourist resort until the Ming
Dynasty. Yanque Lake was a residential place in which the noblemen of the Six
26
2 The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography
Fig. 2.5 The ancient city of Six Dynasties (229–589 AD) was located in the basin of Qinhuai
River
Dynasties’ villas converged. But most of it was filled up during palace construction
of the Ming Dynasty.
In the period of the Three Kingdoms (221 AD), while jointly observing the
geographical situation of Nanjing on horses, Zhuge Liang (181–234 AD) and Sun
Quan (182–252 AD) found that Nanjing was encircled by impregnable mountains
and rivers, very suitable for the military situation of frequent wars at that time.
2.4 Impact of Natural Terrain and Historical Geography on Ancient Nanjing
27
Zhuge Liang appraised Nanjing by saying: “the western mountain ranges like a
crouching tiger and the eastern like a coiling dragon, it is really an ideal place for an
imperial capital!” (Tables 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4)
Table 2.2 Chronicle of the Nanjing Landsccape
Dynasty. Beginning and ending
year (AD)
The city and its axis. An overview of the geographical
landscape
The Eastern Wu (229–280 AD)
A separatist regime
The city was rectangular as a whole, with its axis (a line
connecting Beiji Pavilion and Yuhuatai) stretching slightly
southwestward by 14°
The capital was surrounded by the tail range of Zhongshan
Mountain, the Stone City was strategic point, restructure the
natural river courses into the trench to preserve the city,
built the Taichu Palace to the south of Xuanwu Lake
A separatist regime
The same landscape as in Eastern Wu
Set up a series of military fortress in the ridge line and along
the Yangtze River, Hualin Garden was built on the southern
bank of Xuanwu Lake
A separatist regime
The same landscape as in Eastern Wu
Built Three Myth Islands and a long dam in the Xuanwu
Lake
A separatist regime
The same as in Eastern Wu
Built Emperor Forest Imperial Park for hunting in the Red
Mountain on the
northern bank of Xuanwu Lake
A separatist regime
The same landscape as in Eastern Wu
Built Tongtai Temple to the south of Ji Long Mountain
A separatist regime
The same landscape as in Eastern Wu
Built three pavilions, namely Face Spring, Link Golden and
Watch Myth
A separatist regime
The city was rectangular as a whole, with its axis (a line
connecting Zhonghua Road and Yuhuatai) stretching
slightly southwestward by 14°
The palace is divided by the Inner River in the south, with
the southward expansion of the city includes Stone City and
Qinhuai River residence area
(continued)
The Eastern Jin (317–420 AD)
Southern
Dynasties
The Song
(420–479 AD)
The Qi
(479–502 AD)
The Liang
(502–557 AD)
The Chen
(557–589 AD)
The Southern Tang
(933–976 AD)
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2 The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography
Table 2.2 (continued)
Dynasty. Beginning and ending
year (AD)
The city and its axis. An overview of the geographical
landscape
The Southern Song
(1129–1138 AD)
A separatist regime
The same landscape as in Southern Tang
Fill in Xuanwu Lake for farmland
A nationally unified regime
Zigzagging amid mountains, rivers and lakes, the city was
shaped like a gourd, including four layers: Palace City,
Imperial City, Capital City, and Outer City. With Yudao
Street as its axis, stretching slightly southwestward by 5°
The Yangtze River in the north is the natural moat of the
city. Jubao Mountain, Zhongshan Mountain and Mufu
Mountain were included in the outer city, the city includes
the Stone City, Lion Mountain, Bei Ji Ge, Fuzhou
Mountain, etc. The Swallow Lake was filled up
A separatist regime
The same landscape as in Ming. Sorrow Lady Lake and
White Bird Sandbank both become important landscape
gardens
A separatist regime
The same landscape as in Ming
The Heaven and Earth Castle were both built on the top and
at the foot of Zhongshan Mountain, they were the military
point defending the northeast of the city
A nationally unified regime on the surface, but in fact there
are separatist regimes
With Sun Yat-Sen Road as its axis, the city extended from
northwest to southeast. Roads lined with lush and shady
trees became an important feature of the cityscape of
Nanjing. The Drum tower, Five Terrace Mountain, and
Heaven Gate continuous mountain ranges were destroyed
by new city construction
The Ming (1368–1402 AD)
The Southern Ming
(1644–1645 AD)
The Taiping Heavenly
Kingdom (1853–1864 AD)
The Republic of China
(1927–1949 AD)
Table 2.3 Historical changes of the city names [8, 10, 11]
Time period
Ancient times
The spring and autumn
period (BC 495)
The spring and autumn
period (472 BC)
The Warring States (333
BC)
Qin (221 BC)
Name of
the city
Changes to the city
YeCheng
Belong to ancient Yang Zhou
Smelting and casting workshop
YueCheng
Military castle beside QingHuai River
JingLing
Yi
MoLing
County
Military castle in Stone Mountain
County government
(continued)
2.4 Impact of Natural Terrain and Historical Geography on Ancient Nanjing
Table 2.3 (continued)
Time period
Name of
the city
Changes to the city
Han (211 BC)
MoLing
County
JianYe
JianKang
JianKang
JianKang
County government
The capital of Wu state
A normal city
The capital of east Jing
The capital of Liu Song dynasty
JianKang
The capital of South Qi dynasty
JianKang
The capital of Xiao Liang dynasty
JianKang
The capital of Cheng dynasty
JiangZhou
JiangLing
ShengZhou
JingLing
The district belongs to YangZhou
A normal city
A normal city
The capital of South Tang dynast
JiangLing
JiangLing
The capital of South Tang dynasty
Local government
JiangKang
Temporary capital
JiQing
YingTian
Local government
The capital of united the whole country
Nanjing
The capital moved to Beijing
Nanjing
South Ming, the capital of a separate country
JiangLing
TianJing
The government of the province
The capital of TaiPing Heaven dynasty
Nanjing
1912, national temporary capital. 1937–1945,
Japanese Army occupied. 1927–1937 and
1945–1949, national capital
Jiangsu Province capital
Wu (212 AD)
West Jin (313 AD)
East Jin (317 AD)
South
Liu Song
dynasty
(420–479
AD)
South Qi
(479–502
AD)
Xiao Liang
(502–57 AD)
Cheng
(557–589
AD)
Sui (589–618 AD)
Tang (620–757 AD)
Five Dynasties (933–937
AD)
Ten Kingdoms 937–976
Song
North Song
dynasty
(987–1128
AD)
South Song
(1128–1138
AD)
Yuan (1277–1329 AD)
Ming
(1356–1403
Dynasty
AD)
(1403–1643
AD)
1644–1645
AD
Qing (1645–1911 AD)
TaiPing Heaven (1853–
1864 AD)
Republic China (1912–
1949 AD)
Peoples Republic of China
(1949-)
Nanjing
29
30
2 The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography
Table 2.4 The Population and Square of Historical City in Nanjing (1 li = 500 meters, 1 bu = 1
step, 1 zhang = 3.33 meters)
Dynasty
Population
(thousand)
City perimeter, gate
Perimeter
of the palace
Historical
document
Wu of Three
Kingdoms
Eastern Jin
300
Perimeter: 20 li 19 bu. Gate 6
500 zhang
450
Perimeter: 22 li 60 bu. Gate
12
Perimeter: 22 li 60 bu. Gate
12
Destroyed most of the city
wall, only the Stone City
remains
Perimeter: 25 li 44 bu.
Ground gate 5 and water gate
3
Same as in the Southern Tang
Dynasty
Perimeter: 34.36 km. Ground
gate 13 and water gate 2
Perimeter: 34.36 km. Ground
gate 13 and water gate 2
Perimeter: 34.36 km. Ground
gate 15 and water gate 2
Jiangkang
record
Jiangkang
record
Jiangkang
record
Golden Hill
history
Liang of
South
Sui
1000
Southern
Tang
400
Yuan
130
Ming
1190
Qing
900
Republic
China
960 (1935)
1230
(1947)
980 (1950)
1800
(2015)
Modern day
2.5
240
Destroyed part of the wall
and gate
6 li 100 bu
4 li 265 bu,
or 3.84 km
3.4 km
Golden Hill
archeological
images
Golden Hill
history
Measurement
Golden Hill
history
Capital history
Nanjing Bureau
of urban
planning
Impact of Geographical Environment
on the Formation of Historical Landscape in Nanjing
As it belongs to the western part of the Nanjing-Zhenjiang Mountains, the landscape of Nanjing is hilly. With its location in the lower reaches of the Yangtze
River, the overall terrain of Nanjing is high in the north and low in the south. Lower
hills account for 64.52 % of the total area, and water covers 11.4 % of the city, with
plains and marshland accounting for 24.08 %. The Qinhuai River, flowing through
the territory of Nanjing, is a branch of Yangtze River and the valleys and plains are
the main agricultural regions. During the Prehistoric Period, Nanjing was covered
in forests and bushes, with mountains, rivers, and lakes intersecting. During the
Late Stone Age, human beings led the life of hunters and gatherers for hundreds of
years. During the Spring and Autumn Period, as well as the Warring States Period,
there were many military fortresses. The ancestors began picking sites as capitals in
the Wu Dynasty, during the period of the Three Kingdoms. And it was then that the
governance of mountains and hills and rivers and lakes in a larger scale began.
2.5 Impact of Geographical Environment on the Formation of …
31
In ancient times, Emperors believed that the capital should be located at some
place where he would be able to observe the stars and overlook the earth [2]. The
landscape and geography of the capital, in their minds, could play a decisive role in
maintaining the prosperity of the empire. The geography in Nanjing constitutes the
“Four Images” in Feng Shui, namely, Eastern Blue Dragon, Western White Tiger,
Southern Phoenix, and Northern Tortoise. Jiankang City (the name of Nanjing in
Six Dynasties) is situated in the aforementioned “Four Images”; and also constituted the traditional thinking of the Five Elements of green, white, red, black, and
yellow. The palace in the center was “yellow”, which was in accordance with the
basic principle and pattern of “back to mountains, face the water as well as the
sunshine”.
There are three theories about choosing the site of historical capitals, according
to which Nanjing was selected as the capital.
The “Center Theory” maintains that capital should be chosen at the geographical
center of the ruling territory to fully display political, cultural and military functions
and strengthen the control of the whole country. Meanwhile, the emperor, the son of
the god, should be at the center of the world to establish a capital and construct
palaces to achieve nature-human integration. This theory belongs to the ideological
system of the Li culture, which was developed by Confucius, which said that people
should return to propriety. The site of Luoyang (the capital of Eastern Han) is in
line with this theory. Nanjing is located in the southeast of China and this location is
the strategic point for the north–south confrontation but cannot control the whole of
China and thus cannot achieve unification. In the history of Nanjing, many people
thought to use this geography in order to gain independence and power in South
China.
The “Astronomy Theory” argues that the capital should be chosen in order to
serve as a mimic of the starry sky. The rivers and lakes around the capital should be
in line with the galaxy, with the mountains echoing with the constellations.
According to the layout of stars, the city and palace should be among the rivers and
mountains. This theory belongs to the ideology of pursing the harmony between
nature and human beings. The selection of capitals and layout of palaces in the six
dynasties and Ming Dynasties, and the surrounding mountains and rivers and lakes
all draw lessons from this theory.
The “Regional Theory” insists that when choosing capital, the geographical
factors, natural resources and environment, and traffic should be taken into consideration. This theory pays great attention to the functionality of environment.
Nanjing, located in the strategic position of Yangtze River, is of great importance in
transportation. 65 % of Nanjing is comprised of hilly landscape, making it easier
for military defense. Areas around Qinhuai River belong to valley plains, and the
city is 12 m above sea level.
The Geological base in Nanjing is made of flexible rocks. In the past 2000 years
since 123 AD, there have been very few seismic records. Nanjing suffered from
destructive earthquakes five times with magnitude from 4.5 to 5.5 in 123 AD, 499
AD, 504 AD, 1372 AD, and 1399 AD. Since 1399 AD, no such devastating
earthquake has taken place.
32
2 The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography
Nanjing belongs to northern subtropical humid monsoon climate. It is in the
region where the Eastern China monsoon prevails, with four distinct seasons. In
winter, the weather in Nanjing is clear, cold, and dry, for it is affected by air mass
influence by Eurasian continental air. During the summer, the weather in Nanjing is
hot, with plenty of rain, which is due to the influence of the low pressure region in
Eurasia. In spring and autumn, the transitional periods between winter and summer,
dry and cool weather dominates.
Along the terms of plant distribution, Nanjing belongs to plain and hilly region
in Yangtze River, with a gradual transition from deciduous broadleaf forests to
deciduous broadleaf and evergreen broadleaf mixed forest areas. The Main tree
species are: Pinus massoniana Lamb, Quercus acutissima Carruth, Quercus variabilis Bl, Liquidambar formosana Hance, Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. Et Zucc,
Cyclobalanopsis glauca, Castanopsis sclerophylla (Lindl.) Schott, Ilex chinensis
Sims, and Photinia serrulata Lindl. There are some exotic plants such as: cedar,
Pinus taeda L., and Magnolia Grandiflora Linn. During the Republic of China
(1927–1949 AD), the main tree species along the city street were Platanus with
high, huge tree crowns covering all of the sky, which is a characteristic landscape in
the historical capital of Nanjing.
2.6
Historical Periods in Eastern China and Climate
Changes in Nanjing
Cold and warm weather alternated throughout Chinese history, and political
changes and economic development was influenced greatly by these natural climate
changes. With Nanjing as a historical capital, the landscape changes are related to
human and cultural elements and to changes of natural environment.
① The first warm period (3000 BC–1100 BC), was equivalent to the period from
the Yangshao Culture Era to the Anyang YinXu (Ruins of Yin Dynasty) Era.
The weather was muggy and rainy, plains suffered from floods, endangering
people life and production of crops. During the ruling of Yao, Shun, and Yu,
many legends about the floods emerged. Nanjing, at the edge of the bay, is
located along the mighty Yangtze River with lakes and rivers intersecting.
There were original village settlements on the slopes along the Qinhuai River,
tributary of the Yangtze River, as well as along the Jinchuan River.
② The first cold period (1100 BC–770 BC) is equivalent to the Western Zhou
Era. According to historical records, Hanjiang, the tributary of Yangtze River
was frozen two times, which occurred respectively in 903 BC and 897 BC.
During the ruling of Zhouxiao Wang (King Xiao of Zhou Dynasty) developed
agricultural civilization appeared in the Yellow River basin. Bays around
Nanjing receded toward the east and the land extended. Original villages
increased along the Qinhuai River and Jinchuan River but Nanjing remained
to be an original village.
2.6 Historical Periods in Eastern China and Climate Changes in Nanjing
33
③ The second warm period (770 BC–1 AD) is equivalent to the ruling period of
the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring
States Period and the Qin and Han Dynasty. The military role of Qinhuai River
at the entrance of the Yangtze River drew attention. During the Spring and
Autumn Period and Warring States Period, kings set up several military forts
in accordance with the landscape of mountains in Nanjing. Qin Shi Huang, the
first emperor of China, after unifying China set up “Moling” County in
Nanjing, which means a place to raise horses.
④ The second cold period (1 AD–600 AD) is equivalent to the ruling period of
the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Three Kingdoms, the Jin, and the Southern and
Northern Dynasties. The weather in the first half of this period was relatively
moist, the second half drier. From 280 AD to 289 AD, in particular, the place
underwent the coldest period in history, during which northern grassland
nomads invaded and five barbarian tribes occupied the Yellow River Basin.
China was caught in wars of secession, lasting for 300 years. Relying on the
Yangtze River, Nanjing controlled Southeast China and was chosen as the
capital for six dynasties. It witnessed economic and cultural prosperity, and the
frequent changes of the king regimes. The Imperial garden was built around
Xuanwu Lake. According to historical records, ice rooms were built in Fuzhou
Mountain in Southern Dynasty to allow the Emperor to store ice for the
summer, and the river was frozen solid. There were other historical materials
recording that Stone City was flooded by Yangtze River.
⑤ The third warm period (600 AD–1000 AD) is equivalent to the ruling periods
of the Sui Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty, and the Five Dynasties towards the end
of Tang Dynasty. The climate was significantly warmer, more humid and
rainy from the seventh century. China once again unified after expelling the
barbarians. Nanjing was demolished and the urban landscape was in heavy
depression. The Yangtze River receded further from the Stone City towards
the northwest. Another round of prosperity lasted for 40 years during the
Southern Tang Dynasty.
⑥ The third cold period (1000 AD–1200 AD) is equivalent to the ruling periods
of the Northern Song Dynasty and the Southern Song Dynasty. Early in the
12th century, the weather in Northern China was cold and water grass was in
short supply. After the invasion by foreign nations Liao and Jin, two northeast
nomads, emperor of Song Dynasty moved the capital from Kaifeng to
Hangzhou. In 1111 AD, the Taihu Lake was frozen, horses, and carriages
could travel on it. The cold made the citrus trees planted on the Dongting
Mountain froze to death. Nanjing was also very cold and in a great depression.
The size of Xuanwu Lake greatly scaled down.
⑦ The fourth warm period (1200 AD–1300 AD) is equivalent to the late
Southern Song Dynasty or the early Yuan Dynasty. In the late Southern Song
Dynasty no snow ever appeared in Hangzhou. The warm period that continued
for over a century was global, and was even recorded in ice cores in Europe,
America, and Greenland. Northern Mongolian nomads made an invasion
across the Yellow River towards the South, the Yangtze River and finally
34
2 The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography
occupied the whole of China. Nanjing was in desolate depression and its
population drastically declined.
⑧ The fourth cold period (1300 AD–1900 AD) is equivalent to the end of the
Yuan Dynasty and the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Taihu Lake’s ice was several
inches thick, allowing people to walk upon its surface. Citrus trees around the
lake once again all froze to death. After the expulsion of the Mongols, China
restored the Han cultural domination and began the ruling of the Ming
Dynasty with Nanjing as its proud capital, allowing Nanjing to once again
become China’s economic and cultural center. There was a sharp increase in
its population, and the world’s largest city wall was constructed during this
period. After the Qing Dynasty established its capital in Beijing, Nanjing, as
an important city in the south of the Yangtze River, was able to maintain its
economic and cultural prosperity.
2.7
2.7.1
Early Nanjing Geography and Settlement
Environment in Stone Age
The Tangshan Ape-Man and Geographical
Environment in Paleolithic Period
The altitude of Leigong Mountain, located in Tangshan Town in the eastern suburbs
of Nanjing is 69 m. In April 1993, two complete ape-man skull fossils were found
in the caves located on the mountain, one male and the other female [4]. Since then,
evidence of a group of mammals were found there, and the archaeological team has
gained more than 1000 fossil specimens of 15 species of animals. With the help of
U-series dating, archaeologists believe the Tangshan ape-man lived in the mid and
late Pleistocene, approximately 35 million years ago.
Among the fauna fossils in Tangshan Mountain in Nanjing, euryceros
pachyosteus, Roe deer and buffalo, Gurley Spotted deer, bears, jackals, hyenas,
were all present. In addition, Sus lydekkeri were also discovered; Sus lydekkeri are
omnivores, mostly living in the bush hills. Artiodactyla animals have the distinct
features of animal groups in northern China.
According to archaeological inference, the landscape at the foothills was
grassland and meadows and scattered lakes. The main woody conifer species were
pine and fir, and the main deciduous broad-leaved species were birch, elm, and oak
with deciduous broad-leaved and coniferous forest dominating [12]. The annual
average temperature at the time is similar to that of the present temperatures, but the
winter was colder with a larger temperature difference, and more obvious four
seasons.
At the time, most of Nanjing was flooded by the ancient Yangtze River or the
ancient Qinhuai River, leaving some highlands and mountains the habitats for
creatures. Leigong Mountain was the junction of mountains and plains, laying on
2.7 Early Nanjing Geography and Settlement Environment in Stone Age
35
the mountains and along the rivers, providing a good view in order to look for
shelters. The Tangshan ape-man chose the boundary area of geographical changes
for the ecological diversity. In addition, this was a necessary pass for animal
migration, thus meeting the demands of hunting, sheltering and movement.
350,000 years ago, in the Era of the Ape, the world was desolate and absolutely
natural, without art and modern ideas. Ape-man was able to evolve through brutal
survival competitions. The caves acted as their living space;there were no such
architectural structures. But they were capable of conscious choices for natural
environment, their behavior was also evolving due to natural selection.
After the Tangshan ape skull was found, neither more remains, nor life-related
remains have been found. There were no stone facilities, no fire traces. Therefore,
archaeologist cannot determine that Tangshan cave was a living cave for the
ape-man. Zhoukoudian Cave has quite a different situation, where many life-related
Paleolithic appliances and stacking fire traces were unearthed. Tangshan, unlike the
Peking Man, was not a complete living space, so it has not been as highly globally
publicized as the Peking Man has.
Are Tangshan ape-man the ancestors of humans in the Yangtze River basin or in
Nanjing? Currently, there is no scientific evidence and this problem remains to be
complicated.
2.7.2
The Original Villages Along the Yangtze River
Tributary in Neolithic
The Neolithic Period began around ten thousand years ago. People began to purposefully grow plants and domesticate animals, nurturing the agriculture and animal
husbandry industries. This new production mode is based on sedentary life, and
hence, settlements, villages and houses appeared.
Chinese Neolithic culture originates both in the Yellow River and the Yangtze
River basins. The center of Neolithic culture is located in areas adjacent to Shaanxi,
Shanxi, and Henan provinces. There have been Cishan-Peiligang (7000–8000 years
ago), Yangshao culture (5000–7000 years ago) and Longshan Culture (4000–
5000 years ago) and the like. This development represents an agricultural evolution
in temperate-arid and semiarid climates. The Neolithic archaeology in recent years
shows that the Neolithic site in Hangzhou Bay, east of Zhejiang Province, can date
back to 8000–10000 years. Hemudu, Majiabang, Songze, and Liangzhu cultures
appeared along both sides of the Hangzhou Bay 7000–4000 years ago, which led to
the evolution of paddy agricultural culture in tropical and subtropical humid
climates.
5000 years ago, the forests in Nanjing were rolling, full of thorns, with rivers
and lakes intersecting. Four distinctive seasons and abundant water resources
provided a suitable environment for living and breeding. Original villages and
residence began to gradually form in Nanjing urban areas.
36
2 The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography
Archaeologists discovered that there are two main paths for human activities in
Neolithic Nanjing [11] (Fig. 2.6):
One is from the Drum Tower Hill to the northeast, stretching along the mountains around the Xuanwu Lake to the northern foothill of Purple Mountain. Along
this path, the rocks in the north foothill in Purple Mountain were mined out. These
stones were manufactured into various production or living tools.
Another path starts from the Drum Tower Hill to the southwest. It stretches
along a series of hills to Rain Flower Terrace.
In early 1930s, three ancient cultural relic sites were found near XiXia Mountain
in the eastern outskirts [13]. In recent decades, the cultural landscape, time features,
evolution series, and other symbols have been established in the ancient cultural
relic sites in Nanjing. Over 200 residential settlements from the Bronze Age are
Fig. 2.6 Two paths of Neolithic period in Nanjing area
2.7 Early Nanjing Geography and Settlement Environment in Stone Age
37
located along the Qinhuai River on the south bank of the Yangtze River, Jinchuan
River, Xuanwu Lake, ancient Danyang Lake, Xuhe River, and Chuhe River on the
north bank of the Yangtze. Archaeologists discovered the North Yin and Yang
Camp Site, and the Suojin Village Relic Site along the bank of the Jinchuan River,
and Pingdingshan Mountain Site, Yangjiao Mountain Site, and Niutougang Site
along the Chuhe River in the north of the Yantze River. In 1951, cultural relic sites
from the Neolithic Period were discovered in Hushu Town, referred to as Hushu
Culture. Hushu Town is near the Qinhuai River, where the villages from the
Neolithic Period concentrated, such as the Hushu Site and Laoshudun Site. Since
the Neolithic, the Qinhuai River basin has been a densely populated area (Fig. 2.7).
Fig. 2.7 Distribution of Neolithic villages in the Nanjing region
38
2 The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography
The Neolithic sites in Nanjing are not on the edge of the Yangtze River, but on
the Yangtze River tributary river plateau; the original inhabitants in Neolithic
settled here because these places were near to the water but would not be flooded.
The coastal areas along the Yangtze River are not ideal places for settlement due to
the large waves of the Yangtze River and frequent flooding of the surrounding
areas.
Usually, the layout of villages is like that of a platform on highlands near to the
water, most of which are located on river terraces that are linked by ancient waters
forming respective regional networks. Many Neolithic sites were still in use during
the Bronze Age. In terms of the cultural landscape of these ancient relics, the
geographical features are quite obvious, exerting their looming influence on their
surroundings and outer reaches.
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