The process of tearing down the old city wall of Beijing was a complex and multifaceted event that unfolded over several decades, marked by historical events, foreign invasions, urban development initiatives, and political decisions. Let’s delve into this process in detail:
1. Historical Context:
Beijing, with its grand scale and ancient history, was renowned for its city wall and gates. The city’s defense system, including walls, towers, and gates, played a crucial role during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
2. Imperial Era and Foreign Invasions:
During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 (known as the Boxer Uprising or the Gengzi Incident), the Eight-Nation Alliance, including British forces, attacked Beijing. The external city wall was breached, and areas within the city were occupied. This marked the first significant breach in the city wall’s integrity.
3. Destruction During the Boxer Rebellion:
Various city structures, including arrow towers and gates like Zhengyangmen, Chongwenmen, and Chaoyangmen, suffered damage or destruction during the Boxer Rebellion and subsequent foreign occupation.
4. Railway Expansion and Alterations:
In the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion, foreign forces made alterations to the city. The British, for instance, extended the railway terminus to locations such as Zhengyangmen and created new railway lines, leading to modifications in the city structure.
5. Continued Alterations in the Early 20th Century:
In the early 20th century, further changes were made, including the extension of railways and the creation of additional railway lines, such as those at Dongbianmen and Xibianmen.
6. Post-Boxer Rebellion Reconstruction and Partial Demolition:
After the Boxer Rebellion, efforts were made to reconstruct certain structures like Zhengyangmen and Chaoyangmen. However, the arrow towers and gates at various locations were damaged or completely destroyed, affecting the overall integrity of the city wall.
7. 20th Century Rebuilding and Alterations:
Throughout the 20th century, various structures underwent repairs, modifications, and, in some cases, were reconstructed. However, the preservation efforts were not uniform, leading to the loss of some historically significant parts of the city wall.
8. World War II and Japanese Occupation:
During the Japanese occupation in the 1930s and 1940s, new openings were made in the city wall, such as the creation of gates like Qimingmen and Chang’anmen, altering the original layout.
9. Post-World War II Changes:
After World War II, additional alterations were made for various reasons, including transportation improvements, which involved the opening of new gaps and railway passages.
10. 1950s and Large-Scale Demolition:
In the 1950s, the Beijing city government, as part of urban development initiatives, decided on large-scale demolition of the city wall. This decision led to the systematic and organized removal of significant sections of both the outer and inner city walls.
11. 1958 Decision for Complete Demolition:
In 1958, a decision was made to completely demolish both the outer and inner city walls. This decision was implemented, leading to the removal of most of the remaining city wall structures.
12. Cultural Revolution and Impact on Preservation:
The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) further complicated the preservation efforts, as the focus shifted away from cultural heritage, and destruction occurred at several historical sites.
13. Continued Demolition in the 1960s and 1970s:
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the demolition of city wall structures continued, including the removal of iconic landmarks like Chongwenmen.
14. Public Resistance and Preservation Efforts:
Some intellectuals and experts opposed the demolition, emphasizing the historical and cultural significance of the city wall. However, these voices were often overshadowed by the prevailing political climate.
15. Late 20th Century and Reconstruction:
- In the late 20th century and early 21st century, efforts were made to rebuild certain sections of the city wall, such as the reconstruction of Yongdingmen in 2004 (Beijing Ming City Wall Ruins Park). However, this was not a complete restoration, and some structures remain lost.
16. Legacy and Controversy:
The demolition of Beijing’s old city wall remains a subject of controversy and regret. While some sections have been reconstructed, the complete restoration of the original structure is impossible.
In summary, the tearing down of the old Beijing city wall was a gradual process influenced by historical events, foreign invasions, urban development needs, and political decisions. The result is a mixture of lost heritage, reconstructed sections, and ongoing efforts to preserve what remains of this historic structure.