Qidi Site Ruins

Author: Guo Nengyong | Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: The limestone karst caves in Yiyuan County are well-developed and widely distributed in the area around the source of the Yi River. Numerous cultural relics, traces, and vertebrate fossils of ancient humans have been discovered here, indicating that the landscape and environment of this region were highly favorable for the early survival and prosperity of humans. The discovery of the Qiziashan human fossils has provided new insights into the relationships among ancient humans in eastern China, filled a geographical gap in the distribution of human fossils in Shandong Province, and pushed forward the history of human civilization in Shandong by over 400,000 years. The discovery of Qiziashan mammal fossils also holds significant importance for studying the geographical and ecological changes in the Middle Shandong region during the Middle-Late Pleistocene, comparing northern and southern animal assemblages, and stratigraphic division. We can proudly say that the Yiyuan hominins, like the Yuanmou, Lantian, and Peking hominins, are among the earliest ancestors of the Chinese nation. From the sensational discovery of the Peking Man in Zhoukoudian, Beijing, on December 2, 1929, to the equally sensational discovery of the Yiyuan hominin in Yiyuan County, Shandong, on September 18, 1981, these two excavations, separated by more than half a century, are monumental events in the history of anthropology. The Yiyuan hominin fossils are not only the treasure of Zibo City and Shandong Province but also a national treasure of China. This major discovery has filled the blank in the geographical distribution of ancient hominins in China, providing invaluable physical evidence for studying the relationships among the Peking Man, Anhui Huan County hominin, and northern Chinese ancient humans. It proves that the ancient humans of Shandong are among the oldest members of the Chinese family. Just as the wheels of history entered the 21st century, good news came from the provincial capital of Jinan: the "Yiyuan Hominin Cave Group," centered around the Yiyuan hominin site, was listed by the Shandong Provincial People's Government as a provincial-level scenic area. This timeless marvel, created by nature and imbued with profound cultural significance, lies in the lush mountains and valleys of Yimeng, offering modern visitors a splendid destination for exploration and discovery. Even the most distant history leaves its echoes in the towering mountains and deep valleys. P7
The most famous commercial street in Zhoucun—Dajie—was established in the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty and achieved its basic scale by the ninth year of the Chongzhen reign (1636 AD). It stretches from the intersection of Sishi Street and Yinsi Street in the south to Shuoyi Gate in the north, with the Beiguo Pavilion in the middle dividing it into northern and southern sections. The southern section has been almost completely preserved, measuring 400 meters in length and 8 to 10 meters in width. Today, these ancient commercial streets have become popular destinations for visitors. As you stroll along Dajie, Sishi Street, and Yinsi Street—these once-prosperous ancient commercial streets—your thoughts will be drawn back to the "golden days of prosperity" by the Ming and Qing-style buildings and the ruins of famous commercial establishments that greet you. These traditional buildings are mostly characterized by hard-slope roofs, green tiles, and walls primarily made of blue bricks and stones. The timber of wooden structures is often painted black or dark red, giving them a simple yet elegant appearance. The storefronts are distinctive and well-designed, with varied layouts, and the shop signs and plaques are rich and colorful, adding to the streets' strong commercial atmosphere. Together, these elements make them a living specimen of ancient Chinese commercial streets. Although all the buildings date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, they exhibit different characteristics in their architectural forms. For example, Yinsi Street was once dominated by money exchange shops, and its buildings generally had defensive features, with small openings for windows and doors and a sturdy facade. Dajie and Sishi Street, on the other hand, had more scattered shops with larger openings for windows and doors, creating spacious and bright interiors. In the mid-1990s, the renowned director Zhang Yimou, with his keen eye, selected this area as the filming location for his movie To Live, giving the people of Zhoucun a fresh perspective on their centuries-old commercial streets. In the year 2000, at the turn of the century, the National Committee for Cultural Relics Protection organized experts to visit the site, highly praising the well-preserved ancient commercial streets and commending the local government's awareness of cultural heritage protection. The famous architect Ruan Yishan, who had previously advocated for the preservation and development of Zhouzhuang and Pingyao Ancient Towns, expressed deep admiration, saying, "I never expected to find such well-preserved places in northern Jiangbei!" There is a beautiful legend circulating in the Zibo region: During one of his southern tours, Emperor Qianlong passed near Zhoucun and happened to witness the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month. In the vast night, Emperor Qianlong and his entourage saw a city ahead, brilliantly lit with colorful lights. P23