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Politecnico di Milano Scuola di Architettura e Società Polo di Mantova Laurea Magistrale Architettura Revival of Hosi Corridor under the Circumstances of Belt and Road Initiative Politecnico di Milano School of architecture and society Master in Architecture Supervisor: Prof. Maria Cristina Colombo Student: Liting DU CONTENTS CONTENTS ...................................................................................................... I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................. III ABSTRACT ................................................................................................... IV CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES ........... 1 1.1 WORLD ECONOMIC SITUATION BACKGROUND .......................................... 1 1.2 ANALYSIS ON CHINA’S INTERNATIONAL TRADE ......................................... 4 1.3 BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE .................................................................... 9 1.4 POLICY.............................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER 2. SILK ROAD .......................................................................... 16 2.1 HISTORY OF SILK ROAD ...................................................................... 16 2.2 GEOMETRY OF SILK ROAD .................................................................. 33 2.3 IMPACT AND IMPORTANT ROLE (COMMODITY, CULTURE, RELIGION) ........... 34 CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY .. 36 3.1 LUOYANG AND CHANG’AN (XI’AN), CENTRAL CITIES OF CENTRAL CHINA .. 37 3.2 DUNHUANG, CENTRAL CITY OF HOSI CORRIDOR .................................... 40 3.3 KASHGAR, CENTRAL CITY OF SOUTH XINJIANG ...................................... 41 3.4 SAMARKAND, CENTRAL CITY OF CENTRAL ASIA ..................................... 42 3.5 HAMADAN, CENTRAL CITY OF IRAN ....................................................... 43 3.6 CONSTANTINOPLE (ISTANBUL), CENTRAL CITY OF TURKEY ...................... 45 CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS .......................... 48 I 4.1 ANALYSIS ON GEOGRAPHY OF HOSI CORRIDOR .................................... 49 4.2 HISTORY ........................................................................................... 55 4.3 ONCE-PROUD ECONOMY .................................................................... 56 4.4 CULTURE AND RELIGION DIVERSITY ANALYSIS ........................................ 57 4.5 ANALYSIS ON THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM ALONG HOSI CORRIDOR .......... 60 4.6 ANALYSIS OF HERITAGE SITES ALONG THE HOSI CORRIDOR .................... 66 4.7 CURRENT ECONOMY .......................................................................... 79 4.8 PROBLEMS ........................................................................................ 91 4.9 POTENTIALS UNDER BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE ..................................... 95 CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR 99 5.1 CULTURAL CORRIDOR ......................................................................... 99 5.2 DIGITAL CORRIDOR ........................................................................... 109 5.3 TOURISM: A PILGRIMAGE FOR CULTURE ............................................... 113 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCE:......................................................... 119 II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Prof. Maria Christina Colombo, for her patience, motivation, enthusiasm, and immense knowledge. Her guidance helped me in all the time of research and writing of this thesis. I could not have imagined having a better supervisor and mentor for my thesis. Besides my supervisor, I would like to thank Ms. Martina Veneri at welcome desk, for all her kindness and help since I came to politecnico di Milano. In every respect of daily life, she has been always giving me advices and help. I would also like to thank all my teachers who have helped me to develop the fundamental and essential academic competence. My sincere thanks also go to all my friends, for their encouragement and support during the two years in Europe. Last but not the least, I would like to thank my family: my parents DU Gongqiang and HE Jianying, for giving birth to me at the first place and supporting me spiritually throughout my life. III ABSTRACT In September and October of 2013, when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Central Asia and Southeast Asia, he raised the initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, also known as the Belt and Road Initiative. The Belt and Road Initiative is a development strategy and framework, proposed by People's Republic of China that focuses on connectivity and cooperation among countries primarily in Eurasia. China recently pledged US$ 40 billion to a Silk Road Fund designed to improve trade and transport links in Asia. The fund will be used to support the development of "Belt and Road initiative". So far, the Silk Road once flourishing for more than one thousand years, has prepared to come to life. With the purpose of revitalization, first of all, I made analysis on the history and culture of the whole Silk Road. Afterwards, follows the second chapter describing the background of Belt and Road initiative, along with its brief introduction of its policy. After analyzing the current economic situation at home and abroad, as well as the wax and wane of the Silk Road in history, in terms of history and geography, in the third chapter, I could divide the Silk Road into 6 sections, each of them with its important historical central city. From the east to the west, they are Central China, centered on Luoyang and Xi’an (Chang’an); Hosi corridor, centered on Dunhuang; south Xinjiang, Kashgar; Central Asia, centered on Samakand; Iran, centered on Hamadan; Turkey, centered on Istanbul. Among the sections above, as one part of the Silk Road on the World IV Heritage List, Hosi corridor has the unique geographical location and possessed the largest possibility of development and vitalization due to economic policy and its profound and splendid history. As a consequence, in the fourth chapter, I go into the study on the Hosi corridor, including its history, nature, heritage, as well as the economy of its administration zone, Gansu province. In the study, hundreds of heritage sites, for instance, ancient cities, grottos, and the Great Wall, which have historical and cultural values, deserve particular concerns. Under the economic impact, the precious culture and heritage must be carefully protected and well-preserved. In return, we can take advantage of the cultural heritage of Hosi corridor, to promote Hosi corridor as a “Cultural Corridor” and “Digital Corridor”, presenting the prosperous culture and history by several proposals, which demonstrated in the last chapter. Thus, the culture and economy of Hosi corridor can strive to thrive. Key Words: Silk Road, the Belt and Road initiative, culture and heritage, Hosi corridor, urbanism, tourism V CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES CHAPTER 1. China-proposed Belt and Road Initiatives 1.1 World economic situation background 1.1.1 The Atlantic-rim trade(15th century to the early 20th century) Before 1800, the world economic center is in Asia, only surpassed by Europe in 19th century because of the Industrial Revolution. Around 1750, we had the British Industrial Revolution, an inflection point in the economic history of the world. The industrial revolution modified the whole structure of English society. It raised the curtain on modernization of the world, and the expansion of capital promoted the modernizing procedure. . (a) (b) Figure 1.1 photo of the he British Industrial Revolution The urbanization starts from Britain's industrial revolution, with the development of industrial revolution, spreads to the American-European continent. The commercial revolution in the West shortly changed into industrial revolution, but the East lost the opportunity. 1 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES Figure 1.2 The Atlantic-rim trade 1.1.2 The Pacific-rim trade(mid-20th century to the early 21st century) The third scientific technological revolution has shortened the spatiotemporal distance and accelerated the cultural exchanges. In the 21st century, economic globalization has been deepening under the tide of the new scientific and technological revolution. Industry integration is against this background that accompanied the pace of new scientific and technological revolution to us. Figure 1.3 The Pacific-rim trade 2 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES 1.1.3 The Indian-ocean-rim trade(after 21st century) After 21st century, complex and profound changes are taking place in the world. The international financial crisis has taken place frequently, and has brought enormous impact and destruction to a lot of countries' economy. The underlying impact of the international financial crisis keeps emerging; the world economy is recovering slowly, and global development is uneven; the international trade and investment landscape and rules for multilateral trade and investment are undergoing major adjustments; and countries still face big challenges to their development. The Chinese, African, Indian and ASEAN proportion of urban residents in the word has been notably increasing from 28% in 1960 to 49% in 2013. Figure 1.4 proportion of urban residents in 2013 The ratio of total volume of import and export trade of the world’s total has increased from 14% in 1960, to 35% in 2013. 3 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES Figure 1.5 ratio of total volume of import and export trade in 2013 The FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) GDP of the world’s has grown from 8% in 1960, to 40% in 2013. Figure 1.6 The FDI in 2013 1.2 Analysis on China’s international trade 1.2.1 Import and export trade China is the largest export economy in the world and the 22nd most complex economy according to the Economic Complexity Index (ECI). In 2013, China exported $2.25T and imported $1.56T, resulting in a positive trade 4 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES balance of $690B. In 2013 the GDP of China was $9.2T and its GDP per capita was $6.81k. 1 Figure 1.7 ecnomy complexity, exports, impotrs, and GDP per capita from 1980 to 2013 During the last five years the exports of China have increased at an annualized rate of 6.8%, from $1.62T in 2008 to $2.25T in 2013. The most recent exports are led by Computers which represent 9.3% of the total exports of China, followed by Broadcasting Equipment, which account for 5.71%. During the last five years the imports of China have increased at an annualized rate of 12.7%, from $856B in 2008 to $1.56T in 2013. The most recent imports are led by Crude Petroleum which represents 12.8% of the total imports of China, followed by Integrated Circuits, which account for 8.94%. The top import origins of China are Other Asia ($155B), South Korea ($142B), Japan ($133B), the United States ($130B) and Australia ($94.4B). While the top export destinations of China are the United States ($423B), Hong Kong ($270B), Japan ($163B), Germany ($92.5B) and South Korea ($80.3B). As of 2013 China had a positive trade balance of $690B in net exports. As compared to their trade balance in 1995 when they still had a positive trade balance of $79.8B in net exports. 1 From OEC (the Observatory of Economic Complexity), by Alexander Simoes 5 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES Figure 1.8 Import and export balance 2 When China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in late 2001, its share of world exports stood at 4.3%. After China's accession into WTO in 2001, China's export volume increases enormously. The trade structure in China is undergoing improved and optimized, although the export mainly depends on labor-intensive manufacturing and the service trade is poor. Figure 1.9 Import and export routes of the grain, energy resource and raw materials 2 From OEC (the Observatory of Economic Complexity), by Alexander Simoes 6 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES Figure 1.10 Import and export routes of the industrial and high-tech products As a large agricultural country, agricultural product plays an important role in China's exportation. Because the manufacturing industry product which takes the most important role in Chinese exports trade are the main trade products between China and ASEAN. In the past 25 years, export tax rebate policy played a positive role on the economic development and Reform and Opening of China, and it also promoted export trade effectively. Presently, the economic growth of our country mainly depends on the expansion of investment demand and enlargement of export. 1.2.2 Status and problems First of all, the excess capacity and excess foreign exchange assets maybe the biggest problem. Besides, Chinese oil, gas and mineral resources highly depend on foreign countries. What is worse, China’s industrial and infrastructure is concentrated in the coastal areas, these core facilities will be easy to lose if there are any external attack. 1.2.3 Investment and trade Nowadays, China has become an acknowledged big trade nation. 7 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES According to data from World Bank, in 2013, China’s total volume of foreign trade reached $46441 trillion, only after the United States of $5.0326 trillion, ranking second in the world. It is the first time that China shares 10 percent of global trade, which is by no means clear that it is the peak of China. Figure 1.11 Changes in global trade proportion of China, the United States and Japan 3 1.2.4 Solution From the experience of the Marshall Plan of the United States and Japan archipelago reform plan, after the export-oriented strategy of the two countries, the external trade once again glow the vitality, export competitiveness significantly enhanced. Since the Marshall Plan, the international trade competitiveness of the United States continued to rise and reached the peak period in the 1960s, accounting the proportion of global trade nearly 16%. Japan accounted for 7.6% of the global trade in 1984, because of the archipelago reform plan since 1970, 2% higher than 5.4% in 1970. Along the B&R Initiative increase the export, China is expected to accelerate the progress of transforming from a big trading country to a powerful trading country. The proportion of global trade is expected to improve. 3 By CMBC ( China Minsheng Banking Corp . Ltd .) 8 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES 1.3 Belt and Road Initiative The Belt and Road, which consists of two main components, the land-based "Silk Road Economic Belt" (SREB) and oceangoing "Maritime Silk Road" (MSR), run through the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, connecting the vibrant East Asia economic circle at one end and developed European economic circle at the other, and encompassing countries with huge potential for economic development. The development strategy was unveiled by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in September and October 2013 in announcements revealing the SREB and MSR, respectively. The strategy underlines China's push to take a bigger role in global affairs, and its need to export China's production capacity in areas of overproduction such as steel manufacturing. Figure 1.12 Schematic diagram of Belt and Road initiative The Silk Road Economic Belt focuses on bringing China, Central Asia, Russia and Europe (the Baltic) together; linking China with the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea through Central Asia and West Asia; and 9 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES connecting China with Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Indian Ocean. 4 Essentially, the 'belt' includes countries situated on the original Silk Road through Central Asia, West Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The initiative calls for the integration of the region into a cohesive economic area through building infrastructure, increasing cultural exchanges, and broadening trade. Apart from this zone, which is largely analogous to the historical Silk Road, another area that is said to be included in the extension of this 'belt' is South Asia and Southeast Asia. Many of the countries that are part of this 'belt' are also members of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Figure 1.13 Trading route of Belt and Road initiative The 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road is designed to go from China's coast to Europe through the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean in one route, and from China's coast through the South China Sea to the South Pacific in the other. 4 an action plan on the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, with State Council authorization, from China Daily 10 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES On land, the Initiative will focus on jointly building a new Eurasian Land Bridge and developing China-Mongolia-Russia, China-Central Asia-West Asia and China-Indochina Peninsula economic corridors by taking advantage of international transport routes, relying on core cities along the Belt and Road and using key economic industrial parks as cooperation platforms. At sea, the Initiative will focus on jointly building smooth, secure and efficient transport routes connecting major sea ports along the Belt and Road. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor are closely related to the Belt and Road Initiative, and therefore require closer cooperation and greater progress. 1.4 Policy The co-construction of B&R Initiative is aimed at promoting the flow of economic factors, the efficiency of resource distribution, market convergence, coordination of economic policies along the line, the regional cooperation in wider range, higher level, in order to create an open, inclusive, balanced regional economic cooperation framework. 1.4.1 Opening-up China's economy is closely connected with the world economy. China will stay committed to the basic policy of opening-up, build a new pattern of all-around opening-up, and integrate itself deeper into the world economic system. The Initiative will enable China to further expand and deepen its opening-up, and to strengthen its mutually beneficial cooperation with countries in Asia, Europe and Africa and the rest of the world. In advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, China will fully leverage the comparative advantages of its various regions, adopt a proactive strategy of further opening-up, strengthen interaction and cooperation among the eastern, western and central regions, and comprehensively improve the openness of 11 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES the Chinese economy. Figure 1.14 Different irections of opening-up 1.4.2 New Eurasian Continental Bridge Facilities connectivity is a priority area for implementing the Initiative. On the basis of respecting each other's sovereignty and security concerns, countries along the Belt and Road should improve the connectivity of their infrastructure construction plans and technical standard systems, jointly push forward the construction of international trunk passageways, and form an infrastructure network connecting all sub-regions in Asia, and between Asia, Europe and Africa step by step. At the same time, efforts should be made to promote green and low-carbon infrastructure construction and operation management, taking into full account the impact of climate change on the construction. Thus, the New Eurasian Continental Bridge emerged as the times require. 12 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES Figure 1.15 Map of midline for Eurasia Land Bridge New Eurasian Continental Bridge, also known as "the Second Eurasian Continental Bridge", is from Lianyungang (in Jiangsu Province) to Rotterdam. International railway transportation route in China consists of the Longhai Railway and Lanzhou Xinjiang Railway. The transcontinental railway will pass through Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Gansu, Shaanxi, Qinghai and Xinjiang, to the border of China and Kazakhstan-Alataw Pass. After abroad, New Eurasian Continental Bridge can reach the Rotterdam ports in Holland by 3 routes. The midline integrates with the Russian railway station, via Smolensk, Brest, Warsaw and Berlin, finally reaching the Rotterdam port. It is the midline that would go through more than 30 countries or regions in the world, total length of which is 10900 kilometers. 1.4.3 Northwestern and northeastern regions When it comes to the northwestern and northeastern regions, we should make good use of Xinjiang's geographic advantages and its role as a window of westward opening-up to deepen communication and cooperation with Central, South and West Asian countries, make it a key transportation, trade, logistics, culture, science and education center, and a core area on the Silk Road Economic Belt. 13 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES We should give full scope to the economic and cultural strengths of Shaanxi and Gansu provinces and the ethnic and cultural advantages of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region and Qinghai province, build Xi'an into a new focus of reform and opening-up in China's interior, speed up the development and opening-up of cities such as Lanzhou and Xining, and advance the building of the Ningxia Inland Opening-up Pilot Economic Zone with the goal of creating strategic channels, trade and logistics hubs and key bases for industrial and cultural exchanges opening to Central, South and West Asian countries. We should give full play to Inner Mongolia's proximity to Mongolia and Russia, improve the railway links connecting Heilongjiang province with Russia and the regional railway network, strengthen cooperation between China's Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces and Russia's Far East region on sea-land multimodal transport, and advance the construction of an Eurasian high-speed transport corridor linking Beijing and Moscow with the goal of building key windows opening to the north. As a result, the aim of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia and Qinghai is to form the channels to Mid Asia, South Asia and West Asia, the hub of trade and logistic, the exchange base of cultural. 1.4.4 Guanzhong - Hosi corridor – Tianshan corridor China and the five Central Asian countries are planning to link a new Eurasia Land Bridge, which, known as the modern Silk Road, will connect Europe and Asia. It is the pass of famous "Silk Road" in the world that communicates the east and the west, now it becomes the only access to the second "Eurasia Land Bridge ". 14 a CHAPTER 1. CHINA-PROPOSED BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVES Figure 1.16 corridor The Midline of the Eurasia Land Bridge is Lianyungang-Zhengzhou-Xi'an– Lanzhou–Xinjian–Central Asia–Europe. By bringing the comprehensive economic and cultural superiority of Shaanxi and Gansu, the ethnic and culture superiority of Ningxia and Qinghai, Xi’an is developing as a superstar of inland. This area is becoming the hub of commerce and logistics and the culture exchange base for Central Asia, Southern Asia, and Western Asia, by accelerating the reform and opening-up of Lanzhou and Xining, promoting the construction of inland open economy test area in Ningxia. 15 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD CHAPTER 2. Silk Road 2.1 History of Silk Road 2.1.1 The origin: Jade Road (15th century BC) In the Nile Valley, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley and the north of the Yellow River basin, there is a disconnected route called grass road, made up by several small commercial routes, which have been certified by archaeological discoveries. It is the initial embryo of the Silk Road. However, early Silk Road is not for the silk trade, but for the jade. Around the15th century BC, Chinese merchants had come in and go out the edge of Taklimakan desert, to buy the Hetian jade Produced in Xinjiang (Sinkiang), in the meanwhile, to sell marine products like Sea Shells. In this way, they made small business with people in central Asia. They started from Kunlun Mountains, stretching on both sides to transport the jade to the far-away places. The east route went through Gansu, Ningxia, Shanxi, until Henan, while the west went through Uzbekistan, till Europe and Asia countries along Mediterranean coast. That is the Jade road, which has a history of more than six thousand years. And it was the first communication between the east and west. Jade Gate Pass, one of the west gates during the Han Dynasty, exactly name after the Jade Road. "Why complain Qiangdi willow, not spring of Yumen Pass," Tang Dynasty poet Wang Huan-the first of this "Liangzhou words," Song for thousands of years now. According to historical records, as well as geographical and cultural research made by archaeologists at home and abroad, the Hetian Jade have went through Hosi corridor, gradually transferring east. Until 13 BC, Hetian 16 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD Jade arrived in Yin capital (modern Anyang in Henan province), becoming the most precious and delicate royal jade. The Jade Road’s west routes have two choices: the south starts from Hetian, through Cele, Yutian, Minfeng, Qiemo, Ruoqiang, Milan, Lop Nor (nuclear testing site in Xinjiang), Loulan till Dunhuang; the north way begins from Hetian, going through Yecheng, Shache (a county in Xinjiang), Yingjisha County, Kashgar, Kuqa, Aksu, Luntai, Korla(a county in Xinjiang), Turfan, ending in Dunhuang. After joining together, these two routes continue going east through Anxi and Jade Gate Pass, spreading to Anyang City, south of Shanxi, or west of Henan. Figure 2.1 Jade Road The Yurungkash River, also called White Jade Rive, carries jade down from the Kunlun mountains and into the Taklamakan desert. 17 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD Figure 2.2 Baiyu River Figure 2.3 Chinese painting, Baiyu River in the Ming Dynasty, 5 5 Chinese scientist Song Yingxing in the process of" Heavenly Creations" 18 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD 2.1.2 The prelude: Persian Royal Road (5th century BC) The Persian Royal Road, which was established during the Achaemenid Empire (500BC - 330 BC), would come to serve as one of the main arteries of the Silk Road. Under the control of Darius I (521BC - 485BC), who was the leader of Persia, Egypt, Babylon, and India, expending and sprawling Persian had established imperial power in the region of central and west Asia. Based on historical records, Darius I liked fresh fish from Aegean Sea and water from his hometown Parthia, so The Persian Royal Road appeared. The Persian Royal Road which was only used by the royal family, ran from Susa, in north Persia (modern Iran) to the Mediterranean Sea in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and featured postal stations along the route with fresh horses for envoys to quickly deliver messages throughout the empire. Herodotus, writing of the speed and efficiency of the Persian messengers, stated that “there is nothing in the world that travels faster than these Persian couriers. Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor darkness of night prevents these couriers from completing their designated stages with utmost speed". The Persians maintained the Royal Road carefully and, in time, expanded it through smaller side roads. These paths eventually crossed down into the Indian sub-continent, across Mesopotamia, and over into Egypt. After that, his successor Ptolemy I Soter finally controlled Egypt in 323BC. Greeks began to promote business between Asia Minor, India, and East Africa, by the open ports occupied by Greek. After Alexander the Great conquered the Persians, he established the city of Alexandria Eschate in 339 BC in the Fergana Valley of Neb (modern Tajikistan). Leaving behind his wounded veterans in the city, Alexander moved on. In time, these Macedonian warriors intermarried with the indigenous 19 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD populace creating the Greco-Bactrian culture which flourished under the Seleucid Empire following Alexander’s death. Under the Greco-Bactrian king Euthydemus I (260BC - 195 BC) the Greco-Bactrians had extended their holdings. According to the Greek historian Strabo (63AD - 24 AD), the Greeks “extended their empire as far as the Seres” (xi.ii.i). `Seres’ was the name by which the Greeks and Romans knew China, meaning `the land where silk came from’. It is thought, then, that the first contact between China and the west came around the year 200 BC. 2.1.3 Silk Road timeline From 200 BC up to the 14th century AD, the Silk Road was a popular social system that had a profound impact on world history. Figure 2.4 Silk Road Timeline 6 6 From the book “The Silk Road: A New History”, Valerie Hansen, Oxford University Press, 2012 20 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD 2.1.4 The development of Silk Road Two thousand years ago, two great things happened respectively in the East and the West, which had a significant impact on the Silk Road. The east is the Han court sent Zhang Qian to the Western Region, while the west is Alexander's eastward expedition and the rise of the Roman Empire. 2.1.4.1 On the East After Wen-Jing, Former Han dynasty in the east witnessed flourishing and prosperity. The Han Dynasty was regularly harassed by the nomadic tribes of the Xiongnu (Huns) on their northern and western borders. Emperor Wudi plan to negotiate with the regimes in the western regions for help in defeating Xiongnu, so he sent Zhang Qian to mission to Yuezhi expelled from homeland by Modun chief. As a result, In the year of 138 BC, General Zhang Qian with a caravan of 100 men set out the first travel from Chang'an, the capital of Han Dynasty, to the far West of the area beyond the Great Wall. It was first traveled by the adventure of Zhang Qian started the journey to the far West for the political contact with Yuezhi, a nomadic tribe, but he was caught by Xiongnu soon. After more than 10 years, they escaped from captivity. Then they went on their adventure, arrived in Dayuan (modern Fergana), Sogdiana (modern Samarkand), Yuezhi (in the central Asia), Balkh (around Afghanistan and Pakistan). Zhang Qian’s expedition led him into contact with many different cultures and civilizations in central Asia. 21 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD Figure 2.5 The travel of Zhang Qian to the West 7 Finally in 128 BC, Zhang Qian had reached the destination, Yuezhi. However, he was surprised that Yuezhi was living in peace and well settled in the various oases of Central Asia and no longer interested in taking their revenge on the Xiongnu. Without the succeeding in interesting the Yuezhi in fighting the Xiongnu, Zhang Qian set off on the return journey via southern Silk Road. He was once captured by Tibetan tribes allied with Xiongnu for a year and escaped in 125 BC in returning his way back to China. Of the original party only he and another company completed the 13 years journey - the first land route between East and West that would eventually link Imperial China with Imperial Rome. In the year of 126 BC, Zhang Qian came back to Chang’an, only with one servant. The diplomatic stalemate resulting from Zhang Qian's mission had some important consequences, as much political and military as commercial. Zhang 7 details of mural from cave 323, 618-712 CE, Dunhuang frescoes 22 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD Qian reported on some kingdoms in the West Regions, delighting Emperor Han Wudi with detailed accounts of the previously unknown kingdoms of Ferghana, Samarkand, Bokhara and others in what are now the former Soviet Union, Pakistan and Persia as well as the city of Li Kun, Rome, with their special products. These fascinating prices form the many Kingdoms of West tempted Emperor Wudi to dispatch successive missions to develop a further more political contact led by Zhang Qian in 119 BC. They started to make official visits once again with west countries, carrying with tens of millions of gold, silk, Cattle and sheep. Hence, the Silk Road generally formed. The mission group from China later returned with foreign products, for instances, Ferghana horses, furs and so on. In 60BC, the Western Regions Frontier Command was established, which pushed the Silk Road into a flourishing era. 2.1.4.2 On the West BC336, Alexander the Great conquered the Greek and ruled it. Then he continued his conquest towards the east. When the powerful Persian army was destroyed, he captured most of India. He found that silk was used, by the Persian court and its king, Darius III. After Alexander the Great’s death, the lands were divided into several countries by his military officers. Between 171-138BC, Mithridates I of Parthia campaigned to expand and consolidate his kingdom in Mesopotamia. The Seleucid King Antiochus VII Sidetes (138-129 BC) opposed this expansion and, also wishing revenge for the death of his brother, Demetrius, waged war against the Parthian forces of Phrates II, Mithridates successor. With the defeat of Antiochus, Mesopotamia came under Parthian rule and, with it, came control of the Silk Road. The Parthians then became the central intermediaries between China and the west. 23 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD Figure 2.6 Menade, dressed in silk coat 8 After Roman conquered Egypt in 30BC, thanks to the effort which China had made to expand trade towards the west, there was a boom in the communication and international trade between India, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, China, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Numerous novelties, technologies and exchange of ideas, back and forth, spread through the Silk Road among countries. The trade between the continents became well-regulated and well-organized. Roman joined in this commercial road soon. Alexander the Great expansion into Central Asia stopped far short of Xiongnu region resulted in Romans appear to have gained little knowledge of the Seres, Chinese. Little by little, the demands of eastern precious goods from the West were grown rapidly. 8 Museum of Naples, Italy 24 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD 2.1.4.3 The Silk Road While many different kinds of merchandise traveled along the Silk Road, the name comes from the popularity of Chinese silk with the west, especially with Rome. The Silk Road routes stretched from China through India, Asia Minor, up throughout Mesopotamia, to Egypt, the African continent, Greece, Rome, and Britain. The northern Mesopotamian region (present day Iran) became China’s closest partner in trade, as part of the Parthian Empire, initiating important cultural exchanges. Paper, which had been invented by the Chinese during the Han Dynasty, and gunpowder, also a Chinese invention, had a much greater impact on culture than did silk. The rich spices of the east, also, contributed more than the fashion which grew up from the silk industry. Even so, by the time of the Roman Emperor Augustus (27BC – 14AD) trade between China and the west was firmly established and silk was the most sought after commodity in Egypt, Greece, and, especially, in Rome. From 100AD, Romans started to have an enthusiasm towards silk, which was passed on from Parthians. At the same time, the kingdoms in Central Asia sent their own emissaries to Chang'an, China. The Silk Road is a route in the vast dessert, in series, linking oases one by one. 25 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD Figure 2.7 Map of ancient Silk Road during Later Han (25-220AD) Figure 2.8 Zoom in(main routes, other routes, important trading center) 2.1.5 The prosperity of the Silk Road Li Yuan (566–635AD) founded the Tang Dynasty after the fall of the Sui Dynasty(581 -618AD). The Tang Dynasty is commonly regarded as the golden age of Chinese civilization. China’s achievements during the Tang Dynasty were exemplary, thus the Tang Dynasty is often considered by historians as the greatest dynasty in ancient China. 26 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD Tang Dynasty (618-907AD) had a vast territory and a large population. With the establishment of the four Duhu, as well as the operations of the frontier junctions, the network of the Silk Road was well protected and managed, thus soon flourished during the Tang Dynasty. On the other side of Silk Road, after Aurelius, silk remained popular, though increasingly expensive, until the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD. Rome was survived by its eastern half which came to be known as the Byzantine Empire and which carried on the Roman infatuation with silk. During the medieval history, ‘Fulin’ is the old name of Byzantine Empire in ancient Chinese book. But with the opening of Silk Road, Chinese regarded Roma Empire the same as Tang that enjoyed a high level of civilization. As a result, Byzantine Empire was called ‘Da Qin’ at that time. During the centuries in the medieval history, Byzantine Empire was always the most prosperous in economy among the European countries. Its capital city, Constantinople (modern Istanbul), which lies at the crossing of Europe, Asia, and Africa, is the meeting point of merchant ship around the world. Thus, it became the end of Silk Road, and its highly developed international transit trade had brought local people huge wealth. Cities such as Thessaloniki, Trebizond, Antioch, and Alexander, served as important ports for trade, importing silk, fur, food, valuable timber, aroma materials, dyestuff, ivory, jewelry, and exporting glass, mosaic paintings, fabrics and brocade, weapons, wine, gold coin and silver coin, jewelry, and some art-ware. 27 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD Figure 2.9 Figure 2.10 Silk road merchants The largest territory Controlled by the Byzantine Empire covers an area of 270 square kilometers (Justinian I), while the population peak value is 34 million (4th century AD). Empire's economy based on agriculture, and had developed commerce and handicraft industry. The majority income of the Byzantine Empire came from tariff and trade taxes. Along the network of routes disease traveled also, as evidenced in the spread of the bubonic plague of 542AD which is thought to have arrived in Constantinople by way of the Silk Road and which decimated the Byzantine Empire. 28 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD Figure 2.11 Map of ancient Silk Road during Tang (618AD – 907AD) Figure 2.12 Zoom in(main routes, other routes, important trading center) However, later in 12th century, the entire communities and active oasis towns along the Silk Road were disappearing in the space, as the glacier-fed streams ran try. As well, of course, the downfall of Tang Dynasty led to political chaos and an unstable economy less able to support foreign imports. During the middle period of Tang Dynasty, because of the continuous wars, Tang gave up the right to manage the Silk Road. Central Asia was in the hand of Islam, and the Silk Road was blocked up. Although recovered afterwards, it 29 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD could not compare with the previous one. On the other hand, the economic center transferred to southward. As the coastal harbor developed, sea trade became popular. Silk Road on the sea gradually took place of the land silk road. At the same time, China's economic center moved to the south. With the development of coastal ports, overseas trade in the southeast had become very active. Tang empire set up the bureau for foreign shipping in Guangzhou in Xianqing sixth year (661AD). Guangzhou became an important port of China's overseas trade. 2.1.6 The decline of the Silk Road The Chinese had very purposefully kept the origin of silk a secret and, once it was out, carefully guarded their silk worms and their process of harvesting the silk. The Byzantine emperor Justinian (527- 565 AD), tired of paying the exorbitant prices the Chinese demanded for silk, sent two emissaries, disguised as monks, to China to steal silk worms and smuggle them back to the west. The plan was successful and initiated the Byzantine silk industry. When the Byzantine Empire fell to the Turks in 1453 AD, the Ottoman Empire closed the Silk Road and cut all ties with the west. After Yuan Dynasty, little by little, Silk Road was underappreciated, which indirectly stimulated the European sea power. After the publication of Marco Polo's travel notes, China and Asia became a prosperous wealthy civilization country that many Europeans were yearning for. Spain and Portugal began to try to bypass the Mediterranean route and old Silk Road controlled by Italy and Turkey to connect China in order to get more profits than trade along the Silk Road. Some countries also hoped to spread their religions to the East. Developing during Tang Dynasty, Quanzhou continued to thrive to be the largest oriental bay in the east. 30 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD Foreign businessmen gathered in Guangzhou port, Fan Corner was set up for foreign businessmen to settle down. Businessmen came from all over the world by sea to buy Chinese silk, and at the same time bring the foreign goods to China. The maritime Silk Road was developed and prosperous thrived from the late-Tang Dynasty to Yuan Dynasty. 2.1.7 Ending and reverb In the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), Over 600 years ago, Admiral Zheng He, the famous Chinese navigator, took seven voyages across the ocean to explore the outside world, reached East Africa 4 times. These voyages left an important influence on the culture and politics of those nations for years on. In the 28 years of his voyages, it was recorded that China received 318 visits by envoys from across Asia and Africa, or fifteen visits a year on average. Figure 2.13 Route of Zheng He’s voyage Zheng He's voyage was a political, economic and diplomatic activity which was unprecedented and transnational. It was a brilliant maritime expedition surprising the entire world. Shipping fleet had reached as far as the east coast of Africa and the red sea, the trade between Chinese and western were in its 31 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD prosperity at that time. However, later on, the ocean voyages undertaken by Zheng He in the Yongle and Xuande periods became the swan song. After that, only petty dealers went trafficking abroad. Commodities such as munitions, rice, bean, ironware, raw silk, silks and satins, horses and books are prohibited to export. Moreover, the Ming Dynasty shut China off from the outside world, ending the centuries-old exchange of culture and religion in East and West. Guangzhou was always the biggest commercial port. During Ming and Qing Dynasty, due to the ban on maritime trade, Guangzhou became the only harbor open to the outside world. Because of the seclusion policy, the transportation along Silk Road was shrinking. The closing of the Silk Road forced merchants to take to the sea to ply their trade, thus initiating the Age of Discovery (1453-1660 AD) which led to world-wide interaction and the beginnings of a global community. In 1492, one of Columbus targets for voyage was to arrive in China, and to create another trade route better than the Silk Road. However, in his disappointment, he leaded Europe to discover the new continent of America. The explorers after Columbus opened the Colonial era of the new world in America. After the 17th century, Netherland and the United Kingdom expanded their forces in Afica, America and South Pacific. In the early 19th century, even though European powers had spread all over the ocean, China was still regarded as the most prosperous and ancient civilization, their desirable land. Some scholars considered it as the spiritual influence of Silk Road in the history of communication between east and west, which was also the reason why the west thought that doing business with China could bring them enormous profit, during the recent 200 years.. 32 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD Figure 2.14 Marine Silk Road in Qing After Qing Dynasty (1636—1912AD), China closed its doors. Only Guangzhou could receive foreign business men, and marine Silk Road was blocked. 2.2 Geometry of Silk Road In the conventional sense, the Silk Road passed through Dunhuang, and ends in Alexandria, the important port of Egypt. Skirting the edges of the harsh and inhospitable Taklimakan desert, the Silk Road actually had several different branches, each passing through different oases. Generally speaking, the Silk Road starts from central China (Chang’an, Luoyang centered), heading westwards till Dunhuang, then split into two routes at Sinkiang (south Xinjiang), one following the southern Tianshan piedmont (so-called north Silk Road), the other following the north foot of Pamirs-West Kunlun Shan (so-called south Silk Road), both of which bypass around Lop Nor and the edge of Taklimakan desert. After going through northern Turpan and Kuq, as well as southern oasis cities like Loulan, Khotan, the two routes meet at Kashgar, the westernmost part of Xinjiang. As the road goes on westward, after crossing Pamirs Plateau, once again, it divides into 33 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD two: from the northwest, northern route entering into the Samarkand and Sogdiana region in central Asia, while from the southwest, southern route getting into central Afghanistan, India, and northern Pakistan. After interchanged in Iran, Silk Road continues westwards. Within Iraq, it crosses over Tigris River and Euphrates River, into its western gate, Dura–Europos. After that, it keeps on westwards, and arrived in Palmyra (within the borders of Syria), which is the most crucial transit area for the trade at the west end of Silk Road. Westwards, it goes across Mediterranean Sea, getting to Roma; northwards, across Asia Minor, it arrived at Antioch or Istanbul in Turkey. Southwards, it reached Alexandria port in Egypt. So far, the Silk Road stretching thousands of miles comes to an end. Figure 2.15 Silk Road map 2.3 Impact and important role (commodity, culture, religion) During this period, it is the first time that existed regional empires contemporaneously throughout the human history, and came the age of first globalization. The so-called “Silk Road” is the main road of the cultural communication. In between, there are people like ambassadors, soldiers, merchants, the monks and priests, along with commodities like fabric from the 34 a CHAPTER 2.SILK ROAD west, silk from China, spice from India, gold vessels from Persia, as well as the concepts and faith like Buddhism. After that, any narratives about ancient civilization of the world cannot make a detour round the Silk Road. The greatest value of the Silk Road was the exchange of culture. Art, religion, philosophy, technology, language, science, architecture, and every other element of civilization was exchanged through the Silk Road along with the commercial goods the merchants carried from country to country. Buddhism spread from India to China, Korea and Japan; Islam from the Middle East to Southeast Asia and Christianity to the Far East from Europe. Figure 2.16 Culture systems in the world 35 a CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY CHAPTER 3. Six sections of Silk Road and its center city Based on history analysis, from my point of view, the whole Silk Road can be very broadly divided into six sections in geometry way from east to west to reflect the diverse geographical zones and differing cultural and political regimes that they traversed. Each of the section has a center city. In history, these center cities are not only vital important in geometry, but also the center of prosperous economy, where have breed numerous wonderful culture and art in the world. From the east to the west, they are Central China, centered on Luoyang and Xi’an (Chang’an); Hosi corridor, centered on Dunhuang; south Xinjiang, Kashgar; Central Asia, centered on Samakand; Iran, centered on Hamadan; and Turkey, centered on Istanbul. In this chapter, I will make a brief introduction about the history of the six center cities, as well as their relationships with Silk Road. Figure 3.1 Six sections and center city 36 a CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY Among the sections above, as one part of the Silk Road on the World Heritage List, Hosi corridor centered on Dunhuang has the unique geographical location and possessed the largest possibility of development and vitalization due to economic policy and its profound and splendid history. As a consequence, in the next chapter I will take it as a perfect case to have a deeper study on Hosi corridor and its peripheral areas in detail, and have several proposals on it in the last chapter. 3.1 Luoyang and Chang’an (Xi’an), central cities of Central China In Chinese history, Chang’an and Luoyang two most famous ancient capitals, called “two capitals”, both of which are the capitals for more than 10 dynasties. The advantage of Chang’an is the landform, while the advantage of Luoyang is the convenient transportation. Typical dynasties which chose Chang’an as capital, such as the Western Han Dynasty and Tang Dynasty, became the most brilliant and influential dynasties in history. Chang’an located in the front line of the national wars with prairie nationalities. Choosing Chang’an as capital is a symbol for outgoing dynasties. Luoyang located in the middle of Central Plains. If Choosing Luoyang as capital, it is easy to control the eastern plains and the different governors. Luoyang and Chang’an are two center cities in Central China, which starts in Chang’an in the middle reaches of the Yellow River. The most easterly section has routes across Luoyang and Guanzhong basins and the fertile lands of the Loess Plateaux of Shaanxi and Gansu Provinces 3.1.1 Luoyang Situated on the central plain of China, Luoyang is one of the cradles of 37 a CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY Chinese civilization, and is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. Figure 3.2 Recovering of Luoyang residential area in Sui and Tang dynasties 9 In the later Han Dynasty, the Silk Road stating with Luoyang, could lead to eastern Mediterranean coast. In 166 AD, the first Roman mission, sent by "the king of Da Qin (the Roman Empire), Andun" 10, reached Luoyang after arriving by sea in Rinan Commandery in what is now central Vietnam. In 605 AD, Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty chose Luoyang as "east capital", made the command of digging the Great Canal, which was listed on the World Heritage List in 2014. Once in history,Luoyang was the center of politics ,economy and culture, and traffic hub leading in all directions. 9 10 From the book “Continuation” Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, r. 161-180 AD 38 a CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY Figure 3.3 Map of the Great canal in Sui and Tang dynasties 3.1.2 Chang’an Located very close to Luoyang, Chang'an is another an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an had been settled since the Neolithic times. For more than 1100 years, it had been the center of politics, economy and culture. In 202 BC, Emperor Liu Bang (Wudi) took the power in Chang’an. After opening the Silk Road, Chang’an became the center of Eastern civilization and the point of departure of the famous Silk Road. During the Tang dynasty (618–907AD), Chang'an was, along with Constantinople (Istanbul) and Baghdad, one of the largest cities in the world. It was a cosmopolitan urban center with considerable foreign populations from other parts of Asia and beyond. 39 a CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY Figure 3.4 Model of ancient Chang’an 11 3.2 Dunhuang, central city of Hosi corridor Dunhuang is situated in a rich oasis containing Crescent Lake and Mingsha Shan (meaning "Singing-Sand Mountain"). Figure 3.5 Crescent Lake in Mingsha Mountain Figure 3.6 Mingsha Shan 11 From Xi'an Museum 40 a CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY Dunhuang commands a strategic position at the crossroads of the ancient Southern Silk Route and the main road leading from India via Lhasa to Mongolia and Southern Siberia, as well as controlling the entrance to the narrow Hosi Corridor, which led straight to the heart of the north Chinese plains, the ancient capitals of Chang'an (Xi'an) and Luoyang. In later centuries, during the Sui and Tang dynasties, it was a major point of communication between ancient China and Central Asia and a major hub of commerce of the Silk Road. 3.3 Kashgar, central city of south Xinjiang Kashgar is an oasis city, located near the border with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It has a history of over 2,000 years and served as a trading post and strategically important city on the Silk Road between China, the Middle East, and Europe. Kashgar is part of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. Located historically at the convergence point of widely varying cultures and empires, Kashgar has been under the rule of the Chinese, Turkic, Mongol, Persian, and Tibetan empires. Figure 3.7 Kashgar dessert 41 a CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY Figure 3.8 Kashgar ancient city The book “the travels of Marco Polo” of Yuan Dynasty described the Kashgar as Kachgar. 3.4 Samarkand, central city of Central Asia Samarkand is one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia, prospering from its central location on the trade route on the Silk Road between China and the Mediterranean. The city is also famous for being an Islamic center for scholarly study. It was the second-largest city in Uzbekistan and the capital of Samarqand Regions. It is now the nation's third largest, after fast-growing Namangan in the Ferghana Valley. In the 14th century it became the capital of the empire of Timur (Tamerlane) and is the site of his mausoleum (the Gur-e Amir). The Bibi-Khanym Mosque (a modern replica) remains one of the city's most notable landmarks. The Registan was the ancient center of the city. The city has carefully preserved the traditions of ancient crafts: embroidery, gold embroidery, silk weaving, engraving on copper, ceramics, carving and painting on wood. 42 a CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY Figure 3.9 Samarkand 12 Figure 3.10 Bazaar in Samarkand 13 In 2001, UNESCO added the city to its World Heritage List as “Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures”. 3.5 Hamadan, central city of Iran Hamadan is believed to be among the oldest Iranian cities and one of the oldest in the world. It is possible that it was occupied by the Assyrians in 1100 BC; the Ancient Greek historian, Herodotus, states that it was the capital of the Medes, around 700BC. 12 By Richard-Karl Karlovitch Zommer 13 By Georgy Gabashvili, 43 a CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY Figure 3.11 the city of hamadan the ancient Ekbatana Figure 3.12 Hamadan, Persia. Original wood engraving drawn 14 In Iranian, Hamadan means the meeting place. Because Hamadan is not only the political center of the Medes Empire, but also the center of vital communication line of ancient Iran, maintaining the prosperity of international trade between east and west. 14 By Taylor, engraved by Kohl. 1884. Good condition. Hand-coloured. 18,5x13cm. Matted. 44 a CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY Figure 3.13 16th century map of Hamedan 15 After Empire of the Medes, Hamadan became one of the four biggest cities of Ancient Persian Empire. During the Parthian Empire, once it was the capital city and the vital city for the mid Silk Road. Hamadan has been prosperous for more than two thousand seven hundred years. Until today, it is the most important Iran city, and the center of agricultural and animal husbandry production in Iran. 3.6 Constantinople (Istanbul), central city of Turkey Constantinople was the capital city of the Roman/Byzantine (330–1204 AD and 1261–1453AD), the Latin (1204–1261AD), and the Ottoman (1453– 1924AD) empires. It was reinaugurated in 324AD at ancient Byzantium, as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine the Great, after whom it was named, and dedicated on May 11st, 330. 15 By Iran Matrakçı Nasuh 45 a CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY Figure 3.14 Ottoman Empire at fall of Constantinople, 1453 Figure 3.15 Map of Constantinople In the 12th century, the city was the largest and wealthiest European city and it was instrumental in the advancement of Christianity during Roman and Byzantine times. 46 a CHAPTER 3. SIX SECTIONS OF SILK ROAD AND ITS CENTER CITY Figure 3.16 Constantinople, 1857 The Silk Road, both on the land and on the sea, had brought Byzantine Empire great fortune. Constantinople was at the crossing of several trade routes, holding the major crossroad of east-west traffic bridge and south-north channel. From 5 century till 15 century, it had been the largest commercial and shipping center. Marx called it a golden bridge between the east and west. Businessmen treat the city as a transfer station, acting as middlemen in the west-east trade, to get fat profits. 47 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS CHAPTER 4. Hosi corridor and its potentials Having a long history and brilliant culture, Hosi corridor is the vital road towards the west in mainland China. Starting from Lanzhou, going through Wushao Mountain, it is the moment to set foot on the Hosi corridor. Since it lies on the west of Yellow River, long and narrow like a corridor in the “valley” between mountains, it is named Hosi corridor. Running on the edge of the Qilian Mountains, with the Badain Jaran and Tengger deserts to the north, the routes cross the Shiyang, Black and Shule rivers formed by melted snow, until they reach Dunhuang. The Hosi corridor is the flat land some 900 kilometers in length, and between few kilometers to several hundred kilometers in width, that caravans had to cross to move from central China to the Tian-shan Mountains. Figure 4.1 loation of the Hosi corridor In 2014, as one of the four Tian-shan corridor, Hosi corridor was added to the World heritage List. Other 3 sections on the Tian-shan corridor is central China, North and South of Tian-shan Mountains, and the Zhetysu Region. 48 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.2 Four sections of Tian-shan corridor 16 The Tian-shan corridor is one section or corridor of this extensive overall Silk roads network. Extending across a distance of around 5,000km, it encompasses a complex of trade routes that developed to link Chang’an in central China with the heartland of Central Asia from the 2nd century BC when long-distance trade in high value goods, particularly silk, started to flourish between the Chinese and Roman Empires. 4.1 Analysis on Geography of Hosi Corridor 4.1.1 Physiographic feature From Wushao Mountain to the Jade Gate Pass (border between Gansu and Xinjiang), Hosi corridor is a long and narrow place in between two mountain ranges, north of which is Monts Qilian and Altun Mountains, while 16 From the UNESCO, Silk Roads _the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor_maps of inscribed property,2014 49 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS south mountains are Mazong Mountain, Heli shan, and Longshou Mountains. Its altitude is around 1000-1500 meters. With smooth flat landscape, sufficient light and water, Hosi corridor is an oasis famous for its good condition of agricultural Tractor-ploughing in the Gobi dessert. Known as “granary for the Northwest”, Hosi corridor is the main commodity grain base for the province and has a brilliant prospect for agriculture in the future. Figure 4.3 Relics of Jade Gate Pass Around the corridor, geographic types are various and complicated, the mountain land, plateau, plain, river valley, desert and gobi staggered distribute. The terrain is long and narrow, with tilt from southwest to northeast. The extremes of geography along the routes graphically illustrate the challenges of this long distance trade. The routes touch great rivers, alpine lakes, crusty salt flats, vast deserts, snow-capped mountains and ‘fecund’ prairies. The climate varies from extreme drought to semi-humid; while vegetation covers temperate forests, temperate deserts, temperate steppes, alpine steppes and oases. This spectacular landscape, with landform shaped by‘divine craftsmanship’ and documented over more than a thousand years, is the backdrop to the nominated sites. Given its scale, it is the wider setting in the widest sense of the word. 50 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.4 Mountain chain, Oasis and desert along the Hosi corridor On the north, it is called “Beishan mountains”, with the attitude between 1000 meters and 3600 meters. Since close to the Tengger desert and the Badain Jaran Desert, it is the typical scenic beyond the frontier, where the winds are blowing and sands are gusting. Figure 4.5 dessert and Gobi along the Hosi corridor The other side of the corridor is region of Qilian Mountains for more than 1000 kilometers long. Most of the region has a high attitude above 3500 meters. The mountains are covered with snow all the year round, and its glacier winding its way through the mountains. It is a natural reservoir which is solid for Hosi corridor. The vertical distribution of dessert, meadow, forest and ice is clear on the mountain. 51 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.6 Karst landform in Zhangye, and Qilian Mountains Oasis always appears at the places where water is ample. The Hosi Corridor oasis is also formed by the slush from Chilian Mountain, and has become the largest agricultural irrigation district. Figure 4.7 Oasis For example, Ejin Banner, a typical natural oasis in the desert area, provides a natural green defense for Hosi Corridor. 4.1.2 Administrative division When it comes to administrative division, Hosi corridor belongs to Gansu province, which located in the northwest of the country. Gansu lies between the Tibetan and Loess plateaus (Huangtu plateaus), and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east. The Yellow 52 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS River passes through the southern part of the province. Figure 4.8 Gansu Province Gansu has a population of 26 million (2014) and covers an area of 425,800 km²s. The capital city of Gansu is Lanzhou, located in the southeast part of the province. Besides, Lanzhou is the geometrical center of China. From southeast to northwest, Hosi corridor goes through five cities: Weiwu (Liangzhou), Zhagye (Ganzhou), Jinchang, Jiuquan (Suzhou), and ends near the Jade Gate Pass (Yumen Pass). Wuwei called Liangzhou in old times, a famous major crossroad on the Silk Road, which was one of the four counties in Hosi region. It enjoys a really great advantage of location. Jinchang is an industrial city, and a base producing Ni and Co in China. Zhangye City locates in the Hosi Corridor midsection, is typical arid area, has obvious view of oasis and desert, and exists of serious water resource shortage and soil salinization problems. Jiuquan District has relative favourable industrial foundation and rich agricultural, tourist and mineral resources. The city of Jiayuguan enjoys the highest urbanization. Jiayuguan Pass is 53 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS one of gateways for ancient Silk Road. The Great Wall begins in the east from the Shanghaiguan Pass and ends at the Jiayuguan Pass in the west. Figure 4.9 5 cities on Hosi corridor 4.1.3 Analysis of Significance and uniqueness of the geographical location From Chang’an (Xi’an) westwards along the Silk Road, after passing though Hosi Corridor to Dunhuang, the Silk Road only just starts to divide into north and south routes to avoid the Tibetan Plateau. Afterwards, it goes to central Asia, finally arriving in the west word. Hence, Hosi corridor becomes the key position on the ancient Silk Road, connecting material trade and culture exchange among Europe, Asia and Africa. Since ancient time, Hosi corridor has been a fertile land both for agriculture and animal husbandry. As a result, it was called “granary for northwest”. Due to its advantageous geographic location, it had always been a 54 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS battleground place of great military importance. Running along the "neck" of the Gansu province, Hosi corridor was an important strategic outpost and communications link. The corridor was also the important link and historical witness for both of the people. Hosi corridor is the important door for Qin, Han Dynasty and the other peoples, which bore the main task of both economic and cultural exchanges. Hosi Corridor is the main bridge to the west when China was prosperous. During Han, Wei, Sui, Tang, yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, Hosi Corridor had been the strategic sustentation of the whole northwest region. The link of nomads from north and south of the corridor could be cut off by occupying the Hosi Corridor, and then the vast area of northern and southern Mount Tianshan could be controlled. The relics of ancient castles located along the Hosi Corridor are the most powerful evidences or the development and operation of the Dynasties in the Central Plains. 4.2 History Hosi corridor encompassed numerous different nationalities within the Han, Xianbei and Mongolian empires and nation states, including Han, Cao Wei, Western Jin, Western Qin, Northern Wei, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Xianbei and Mongolian peoples. In ancient times, it was an important strategic outpost and communications link, as the Hosi corridor runs along the "neck" of the Gansu province. During the countries of East Zhou (the Spring and Autumn 770-256BC), it was occupied by Xirong Nationalit, and during the period of the former Qin Dynasty (the Warring States), it was invaded by Rouzhi. After that, Xiongnu conquered it and built their city. 55 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS The economic and religious exchange road appeared in 1 BC, the road was blocked by Hun later. Emperor Wu of Han sent General Li Guang, Wei Qing, Huo Qubing to open up the road which later called the Silk Road. Then the Emperor set up four counties- Wuwei County, Zhangye County, Jiuquan County and Dunhuang County. Hosi Corridor was quite famous in Chinese history. This area was key routes of the Chinese Buddhism, the key of Silk Road. Four counties set here for station troops and wasteland reclamation. During the Han Dynasty, it was the northwest military center. Because of the mountain barrier, many famous litterateurs lived here to escape from the northern war. This area has a long culture and history, hundreds of places of historic interest and scenic beauty illuminating as heavenly Galaxy. 4.3 Once-proud Economy The economic prosperity of Hosi Corridor in old days was only after Changan and Jervois (Suzhou and Hangzhou). The ancient merchants backwards and forwards on the Corridor were mainly from Huizhou, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Persia. The road of tea started from Mount Wuyi and Mount Huang, via Chang’an and Lanzhou into Hosi Corridor, then passed through Xinjiang and Middle East arriving in the Mediterranean. While the Silk Road started from Jervois, via Tianshui and Lanzhou into Hosi Corridor as well, and then passed through Xinjiang and the Middle East reaching the Mediterranean. Besides, medicinal materials, leather, spice, jewelry and gem were all resold and exchanged on the Hosi corridor. Only after that, could the goods get to Chang’an. At that time, with busy and various business all over the world, the economy of Hosi corridor developed, prospered, and in its full flourish. Once, Hosi corridor has been the subsidiary financial center, as well as the biggest 56 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS foreign trade center, which was closest to Chang’an. 4.4 Culture and religion diversity analysis Ancient Silk Road originated from Xi’an, passing through Hosi corridor, into Xinjiang by Yang guan and Yumen guan (Jade gate Pass) separately. Hence, Hosi corridor became the key part for ancient Silk Road, connecting trade and cultural exchange among Europe, Asia and Africa. The collisions between western and eastern cultures stimulated sparkles, settling down magnificent history and culture. Hosi Corridor is the famous hub of communications in history, and the center of various nationalities, and is characterized by cultural border. “As we know, there are only four historical, self-contained and far-reaching culture systems, which are China, India, Greek, and Islam. And they have only one mixing spot: Hosi corridor and Xingjiang region.” 17 As a consequence, the Hosi Corridor is the important region in which the multi-nationality and the multi-culture are spread in our country in the ancient time. 4.4.1 Multi-ethnic coexistence and inhabitant polytropism The Sui and Tang Dynasties is the second peak period of China's feudal society. Especially in the early stage of Tang Dynasty, the Han Chinese culture of the Central Plains once again occupied the mainstream culture of Hosi Corridor. Because of the cultural policy of the Tang Dynasty, the Chinese culture, as mainstream, has formed a pattern of the common development with multi-national cultures. After the An Lushan Rebellion, Tibetan occupied area of Hosi Corridor and implemented the policy of national assimilation in Tibetan 17 Quote from Ji Xianlin 57 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS culture. Various nationalities have experienced the process of Tibetan culture including the Han nationality. Thus, the Tibet culture and Tibetan Buddhism took root in Hosi region. During the Song Dynasty, Dangxiang people deceloped in the northwest region and established the Western Xia Dynasty controlling the whole Hosi Corridor, and left a lot of relics of that period. Nowadays, Gansu has been a multi-ethnic province since ancient times, and all of the 56 ethnic groups of China can be found here. The total population of minorities is 2.199 million, accounting for 8.7% of the total population of the province. There are 16 ethnic minorities having a population of more than 1,000 people, including Han, Tibetan, Hui, Yugur, Tu and Mongolian, etc. Three unique ethnic minorities, Dongxiang, Yugur and Bao’an, only live in Gansu, enjoying their rich and special folk customs. 4.4.2 Multi-culture and cultural tolerance The glory of Hosi corridor started from former Han, lasting until the Republic of China. Pre-Qin period prevailed Majiayao culture, Qijia culture, then it turned to religious and national harmonization. What’s more, the corridor is the homeland for many emperors and senior generals, for instance, famous General Ma Chao from Western Liang, the royal Duans family of the Dali Kingdom, and Script-sage Zhangzhi. Hosi corridor is the exchange channel between ancient Chinese and Western culture, the key of the Silk Road connecting east and west civilization. The magnificent culture was formed in this area where four ancient civilizations intertwined. It includes the religious essence of ancient Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, Manicheism, Nestorianism, Zoroastrianism, preserved the languages and characters of ancient Han, Tibetan, Sanskrit, Uighur, Khotan, Sogdian, Western Xia and Tukhara. This corridor is the real world 58 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS cultural heritage. Figure 4.10 Part of the Dunhuang star chart with three sections of the sky along the equator ending with the circumpolar region (left). 18 Belonging to the Chinese cultural system in the ancient world, Hosi culture has cultural commonality with other region cultures such as Chu culture, Ba-Shu culture and Qi-Lu culture. On the one hand, Hosi culture has the same origin with others, that is continuous Chinese civilization that never had a break for thousands years. On the other hand, they have the containment to absorb other cultures as well as various tributaries. 4.4.3 Multi-religion and religious integration During the Western and Eastern Han, Buddhism, Taoism has appeared on the Hosi corridor. Hosi corridor once has been the center of Buddhism in northern part of China, where eminent monks and masters converged. Mahayana and Hinayana went through Hosi corridor, finally arrived in Chang’an. Four great translators of Sanskrit-transcription, Kumarajiva, Xuanzang, and Amoghavajra, had really deep and closed links with Hosi corridor. Besides Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism and Nestorianism 18 Credits British Library 59 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS arrived in China with the Silk Road as well, that many people had faith in. Moreover, along the branches of Silk Road, they spread to Japan, korea and other Asian countries. 0.10% 3.40% 0.40% 8.20% Non religious faiths 87.9% Buddhism 8.2% Islam 3.4% 87.90% Protestantism 0.4% Catholicim 0.1% Figure 4.11 Diagram of religion Nowadays, there are five kinds of religions in Gansu province, which are Islam, Buddhism, Catholicism, Christianity and Taoism. The population of Islam and Tibetan Buddhist are relatively larger than the other. The Islamic nation is mainly distributed in Dongxiang, Hui, Sala Baoan, and Kazak. While the Tibetan Buddhism nation is mainly Tibetan, Mongolia, Tu and Yugur. Catholic, Christian and Taoism believers are distributed in all ethnics, but in small number. 4.5 Analysis on the spread of Buddhism along Hosi corridor 4.5.1 Communication of Buddhism in the world Besides silk, paper and other goods, the Silk Road carried another commodity which was equally significant in world history. Along with trade and migration, the world's oldest international highway was the vehicle which spread Buddhism through Central Asia. Buddhists follow three main traditions; the Theravada or Southern tradition; the Mahayana or Northern tradition; and the Vajrayana Tibetan 60 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS tradition. Long ago, Buddhism began to spread southwards from its place of origin in Northern India to Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Indo-China and other South East Asian countries. It also moved Northwards through Kashmir Afghanistan along the ‘Silk road’ into the Himalayan kingdoms (Sikkim, Bhutan, and Nepal), Tibet, Mongolia and other parts of Central Asia, and also into China, and later Korea and Japan. Buddhism not only affected the lives and cultures on those regions but also left us with a world of wonders in arts and literature. This was a fortunate development because Buddhism had all but died out in India after the Muslim incursions of the eleventh Century CE. In more modern times, the spread of Communism has also virtually obliterated Buddhism from various other countries where it was once strongly established (e.g. China, Vietnam, Tibet, Mongolia etc.). Nowadays, there is a resurgence of Buddhism in these countries. Nowadays, however, Buddhism is attracting an increasing following in Europe and the Americas. In Asia, it is thriving in countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Korea and Japan. 61 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.12 Buddhism Spread routes With the Silk Road opened in the 200 BC, missionaries and pilgrims began to travel between China, Central Asia and India. This is probably the first time a Chinese heard about Buddhism. After a Buddhist community was established in Loyang, which is the capital, the Buddhist community grew continuously. They introduced the sacred books, texts and most importantly the examples of Buddhist art, never before seen in China. After Buddhism spread to China, it went through more than half a century development and become prosperous and spectacular until the Sui and Tang Dynasties period when it culminated. 4.5.2 Important role that Hosi corridor played for the communication of Buddhism At the beginning of the Later Han Dynasty, Buddhism was introduced into the Western Regions along the Silk Road, and spread to different west nations. There are still a lot of arguments about the time when Buddhism was 62 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS introduced into the Western Regions. However, the basic statement of domestic and international academia is that Buddhism was propagated into the Western Regions during 200-100BCE. Buddhism was introduced in western Khotan in 87BCE. After that, during 60-10BCE, it spread toward west and east, to cities on both north and south routes of the Silk Road, for instance, Karghalik, Kashgar, Aksu, Kuqa, and Loulan. The conversion to Buddhism had taken place among the Xiongnu at an early stage of Buddhism. Buddhism penetrated Hun, or Xiongnu (Early Hun), as early as the 200 BCE around Hosi corridor region. The Buddhism got spread by dictation, but the Chinese Buddhist Scripture didn't appear until the Eastern-Han Dynasty, when Xiongnu chief offered General Ho (Han) a golden statue called "Great Divinity". Figure 4.13 Silk Road spread through Hosi corridor 4.5.3 The pilgrimages of Xuanzang through Hosi corridor 63 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS While numerous pilgrims arrived China from the West, Chinese Buddhist pilgrims were sent to India during different times and the accounts which some of them have left of their travels in the Silk Road provide valuable evidence of the state of Buddhism in Central Asia and India from the 4th to the 7th centuries. Some of the more famous Chinese pilgrims were Fahsien (399 to 414), Xuanzang (629-645), and I-tsing (671-695). Xuanzang is famous for his seventeen-year overland journey to India. Concerned about the incomplete and misinterpreted nature of the Buddhist texts that had reached China, he followed the Silk Road in the 6th century (early Tang dynasty) to describe the interaction between China and India, and collect Buddhist scriptures from India. Figure 4.14 figure of Xuanzang19 Xuanzang set off in 627, travelled 25000 kilometers to explore Buddhist factions’ theories. He continued heading west though Hosi corridor, across Yumen Pass, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and finally ended in India, which is the center of Buddhism. After spending 17 years to learn all kinds of 19 Song Dynasty, collected in the National Museum in Tokyo, Japan 64 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS doctrines about Mahayana and Hinayana, he brought back 150 Buddha's relics, 7 Buddhist statues, and 657 theory scriptures. Figure 4.15 the travel of Xuanzang 20 After that, Xuanzang then took charge of the Ci'en Temple and did the translation of the scriptures there. Xuanzang built the pagoda in order to have a place for his Buddhist books. 20 The Silk Road in World History, Xinru Liu, 2010, Oxford University Press, USA 65 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.16 Region of Buddhist Monasteries at the time of Xuanzang 21 4.6 Analysis of Heritage sites along the Hosi corridor There are a great many historical sites mainly in the Gobi Desert and in oases north of the Qilian Mountains where the Han Dynasty in the 2nd century BC begun to establish military agricultural colonies to support trade within the territory of nomadic groups of people such as Xiongnu, Tibetan and Uighur. Gradually many of these people became settled. The sites consists of extensive richly decorated cave temples that reflect the wealth created by the trade in these remote areas (the most elaborate along the whole of the Silk roads), the essential infrastructure (forts and beacons) to support travellers crossing these thinly populated areas, settlements that developed purely to cater for the caravans, and the complex irrigation-based agricultural systems that were needed in desert areas to feed 21 The Silk Road in World History, Xinru Liu, 2010, Oxford University Press, USA 66 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS travellers and communities. Among them, five sites along Hosi corridor are in the World Heritage List, which are Yumen Pass, Mogao Grottos, Xuanquan Posthouse, Suoyang City, and Jiayu Pass. Besides, two sites, Bingling Cave and Maijishan Grottos, which are located along the Silk Road in Gansu province, are incorporated into the World Heritage list Figure 4.17 World heritage on the UNESCO list Figure 4.18 Bingling cave temple complex, Maijishan Grotto, Mogao caves 67 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.19 Suoyang city, Xuanquan posthouse Figure 4.20 Jiayuguan Pass, Yumen Pass(Jadegate Pass) 4.6.1 Relics of ancient cities and castles Hosi Corridor is an important region that has preserved the largest number of ancient castle relics with the most complete types and time sequence. More than two hundred sites of ancient cities remain, along the Hosi corridor, which really unique in other part of China, among which, Suoyang city, Jiayuguan castles, Xuanquan Posthouse, Gaogu city, camel city, and Jade-gate Pass city are the most famous sites. According to archaeological Studies, it is Xiongnu that first started to build truly cities along the Hosi corridor. Many of the existing ones were built during the Period of Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties. 68 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.21 Map of ancite cities or castles Most of the ancient cities are built, grouped by oasis along the corridor. Usually, these areas enjoy adequate facilities like transportation and water source, which are ideal places for agriculture and husbandry. It is these cities along the Silk Road that are the main route of Silk Road, also transfer station and supply depot for east-west traffic arteries as well. The counties distributed along main stream region of Heihe River are the natural barrier for Hetao Plain, Inner Mongolian Plateau and Hosi Corridor. There are satellites of castle guard around the counties, usually 3 to 10 in number. The large castle has an area of thousand square meters, the small ones can also reach an area of hundreds of square meters. The castles in Hosi Corridor are usually foursquare or rectangle, the layout in the castle is usually regular. Castles are constructed by board building of rammed soil, tall and thick. Some of the important castles also use brick built package later. Most of 69 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS castles set gate in two or three walls, some only have one gate. In the later period, the gates were usually set in four walls, and there were Barbicans at the gate. 4.6.2 Remains of the Great Wall along the corridor The Great Wall is an ancient Chinese fortification, almost 4,000 miles long, originally designed to protect China from the Mongols. Since the beginning of the 7 or 8 century BC, the construction continued for more than 2000 years, distributed widely in northern and central China. The Great Wall snakes about 6,700 kilometers westward from Shanhaiguan Passon (the Bohai Bay) to Jiayuguan Pass in Gansu. Figure 4.22 Jianyuguan Pass The history of construction of the Great Wall can be traced back to the western Zhou Dynasty. After that, there have been three peaks of the Great Wall built, namely, the Qin Great Wall, Han Great Wall, and Ming Great Wall. During the Warring States period, because of the strong vigilance among different nations, the Great Wall construction came into the first climax. But the length of the wall is relatively short in this period. After Qin conquered six nations, First Emperor of Qin made the order to connect and renovate the defending walls left before. It is the first time that the 70 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS walls were called the Great Wall. During Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu had several big west expeditions. After conquered the Huns, he started to build the Great Wall to prevent the Huns invading again. The Great Wall of Han is the witness of the first west development in history. The Great Wall of Ming Dynasty is another great defense project in Chinese history. The Ming Empire almost had not stopped the construction of the Great Wall in its 200 years of existence. Large numbers of military fortresses were built while constructing the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty, which guarded the border land along the Great Wail according to the military level. Majority of the Great Wall that people see today was built during this period. Figure 4.23 Master plan of Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty 22 (with highlight) The Great Wall is not only a famous military defense in the ancient China, but also a cultural boundary line, which distinguishes the agriculture civilization from the nomadic civilization. From another aspect, it guaranteed the safety of central China, kept trade along the Silk Road flowing, and promoted the communication between nations around the borders. With the discovery and control of the west region, step by step, the Great 22 “Study of Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty” by Hua Xiazi 71 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Wall on the Hosi Corridor was constructed by Former Han government. At first, on the east, the Great Wall joined hand with Qin Great Wall, while the west part was built to Jiuquan, which was the first prefecture in the west. Later on, when the corridor went to Dunhuang, the Great Wall followed there. Figure 4.24 Remains of the Great Wall along the Hosi corridor in Gansu province From Lanzhou, heading west towards Wushao Mountain, we could see the Han Great Wall and the Han frontier. Dilapidated Great Wall, off and on, stretching from the bottom to the hillside, is singing a long elegy of history. Also, some Han Great Wall and ruins of beacon tower still stand around Jade Gate Pass. 72 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.25 Beacon Tower and remain of Great wall Figure 4.26 The Great Wall post station Fortunately, some remnant parts of the Han Great Wall on the Hosi Corridor are high enough that its constructional layers are visible. It was Interlace-constructed with one layer of sandy soil and another layer of bulrush or rose-willow, each of them 12-15 centimeters. Although the Great Wall now ends at JiaYuGuan Pass, there are still many watchtowers extending beyond there along the Silk Road. As far as getting into Xinjiang (Sinkiang) province, The Great Wall no longer has continuous wall, but only beacon towers one by one. 4.6.2.1 Jiayuguan Pass The Great Wall defensive system was improved in Ming Dynasty, dividing the whole line into 9 parts and 11 towns. Accordingly, each town was divided into roads and passes. Every beacon tower was linked, corresponding to each enemy tower. Towns and Passes had its castles, located along the vital 73 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS transportation line. There stand 14 major passes (Guan, in Chinese) at places of strategic importance along the Great Wall, the most important being Shanghaiguan and Jiayuguan. Jiayuguan, the starting point at the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, is the transport hub of ancient Silk Road. Jiayuguan Fortress was considered to be the last outpost of Chinese civilization. Figure 4.27 photo of Jianyuguan Figure 4.28 Bird's eye view of Jiayuguan model 74 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Jiayuguan castle, built on the west of Jiayuguan in 1372, was the most magnificent pass, which was also the most complete and best preserved. Composed of inner city, the barbican and outer city, its masterplan appeared as trapezoid. 4.6.3 Hosi Grottos Grotto is a kind of Buddhist architecture form originated from India. Buddhism advocates reclusive hermit, therefore, monks choose remote places such as the high mountains and lofty hills to dig caves for accommodation while practicing. Indian grotto pattern probably has a square hall as the core, surrounded by a ring of columns, square practice rooms are chiseled around the core, and usually there are colonnades outside the cave. Chinese grottoes were originally in imitation of India, mostly located in the Yellow River valley in northern China. Hosi Corridor is traffic artery between China and the West since ancient times. After Han defeated the Huns, Buddhism spread to China, and had an unprecedented development in Hosi area during Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties. There were many eminent monks at that time. Buddhist temples and grottoes were built gradually, Hosi Grottos are the grottos along the Hosi corridors, including Mogao caves, Yulin Caves (Grottes de Yulin), Matisi Grottos, Western Thousand Buddha Caves, Wenshu mountain grottos, Changma grottos, Tiantishan Grottos, and so on. Most of them were dig within Qilian Mountain, and set up during Wuliang period (300-400AD). 75 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.29 Hosi Grottos The form of the Hosi Grottos were influenced by both India Chaitya grottoes and Chinese traditional architectural from. And the content of statues and murals in these grottos were simple but natural and lifelike, mixed together with the carving and painting techniques of India and the western regions. 4.6.3.1 Mogao Grotto Dunhuang city was established as a frontier garrison outpost by the Han Dynasty to protect against the Xiongnu in 111 BCE. It also became an important gateway to the West, a center of commerce along the Silk Road, as well as a meeting place of various people and religions such as Buddhism. Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes (Thousand-Buddha Cave), so far, 1600 years of history, is the world-famous treasure houses of art. Lying in the steep cliffs of Mingsha Mountain of Dunhuang City, it is telling the story of the great flowering of Buddhist art in China. 76 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.30 Photo of Mogao grotto The construction of the Mogao Caves near Dunhuang is generally taken to have begun sometime in the fourth century CE. It flourished in the short-lived Sui Dynasty. By the Tang Dynasty, the number of caves had reached over a thousand. Figure 4.31 Flying Apsaras from cave 321 and 390 23 It records the belief, pattern and text of ancient people in different dynasties. The painted murals in the Dunhuang Grottoes along the ancient Silk 23 Duan Wenjie’s copy and Wang Fenglin’s copy in the flourishing Tang Dynasty 77 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Road in China form the world's longest painted corridor, with a total of 45,000 square meters of painted murals. Figure 4.32 the plan and section of No.285 cave 24 The remarkable culture and art treasure of Dunhuang Grottos consists of gorgeous murals, painted sculpture and coverall the Mogao Grottoes anniversary of literature. 24 From “the Mogao Grottoes: grottoes structure and its statue”, by Yan Wenru, Xia Nai mapping and drawing. 78 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS 4.7 Current Economy 4.7.1 Infrastructure (mainly transportation) 4.7.1.1 Highway By the end of 2014, the total length of highway in Gansu Province is 138000 km, including 3300 km of expressway, 7491 km second-class roads, 120700 km of rural highways. The road density reaches 32.43 km/100km². All cities and 48 counties are connected by expressway. All the townships and 70% villages are connected by asphalt (concrete) roads. Figure 4.33 The Highway system 79 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.34 Highway milleage and its Passenger carrying capacity in 2014 25 4.7.1.2 Railway The total length of railway in Gansu Province is 3811 km, including 798 km of high speed railway. The railway network has covered 12 cities. Lanxin high speed railway is electrified double-track railway from Lanzhou to Urumqi via Xining, the important part of the Gansu, Qinghan and Xinjiang railway networks. It is the transportation artery between Xinjiang and inland, and greatly shortens the driving time. And it is also the first high speed railway in high altitude cold and sandstorm area in the northwest of China. This railway has accumulated valuable experience for the development of this kind of area. 25 From National Bureau of statistics of China 80 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.35 the railway system Figure 4.36 Railway milleage and its Passenger carrying capacity in 2014 26 26 From National Bureau of statistics of China 81 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS 4.7.1.3 Airport After Jinchang, Zhangye, Xiahe these 3 airports completed by civil aviation, the total number of airports in service is 9. Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport and Dunhuang Airport officially become international airport. There are nearly 100 International and domestic flight routes in total. Figure 4.37 Map of airport in Gansu 4.7.2 Resources distribution and new energy in Gansu Longnan, the southern Gansu mountainous region includes south of Weihe River, Lintan, Diebu county and the mountainous region to the east. It is the west extent part of Qinling Mountains. In the overlapping and magnificent mountain range contains clear and fresh water, where grow the rich plants and vegetation. 82 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Loess plateau locates in the center and east of Gansu. After millions of years of earth crustal movement, wars in various dynasties, erosion of disaster, loess plateau has torn to pieces and become one of the poorest parts in China although it contains endless treasures-rich in oil and coal resources. Gannan plateau is a part of the roof of the world-Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The average altitude of Gannan plateau is more than 3000 meters, is a typical plateau region with broad marsh, fat cattle and horses, is one of the main bases of animal husbandry in Gansu Province. Figure 4.38 Map of industrial (primary and secondary industries)distribution in Gansu The total area of Gansu Province is about 454400 km², most of the area is mountains. The area of mountains and hills in the province accounts for 78.2% of total area. The land utilization ratio is 56.93%. In addition to the deserts, Gobi, swamps, rocky-mountains, bare rocks, permanent snow and glaciers, 83 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS 273141 km² land still can be used for production and construction, accounted for 60.11% of the total land area. The area of forest resource is 39665 km², including the old-growth forest in Bailong River, the Taohe River, Chi-lien Mountains, and the Daxia River areas, with more than 4000 species of wild plants in the forest. The area of the whole grassland resources is 157529 km², accounted for 34.67% of total land resource area, including 156483 km² of natural grassland, which accounts for 99.34%. This area is one of the main bases for animal husbandry and grassland farming in China. The water resource belongs to three river basins, the Yellow River, Yangtze River and inland-river. Figure 4.39 Hydrology around Hosi corridor In the Yellow River basin, the mainstream of Yellow River passes throughout central, which has 36 branches. In spite of its good water condition 84 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS and large area, majority of the basin is covered by loess. Therefore, vegetation here is sparse, water and soil loss is severe. While Changjiang River system in Gansu includes Jialing River, and its water resource is abundant. The water alternation of four seasons is stable and won’t get frozen during the winter. Because of its steep slope and numerous canyons, the abundant water system can be used in the future development. Relying on the melting water from snow and ice on Qilian Mountains, the Hosi corridor is relatively rich in natural resources compared with the dessert and Gobi around. Besides, Gansu Province's wind power resources are mainly distributed along the Hosi Corridor. Figure 4.40 Wind Power When it comes to tourism resource, Gansu province is famous for its rich and varied resources for tourism development-with all kinds of topography resources except oceans and reefs. Beautiful scenery can be found in Gansu, especially along Hosi corridor, including gobi desert, glaciers, snow mountains, Danxia landform, canyons and Karst caves. In Gansu, there are 1 World Biosphere Reserve, 3 National 5As Tourist Attractions, 3 National Parks, 23 National Forest Parks, 4 National 85 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Geological Parks, 9 National Water Parks and 16 National Nature Reserves. Figure 4.41 Map of National forest parks and Natural reserve areas Gansu enjoys rich culture heritage. Diverse cultures add radiance and beauty to each other here—Silk Road Culture, Yellow River Culture, the Great Wall Culture, and Ancestral Culture. Both the symbol of China Tourism—the Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow, and the symbol of the earliest postal service of China—the Painting of Postal Messenger were unearthed in Gansu. Now, there are 8 World Cultural Heritages, 8 Excellent Tourism Cities, 18 National Intangible Cultural Heritages, 8 National Historical and Cultural Cities and Towns,as well as 72 Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level in Gansu. 86 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.42 Map of Historic and Cultural Heritage Sites 4.7.3 Current economic index and industrial In recent years, through seizing the historical opportunity of the large-scale development of the western China and implementing the strategy of invigorating Gansu through industry and the strategy of opening up wider to the outside world, Gansu has promoted the development of agriculture and the rural economy, facilitated infrastructure development, and given high priority to the development of social programs. The economy has maintained good development momentum. The general strength is boosted up effective and the industrial structure became reasonable, at the same time, people's living conditions have bettered a great deal. 87 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.43 Histogram of the change of Gansu GDP from 2010 to 2014 27 Gansu Province achieved a gross regional domestic product of 683.53 billion RMB, increased 7.97% over the previous year. The added value generated by the primary industry achieved 90.08 billion RMB increased by 6.64%; that of the secondary industry achieved 292.486 billion RMB, increased by 6.54%; and that of the tertiary industry reached 300.961 billion RMB, an increase of 9.81%. The structure ratio of the primary, secondary and tertiary industries is 13.18:42.79:44.03. Compared with the previous year, the proportion of primary and secondary industry dropped by 0.16% and 0.58%, tertiary industry rose by 0.74% respectively. 27 From National Bureau of statistics of China 88 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.44 Industry proportion in Gansu Figure 4.45 Histogram of the change of Gansu’s total volume of imports and exports from 2010 to 2014 28 28 From National Bureau of statistics of China 89 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Figure 4.46 Tourist Receptin in each city (2013) Figure 4.47 Tourist from overseas (2013) Figure 4.48 International tourism in 2013 29 29 From National Bureau of statistics of China 90 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS 4.8 Problems 4.8.1 Ecological crisis Once-prosperous Hosi corridor, the golden section of the Silk Road, is suffering from serious ecological problems. Along the Hosi corridor, gobi or desert extend to everywhere. Water resources scarcity, lower water use efficiency (WUE) and soil desertification are the main factors restricting the sustainable development of agriculture in irrigated oasis of Hosi corridor. Desertification caused by droughts or unsustainable land management practices such as deforestation, overgrazing, and poorly managed irrigation, is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub humid areas (known as drylands). The end result of desertification is barren and unproductive land that cannot be used for crop and food production or other agricultural purposes, and has little biodiversity value. Figure 4.49 Desertification The combination of high variability in ecosystem conditions in drylands and high levels of poverty leads to a situation where societies are vulnerable to a further decline in human well-being. Because of the influence of sandstorm, the overall level of air environmental background value of dust-fall is increasing in Gansu province in 91 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS the last 15 years. Figure 4.50 Sandstorm Pollution by heavy metals, such as cadmium in irrigation water, has resulted in poisoning of many acres of agricultural land. 4.8.2 Less-developed economy and Poverty According the diagram below, it demonstrates that urban population in Gansu is relatively small in China, which means its urbanization level is not high. Figure 4.51 Urban population in each province in 2014 30 30 From National Bureau of statistics of China 92 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Gansu is one of China's poorest province and the poorest regions of China. Figure 4.52 Reginal GDP and PGDP in 2014 31 4.8.3 Destructions of heritage First of all, Hosi Corridor is in the northwest inland, with less rain, wind and large temperature difference between day and night. Due to the factors of natural weathering and disasters, the heritages such as ancient castles and sculptures that were made by sediment and the clod were damaged severely by the erosion of wind and desert animal activity. Besides, in the Qilian Mountains seismic belt where Hosi corridor locates, earthquakes often happened. These ancient cities would not survive. The Tengger Desert and Badain Jaran Desert are on the north of the corridor. With the further deepening of desertification, many ancient cities were engulfed in the sand. 31 From National Bureau of statistics of China 93 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS Thirdly, because Hosi Corridor had vast natural pasture for grazing, many nomads lived here. However, due to the rising temperature, large amount of grassland degraded. The over exploitation of the region severely damaged the ecological environment. Large numbers of garrison and reclamation resulted in substantial reduction in vegetation area, ecological unbalance, population migration, abandonment of ancient towns. Hosi Corridor was famous as the key of traffic in History. However, with the opening of the marine Silk Road and the further increase of exchange, the land Silk Road was no longer the only lifeline from the west to China. The corridor, lack of business dealings, withered and shrank gradually. For instance, most of ancient castles along the Hosi Corridor were set up according to political, military and economic needs during different historical periods. With the integration of the nations and the barrier of the war, castles lost their importance. The fragile ancient cities depressed gradually under the continuous natural erosion and man-made destruction. Figure 4.53 Remains of Hecang city In spite of natural weathering and degrading, the heritage "constructive destruction" is also alarming. Following the city's construction and development, the cultural heritage are impacted and destroyed to different degree, and it is shown as constructive destruction mainly. 94 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS With the prosperity of heritage development and heritage tourism, the heritage resources are facing an unprecedented threat of over development, continuous loss and rapid destruction nowadays. Take Dunhuang Moago Grottos as an example. In 2014, Mogao Grottoes hosted nearly 800000 tourists. In warm season, the amount of tourists can reach as high as 7000~8000 in only one day. But according to scientific calculations, the Mogao Grottoes has an upper limit of capability to accommodate tourists of 3000 every day. The amount of tourists beyond the limit may cause damage to the cave murals and sculptures. Figure 4.54 Repair site in Mogao Grotto 32 Due to the factors of natural weathering and man-made damage, the great “repositories” of mankind's historical artifacts and achievements are in badly need of protection and maintenance. 4.9 Potentials under belt and road initiative 4.9.1 High-speed Railway In the Belt and Road initiative, the New Eurasian Continental Bridge, which connects the Asia-Pacific region and Eurasian countries, goes through 32 Dunhuang research academy 95 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS the whole province, making Gansu the only province that enjoys such a desirable position in West China. Hosi corridor is not only in the center part of Eurasia Land Bridge, but also the center of Western Longhai-Lanxin Railway economic belt, where the High-speed railway G30 and G312 pass. Figure 4.55 China railway system Lanxin second line (the second Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway) is the second double-track railway between Lanzhou and Xinjiang. It is a connection between Lanzhou and Urumqi, playing an important role in the transportation system of Xinjiang Province and Gansu Province. It started constructing since November 2009, passing through Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang. After 5-year construction, the Lanxin second line was opened in December, 2014. It is the first fast speed railway building in the high altitude area, with a total length of 96 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS 1776 kilometers. The second Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway is approximately parallel with the ancient Silk Road, whose opening up have brought new opportunity for the development of cultural industries in the northwest. China is in negotiations to build a high-speed rail network to India and Europe with trains that capable of running at over 200mph within the next ten years. In the future, the Lanxin third line (the third Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway) is the real high-speed railway, which will become the important part of Eurasia Land Bridge. 4.9.2 Traditional Industry vison Gansu has a solid industry foundation and has taken the lead in science and technology among provinces in West China. It is considered a major chemical, energy and raw materials base and a core area for industries in West China, with an industrial structure focusing on petrochemicals, non-ferrous metallurgy, machinery and electronics, construction materials, food, medicine, textiles and light industry. Along with its vast deposits of coal and rare earths Gansu is also home to China's largest nickel deposits located around Jinchang city. Proven reserves of Nickel in Jinchang are in the neighborhood of 5.5 million tones which is 90% of China's nickel reserves and the third largest in the world. As a result, with the development of the new Eurasian Continental Bridge, Gansu’s traditional industrial can strive for further improvement, and the economy will take a turn for the better. 4.9.3 Science and technology The province has 33 colleges and universities, more than 1,500 research institutions and a number of national State Key Laboratories. With such strong 97 a CHAPTER 4. HOSI CORRIDOR AND ITS POTENTIALS research and development advantages, the province holds a lead in a variety of fields, including space technology, biological products, electronic information and desertification control. The province is also a center of China's nuclear industry. 4.9.4 Free trade areas Investment and trade cooperation is a major task in building the Belt and Road. We should strive to improve investment and trade facilitation, and remove investment and trade barriers for the creation of a sound business environment within the region and in all related countries. We will discuss with countries and regions along the Belt and Road on opening free trade areas so as to unleash the potential for expanded cooperation. 4.9.5 Cultural development and tourism Tourism has been a bright spot in contributing to Gansu's overall economy. As mentioned below, Gansu offers a wide variety of choices for national and international tourists. Gansu province is famous for its rich and varied resources for tourism development -- with all kinds of topography resources except oceans and reefs. Gansu is known as the birthplace of Chinese civilization, the museum of natural wonders, the garden of folk customs as well as the favorable destination of leisure tourism. Hosi corridor is a scenery passage in the Silk Road where you can learn about the history, taste the culture, travel the mountains and rivers as well as experience the special folk customs. 98 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR CHAPTER 5. Proposals on the culture and heritage of Hosi Corridor The Belt and Road initiatives, has brought opportunities to Hosi corridor, and will bring more in the future. As economy getting better, with enough finally support and political support, the precious culture and heritage should be well preserved. The Silk Road economic belt is the Silk Road culture development belt as well. In this chapter, I will have some proposals on the heritage and culture, to have better preservation and promotion, which in return can help with the economy to some extent. My proposals on the culture and heritage consist of 3 parts, including Cultural corridor, Digital corridor, and Cultural tourism. 5.1 Cultural corridor Hosi corridor is a scenery passage on the Silk Road, but it is also a culture corridor with splendid and diverse culture. 5.1.1 Environmental protection Sandstorm and land desertification probably are the most urgent and severe environmental problems in the Hosi corridor region. We cannot stop the sandstorm, but we can prevent desertification, which would reduce sandstorm in return. After exploring the ecological transition and climate change in the Hosi corridor region, we can prevent, stop or reverse desertification. Prevention is a lot more cost-effective than rehabilitation. Integrated land and water management are key methods of desertification prevention. All measures that protect soils from erosion, salinization, and other 99 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR forms of soil degradation effectively prevent desertification. Sustainable land use can address human activities such as overgrazing, overexploitation of plants, trampling of soils, and unsustainable irrigation practices that exacerbate dryland vulnerability. Improved water management practices can enhance water-related services. These may include use of traditional water-harvesting techniques, water storage, and water conservation resource measures. Protection of vegetative cover can be a major instrument for prevention of desertification. Maintaining vegetative cover to protect soil from wind and water erosion is a key preventive measure against desertification. Properly maintained vegetative cover also prevents loss of ecosystem services during drought episodes. Reduced rainfall may be induced if vegetation cover is lost due to over-cultivation, overgrazing, overharvesting of medicinal plants, woodcutting, or mining activities. Figure 5.1 Protection Forest 33 In the Hosi Corridor, a strategic 1,600-kilometre chain of oases that separates the Badain Jaran Desert from the Tengger Desert, sand is claiming 8 to 10 meters of land a year. 33 State Forestry Administration 100 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR Besides the protecting measures above, in order to maintain ecological balance, environmental protection of Hosi corridor also needs association cooperation, the public environmental education and training volunteer etc. 5.1.2 Historical and cultural heritage preservation 5.1.2.1 Conservation Conservation of cultural heritage involves protection and restoration using "any methods that prove effective in keeping that property in as close to its original condition as possible for as long as possible." 34 It focuses on protection and care of tangible cultural heritage. For some heritage sites that have been extended or rebuilt on the original foundations with a relatively short history, we should make rational use of them, and at the same time strengthen the protection of it to avoid man-made destruction. Besides, other ancient heritages that have been man-made destroyed, should be carefully managed to prevent damage and restored in a proper way. Figure 5.2 Restoration When restoring cultural heritage, in order to respect the original structures of the monuments, we should develop the best methods of preservation and 34 Walston, S. "The Preservation and Conservation of Aboriginal and Pacific Cultural Material in Australian Museums", 1978 101 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR restoration to have minimal intervention, appropriate materials and reversible methods. 5.1.2.2 Professional study and research Those culture heritages which have important archaeological value, should be placed under special protection with regular inspections and repair. At the same time, more professional studies of the remnants of the relics should be taken in detail. Figure 5.3 Research of Mogao Grottos35 For the sake of carrying forward the national culture, we should continue the professional explorations of the ancient civilization of Hosi corridor, cooperated with local government and museums. 5.1.2.3 Conservation-oriented development There are large amounts of heritage sites along Hosi Corridor, which have still not been fully developed and utilized. In the fact of such favorable conditions 35 and opportunities, these hidden resources should be Dunhuang Research Academy 102 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR conservation-oriented explored and developed, under academic research and professional guide to ensure properly effective protection, rational utilization and sustainable development. 5.1.3 Modern culture 5.1.3.1 Combination of the historic and the brand-new culture Culture of Hosi corridor is not dead and buried, but only in deep-sleep. We need to rouse its culture, and bring the corridor back to life. Hosi corridor cannot be only the past, cannot indulge in the glory of its past ancient Silk Road In spite of its brilliant and splendid culture, the corridor needs to get an infusion of fresh blood. Ancient culture need to combine with modern art, music, sculptures, and so on, like collisions generate sparks, to create something new. 5.1.3.2 Modern art on Gobi dessert Take art as an example. Modern art prominently embodies the subject of human life and shows the reasonable consciousness of it. On account of the fact that, when moving on Hosi corridor and looking into the distance, the only thing we could see is vast, endless and boring gobi dessert. As a consequence, on both side of the Silk Road, on the Gobi or in the dessert, my proposal is to have some art installations to show the beauty of nature and harmony. Here come three cases of modern art installation I choose for Hosi corridor, as well as another installation designed by myself. All of them use reflection to show the relationship between mysterious nature and human. Reflections are the primary physical means through which we perceive 103 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR the world around us. We are able to see only as a result of the diffuse reflections produced by whatever person, place or object we observe. Light energy, from any source, is partly absorbed and reflected by whatever it strikes. 5.1.3.3 A Moment's Reflection 36 “A Moment's Reflection” is an installation by Cody Willam Smith. It is possible that you catch a glimpse regarding this kind of landscape photos processed with a mirror effect on a geometric shape. American photographer Cody William Smith did the job straight-shooting and made 4 very beautiful series called “A Moment of Reflection”. His intention is to draw new connections between familiar forms by introducing specular reflections to environments where none would typically exist. The mirrors serve as a focal point within a given scene and also function as a window to provide an entirely unique perspective on the same location. He took pictures of impressive landscapes seen through mirrors: the sea, a sunset, the desert or mountains. What I have put below is the mirrors in the dessert 36 by Cody Willam Smith, Lonel Pascu, 2014 104 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR Figure 5.4 “A Moment's Reflection”in the dessert 5.1.3.4 Lucid Stead37 “Lucid Stead” is an installation by American artist Phillip K Smith III. Mirrored panels alternated with weather-beaten timber siding panels to create horizontal stripes around the outer walls, allowing narrow sections of the building to seemingly disappear into the vast desert landscape. The door and windows of the building are also infilled with mirrors, but after dark they transform into brightly colored rectangles that subtly change hue, thanks to a system of LED lighting and an Arduino computer system. Figure 5.5 Two elavations of the house 37 By American artist Phillip K Smith III, Dezeen, 2013 105 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR Phillip outfitted the shack with mirrors and lights for his piece "Lucid Stead." During the day, the shack "reflects and refracts the surrounding terrain as if a mirage or a hallucination"; the desert looks like it's cutting right through the old building. At night, as the sun goes down, "slowly shifting, geometric color fields emerge until they hover in the desert darkness." The piece was available to visitors the past two weekends and probably won't be shown again, but watch a video of its creation and display down below. Figure 5.6 during the day Figure 5.7 at night 5.1.3.5 Winter lotus “Winter Lotus” is an installation designed by myself. 106 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR When moving forward along on the Hosi corridor with dessert around, people must be eager for fresh and cool water. In order to bring water and sense of humid into the dessert, I choose to use double-side stainless steel as the material for my design. What is more, I want to bring the beauty of lotus into dessert, making the even bigger contradiction on the corridor. After making analysis on the different space relationships between the winter lotus and the surface of lake, I made a summary of four kinds of relations as below. Figure 5.8 Space relations analysis Seven plates consist of five different kinds of mirror Stainless Steel. They are made by modularization, so they can have different combinations. According to different design ideas, just like "Seven-piece puzzle”, Winter Lotus is an application and innovation of modeling thinking ways and is able to form various images through combination of plates. Each one coming closer is its designer. 107 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR Figure 5.9 Five kinds of mirror Stainless Steel Figure 5.10 Placed on the mirror stainless steel Figure 5.11 Placed in loop, linear and on curved mirror stainless steel 108 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR 5.2 Digital corridor 5.2.1 Digitization Digitization is the process of converting information into a digital format. 5.2.2 Digital research and preservation of cultural heritage Digitizing information makes it easier to preserve, access, and share. For example, an original historical document may only be accessible to people who visit its physical location, but if the document content is digitized, it can be made available to people worldwide. There is a growing trend towards digitization of historically and culturally significant data. And in the future, it may probably become the main method for preservation of heritage in danger. Digitization has made important breakthrough for Duhuang Mogao Grottos. Dunhuang Academy use digital technology to make the full range of cultural heritage preservation. Lasting for more than ten years, the murals of Mogao Grottoes have been precisely photographed and put into the archive. Those fresco art from the Mogao Grottoes is able to make virtual combination with mural art and paintings, codex, and early prints which scattered all over the world. 38 38 Digital Dunhuang, Media Architect Harlan Wallach partners with Dunhuang Academy to create virtual caves, The friends of Dunhuang, 2008 109 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR Figure 5.12 Digitization the fresco in the cave 39 Scholars from all over the world will be able to participate in making comments about digital image in detail, create virtual community for quick and easy information exchange. Educators are able to design rich and interactive art virtual roaming on the Hosi corridor, even on the whole Silk Road, for school-age children. 5.2.3 3D hologram corridor hologram For exhausted travelers in the desert, a mirage may appear to be a lake of water in the distance. A mirage is a naturally occurring optical phenomenon in which light rays are bent to produce a displaced image of distant objects or the sky. The image usually is upside down, enhancing the illusion that the sky image seen in the distance is really a water or oil puddle acting as a mirror. However, images are not stable. Hot air rises, and cooler air (being more dense) descends, so the layers will mix, giving rise to turbulence. The image will be distorted accordingly. It may be vibrating; it may be vertically extended 39 Dunhuang Research Academy 110 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR (towering) or horizontally extended (stooping). Figure 5.13 An inferior mirage Mirage shows us the mysterious dessert and its constantly changing conditions. But how could we make it stay for long? Based on the digitization and using imagination, my proposal is to make a further use of digital technology in the future, to build up the digital navigation system along Hosi corridor. Three-dimensional (3D) holographic imaging is a technique to generate cubic images with holography. With this technology, various images of culture heritage would appear like mirages in the sky on both sides of the Hosi corridor. But it is a stable mirage. By showing the name of heritages as well as its direction, the intelligent system will help people to get to know about the heritage sites, to choose their destination and find the right way. 111 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR Figure 5.14 Mirage identification along the Hosi corridor 5.2.4 Digital tourism When it comes to culture tourism, protection and display, there is contradiction itself. We need to solve this contradiction, in good protection under the major premise, allow more people to experience the history and beauty of the heritage, which is beyond words. For instance, "Digital Dunhuang" 40, using digital technology to let visitors standing in front of a computer screen can all appreciate the Mogao Grottoes. Mogao Grottoes visitor center will provide sorts of new services, such as a virtual tour wat, 3 D experience. As long as by visiting the center, the visitors are able to experience the beauty of the grotto art, so as to reduce the visit pressure of the real caves. 40 Dunhuang Research Academy 112 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR 5.3 Tourism: a pilgrimage for culture We should enhance cooperation in and expand the scale of tourism; hold tourism promotion weeks and publicity months in each other's countries; jointly create competitive international tourist routes and products with Silk Road features; and make it more convenient to apply for tourist visa in countries along the Belt and Road. 41 5.3.1 Rural tourism in ancient city Only five cities go through Hosi corridor. Most of heritage on the Hosi corridor are in rural area, for instance ancient castles and remains of Great Wall. And most of the rural areas are undeveloped and poor. As a result, it is a big opportunity for rural tourism. Figure 5.15 Yongtai ancient city 42 Through the implementation of the rural tourism promotion, the 41 by the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, with State Council authorization, from China Daily 42 Photographed by Chen Xinyu, National Geographic, 2013 113 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR development rural tourism will create a great many jobs for people, and give them chances to start an undertaking. Hotels, restaurants, offices, shopping precincts and revitalized urban wastelands complement art galleries, museums and performance venues for their re-use or revitalization of heritage places as creative and attractive venues for tourists and local residents alike. It is not only tourism development, but also a way of improving people's livelihood to help them get rid of poverty and have a better life. 5.3.2 Urbanization From the previous chapter, we could find that the low urbanization of Hosi corridor is one of the problems for the development of Gansu. The countryside is a vital but frequently overlooked category in the contemporary discourse around spatial policy, and its role with respect to the future of urbanism is more often than not neglected. As rural area has developed by rural tourism, urbanization will indeed begin. Towns and cities are formed and become larger as more people begin living and working in central areas Changes in overall economic and institutional settings that create new opportunities for people to earn a living could help relieve current pressures underlying the desertification processes. As urban growth, adequate planning and provision of services, infrastructure, and facilities will emerge. What is more, those facilities can be a major factor in relieving pressures that cause desertification in drylands. 5.3.3 Cultural heritage tourism development Cultural and heritage tourism represent a major area of growth in the special interest tourism market. Along the Hosi corridor, cultural heritage sites 114 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR and places represent a huge and varied collection of human creation across the entire span of human history. With the enormous growth of knowledge, increasing mobility and the increased accessibility of travel, there is widespread curiosity about other places and a huge demand to visit and personally experience other societies. The relationship between culture and tourism is culture is the impetus for tourism, while tourism is the driving force for the culture. Culture and tourism go hand in hand and feed on each other. Hence, we should promote cultural and tourism integration development. Cultural and tourism integration development need to balance the heritage preservation and economic benefit from tourism. It will push forward integrated management, including urban economy, social, administrative and tourism management and resource. 5.3.4 Great Wall theme park with bicycle lane Nowadays, large amount of cycling enthusiasts go on their journey by cycling along famous highway. Among them, Hosi corridor is one of the popular choices. It is an environmental and interesting way for travel, but also a really dangerous way, with cars and heavy trucks passing through. Even though excising all the way, but the health may not improve, thinking about the sand and car exhaust on the highway. Most of heritages are usually so far away from the highway that it is really easy to miss. 115 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR Figure 5.16 Cycling on the Hosi corridor In order to solve the problem, my proposal is to open up Great Wall theme park with a route especially for bicycling along the Great Wall. It is a green bicycling route free of automobile exhaust, which is much safer than the highway. Figure 5.17 Great Wall remains and main transportation routes By opening of the Great Wall theme park, the remains of the heritage site, 116 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR such as dilapidated walls and bacon towers, could be well studied and protected under professional care. Hence, we can do good preservation of the Great Wall, as well as restoration and renovations if necessary. By creating a bicycling route, visitors and vehicles can be separated, which relieve traffic pressure and reduce the probability for traffic Accidents. Visitors enjoy a quiet and natural environment for travelling, and can get closer to cultural heritage. Figure 5.18 Great Wall and other heritage sites From the location of Great Wall and other heritage sites, we can realize that most of the heritage sites are distributed along the Hosi corridor, and the Great Wall is relatively far away from the main road. As the Great Wall is a famous wonder in the world, the opening of Great Wall theme park will make it a big tourism spot that covers huge area and have large capacity to receive tourists. Thus, tourists may be separate and some hot heritages may reduce 117 a CHAPTER 5. PROPOSALS ON THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF HOSI CORRIDOR its pressure, for instance Dunhuang Mogao Grottos. 118 a BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCE Bibliography and Reference: Cody Willam Smith, A Moment's Reflection, Lonel Pascu , 2014 Phillip K Smith III, Lucid Stead, Dezeen, 2013 Valerie Hansen, The Silk Road: A New History, Oxford University Press, 2012 Walston, S., The Preservation and Conservation of Aboriginal and Pacific Cultural Material in Australian Museums, 1978 Xinru Liu, The Silk Road in World History, Oxford University Press, UAASA, 2010,ISBN: 9780195161748 Yingxing Song, Heavenly Creations, Song Dynasty Yan Wenru, Xia Nai, the Mogao Grottoes: grottoes structure and its statue UNESCO, Silk Roads _the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor_maps of inscribed property, 2014 National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, with State Council authorization, An Action Plan on the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, China Daily, 2015 119 a