36 C O N T E X T 1 4 9 : M A Y 2 0 1 7 SUN PEIFANG Hangzhou’s old and new heritages Hangzhou is typical of many older Chinese cities in proudly presenting a mix of apparently ‘historic’ buildings, ranging from survivals from past centuries to radical reconstructions. Some of Hangzhou’s apparently ‘historic’ environments comprise largely intact survivals from past centuries, including the 20th, while others result from radical attempts at the reconstruction or reshaping of important monuments. Orthodox conservation theory draws a sharp distinction, even a polarisation, between these two approaches, labelling one ‘authentic’ and the other ‘false’ or ‘damaging’ to the heritage. An alternative, more positive and inclusive interpretation is possible, which recognises both approaches as equally valid, with the elements co-existing in the cumulative mosaic that makes up a contemporary ‘historic city’. Hangzhou is one of the most historic cities in China, a place where the march of time is still clearly legible in the landscape, and in its houses and public buildings. In most areas of China, wood was, for many centuries, usually the main building material. Hangzhou was no exception, and many traditional buildings in the city were wood-framed. Over the past century many historic timber buildings fell into disrepair. Fortunately, people began to realise the importance of architectural conservation, and efforts to save the city’s original fabric in the past decades have significantly helped ensure the survival of this charming city. But the surviving historic fabric is not all ancient: it includes significant elements from the late 19th or early 20th centuries, in the form of Western-style classical or modernist buildings, often in close proximity to more ancient structures. The co-existence of these different architectural styles stems mainly from the increasing cultural hybridity of China in the years following the Opium War (1840s), when the metaphorical gates of ancient China were flung open by the artillery fire of foreign powers, and overseas influence in architectural culture emerged. The diversity of Hangzhou’s heritage goes beyond this obvious juxtaposition of old and new.While some of its components comprise largely intact buildings, or sites that have experienced relatively conservative conservation work, some others, such as the facsimile-like replacement of the damaged DrumTower, are the result of radical attempts of reconstruction or restoration that diverge significantly from conventional conservationist concepts of authenticity and integrity. Qinghe-Fang Historic Street, the most famous cultural and historic street in Hangzhou, is located at the northern foot ofWushan Hill, a few hundred metres away from theWest Lake.The history of Qinghe-Fang Street began in the time of the Southern Dynasty (1127–1279), when Hangzhou served as the capital city. A mansion house belonging to Zhang Jun, the king of Qinghe, was located here. Qinghe-Fang Historic Street. Its renowned buildings are fronted by old gateways or brick walls (Photo: Sun Peifang)
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