Mystery of Wells in the Forbidden City: Interweaving of History and Reality
2024-04-28 10:41:33 中文版

Located in the center of Beijing, China, the Forbidden City is not only a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture, but also the birthplace of countless historical legends. Among them, the statement that there are more than 70 wells inside the Forbidden City, but water still needs to be transported from outside, has aroused the curiosity of many people. This article will explore the possible reasons behind this phenomenon.

First, we need to understand the uses of well water in the Forbidden City. The well water in the Forbidden City was mainly used for daily life and fire protection. In ancient times, there was no modern water supply system, so well water was the main water source in the palace. However, despite the many wells inside the Forbidden City, due to the high hardness of groundwater in the Beijing area, direct drinking may affect health. Therefore, royal members and officials preferred to drink the spring water from Yuquan Mountain, which is also one of the reasons why water needed to be transported from outside.

Secondly, the architecture and population density of the Forbidden City have a great demand for water resources. In extreme weather or drought seasons, even with more than 70 wells, it may not be able to meet the large water demand. In order to ensure the normal operation of the palace, it became necessary to transport water from outside as a supplementary measure.

Furthermore, the well water in the Forbidden City was also affected by seasonal water level changes. During the dry season, the groundwater level drops, and the well water may dry up. Transporting water from outside can ensure that life in the palace will not be affected by water shortages.

In addition, as a royal palace, the Forbidden City had extremely high requirements for water quality. According to historical records, in order to ensure pure water quality, the palace wells would be cleaned and maintained after a period of use. During this time, external water transportation was needed to meet daily demand.

Finally, transporting water from outside also reflected the respect for royal power in society at that time. The spring water from Yuquan Mountain was regarded as "imperial water", and the ritual and confidentiality in the transportation process embodied the respect for the supreme status of the royal family. This special water supply method was not only a requirement for water quality, but also a symbol of politics and culture.

In summary, the reason why there are more than 70 wells in the Forbidden City but water still needs to be transported from outside is determined by the water quality, quantity, and special cultural needs of the well water. This phenomenon not only reflects the ancient Chinese society's water resource management and utilization methods, but also demonstrates the uniqueness of royal culture. Nowadays, with the establishment of modern water supply systems, the well water in the Forbidden City no longer serves its former functions, but they still attract tourists from all over the world to explore as historical witnesses.

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