| The historic city of Dinghai is located on the Zhoushan Islands, Zhejiang Province,
and was listed in the first batch of Provincial Historical and Cultural Cities. From the Song
to the Qing Dynasty, Dinghai was alternated between the political city and the Wei-Suo city
as a result of the changing security situation of the sea border. In detail, Dinghai functioned
as a political city from the 6th year of Xining period (1073) to 20th year of Hongwu period
(1387), as a Wei-Suo city from the 20th year of Hongwu period (1387) to the end of the Ming
Dynasty, and as a political city again from the 26th year of Kangxi period (1687) to the end
of Qing Dynasty. It is so special and typical that Dinghai is of great value to make out the
distinguishing features of the political city and the Wei-Suo city in ancient China. The paper
figures out the construction history of Dinghai by combing through historical documents,
archaeological discoveries, and current remains, locates key historical elements based on
geographic information technology, and eventually restores the planar form at every stage. By
comparing the similarities and differences in composing elements and spatial feature among the
three major historical stages, the planning characteristics of the political city and the Wei-Suo
city are revealed.
The construction history of Dinghai after the Song Dynasty can be divided into five
stages. Firstly, 6th year of Xining period to the end of the Yuan Dynasty. In Xining period
(1073), a new city was built on the city ruins of the Tang Dynasty, the extent of which remained
unchanged until the end of the Yuan Dynasty. During this period, it was kept as a political
city, although the city level was adjusted in the Yuan Dynasty. Second, 2nd year to 20th year
of Hongwu period. In 2nd year of Hongwu period (1369), the city was rebuilt and the city
perimeter was expanded from five li to 1216 zhang (“li” and “zhang” are both ancient Chinese
length units). Third, 20th year of Hongwu period to 8th year of Zhengtong period. In the 20th
year of Hongwu period (1387), Dinghai was adjusted from a political city to a Wei-Suo city,
while the city extent remained. Fourth, 8th year of Zhengtong period to the end of the Ming
dynasty. In 8th year of Zhengtong period (1443), the city extent was reduced as the northeast
corner was cut by 0.5 li. Fifth, 28th year of Kangxi period to the end of the Qing dynasty. In the
26th year of the Kangxi period (1687), Dinghai was re-established as a political city. Two years
later, the city was rebuilt exactly in the old extent, which lasted until the empire perished.
The composing elements of Dinghai as a political city could be sorted into six categories, including the government seat, the school and
Confucius Temple, the granary, the pension facility, the altar, and temple, corresponding to the six main functions of administration, education,
storage, public relief, sacrifice, and religion. By contrast, Dinghai as Wei-Suo city had only four categories of the elements, including the military
facility, the granary, the altar, and the temple, corresponding to the main functions of defense, storage, sacrifice, and religion, in which the defense
function was of primary dominance.
The spatial order of Dinghai experienced ups and downs as the city identity alternates between a political city and a Wei-Suo city. In 6th year
of Xining period (1073), the spatial order was established centering on the Zhuangyuan Bridge (the Salt Bridge) at first construction. In 2nd year
of Hongwu period (1369), the spatial order was reshaped through the location of the city gates centered on the government seat in the process of
expansion. When Dinghai was adjusted to a Wei-Suo city in the Ming Dynasty, the spatial order was weakened. In the Qing Dynasty, although
the city walls were built along that of the Ming Dynasty, the government seat was rebuilt and moved back to the city center, taking on a traditional
city pattern with the government seat surrounded by the city gates. Besides, the spatial relation between the government seat and the surrounding
mountains and rivers was intentionally strengthened to shape the overall order of the built and natural environments.
It is concluded that accompanied by the alternation between a political city and a Wei-Suo city, the composing elements and spatial feature
changed accordingly. The political city emphasized the functions of administration and education, while the Wei-Suo city emphasized the function
of military defense. In terms of composing elements, the other elements changed with the adjustment of the city identity, except for the three types
of elements such as granaries, altars, and temples. In addition, the planning of the political cities focused on order, which was shaped to express the
ritual system, while the planning of the Wei-Suo city focused on security, adopting a free layout adapted to the terrain to guarantee security. |
