Meet With Culture | Harnessing the Waters: Huitong Temple and Jishuitan

北京地铁积水潭站中有一面非常美丽的壁画墙，描绘了波光粼粼的水下世界，锦鲤自由游弋嬉戏。元代的积水潭曾是大运河漕粮运输的“终点站”，漕船往来不绝。今天就让我们由此开始，走入这段历史故事。

In Beijing’s Jishuitan subway station, there is a beautiful mural wall that depicts a shimmering underwater world, with ko fish swimming freely. In the Yuan Dynasty, Jishuitan was the ‘terminal station’ for transporting grain along the Grand Canal, where countless boats gathered. Today, let’s begin here and step into this chapter of history.

汇通祠坐落在在什刹海西海北岸，始建于明代。现在，这里是纪念元代著名天文学家、水利学家郭守敬的纪念馆。清代重修汇通祠时，这里曾留下一座乾隆御制碑，诗词描写了旧时积水潭胜景。作为天文学家，郭守敬将浑仪改造为简仪，实现了中国天文仪器制造史上的一大飞跃。

The Huitong Temple is located on the northern bank of Xihai in Shichahai and was originally built during the Ming Dynasty. Today, it serves as the Guo Shoujing Memorial Hall, commemorating the renowned Yuan Dynasty astronomer and hydraulic engineer.

During the Qing Dynasty, when the temple was renovated, an imperial stele inscribed by Emperor Qianlong was erected here, its poems depicting the former scenic beauty of Jishuitan Pond.

As an astronomer, Guo Shoujing transformed the traditional armillary sphere into the simplified instrument (jianyi), marking a major leap forward in the history of Chinese astronomical instrument making.

郭守敬是杰出的水利学家，对河北、宁夏水利及京杭大运河的开通都作出了巨大贡献，惠及子孙后代，有治水“神人”之称。他在天文学上的成就蜚声世界，创编《授时历》，领导规模空前的天文测量，制造仪器仪表，多项发明领先世界水平，科学成就享誉中外。

Guo Shoujing was a brilliant hydraulic engineer, earning the title of ‘divine master of waterworks.’ His contributions stretched across Hebei, Ningxia, and the Grand Canal, bringing benefits to generations. Beyond water management, his achievements in astronomy also won international renown. He devised the Shoushi Calendar, led one of the largest astronomical surveys in history, and invented precision instruments—many of which were centuries ahead of their time. His scientific accomplishments are celebrated worldwide.

郭守敬最为人所知的功绩之一是促成了京杭大运河的全线贯通。隋唐时期，已开凿以洛阳为中枢的大运河沟通南北物资，但当时北端止于通州未能直达京城，漕运至通州后仍需改用陆路转运，运输效率受限。

为彻底改变这一局面，郭守敬主持漕运水系改造，规划引白浮泉水、开通惠河，并在沿线设置二十四闸，运用斗门、船闸等工程设施，巧妙解决了在京城“逆水行舟”的高差难题，使河道水位得以科学调控。

经过这一系列举措，南方漕船得以直达元大都城内，大幅提升了粮食与物资运输效率。京杭大运河全线贯通，对政权巩固、经济发展、文化交流都有着重大意义。

Among Guo's greatest achievements was helping complete the Grand Canal’s full connection.

During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Grand Canal was excavated with Luoyang as its central hub, linking the flow of goods between north and south. However, its northern terminus ended at Tongzhou and did not reach the capital directly, meaning that shipments had to be transferred to land transport after arriving in Tongzhou, which limited efficiency.

To fundamentally resolve this problem, Guo Shoujing oversaw the renovation of the canal system. He planned the diversion of water from the Baifu Spring, opened the Tonghui River, and established twenty-four sluice gates along the route. By employing water gates and lock systems, he ingeniously solved the challenge of “sailing against the current” into the capital, allowing water levels to be scientifically regulated.

Thanks to these measures, grain barges from the south could sail directly into Yuan Dadu, greatly improving the transport of food and supplies. The full connection of the Grand Canal had profound significance for consolidating political power, boosting economic development, and fostering cultural exchange.

元代时北京城人口激增，新开的大运河促进了物资的运输，是北京城的“生命线”。而我们所在的积水潭，正是大运河的终点。另外，积水潭与元大都的布局也有关联。

In the Yuan Dynasty, Beijing’s population grew rapidly. The newly extended Grand Canal became the lifeline of the city, ensuring the steady transport of grain and goods. And right here, Jishuitan Pond was the canal’s final terminus. 

I also learned that Jishuitan Pond was closely linked to the planning of Yuan Dadu, the capital itself.

元大都选址时，之前金中都依靠的莲花池水系已经无法满足需要，因此依据积水潭的位置，定都于金中都东北。

When the Yuan capital was established, the earlier water system around Jinzhongdu’s Lotus Pond could no longer meet the city’s needs. Based on the location of Jishuitan Pond, Yuan Dadu was built northeast of Jinzhongdu. This decision set the stage for the future layout of Beijing.

此后明清两代北京城位置基本在元大都城址基础上有所微调。可以说，积水潭的方位、郭守敬的治水措施，不仅对北京水系有深远影响，还对此后北京城市规划有着重要影响。

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the location of Beijing shifted slightly from the foundations of Yuan Dadu. One can say that the position of Jishuitan Pond, combined with Guo Shoujing’s water management works, influenced not only the city’s waterways but also its long-term urban planning.

沿着西海漫步，这里曾是重要的水道，现在已经转变为美丽的公园。这片宁静的湖泊曾经是北京航运和贸易的繁忙中心。

郭守敬建造的水利设施是他的不朽遗产，依旧在城市的肌理中延续。对于一座城市而言，水系不仅是功能性的基础设施，更是文化遗产，连接着城市的过去与未来。

Walking along the West Sea today, it is hard to believe this tranquil park was once a key waterway and a hub of trade. Guo Shoujing’s hydraulic projects remain his enduring legacy, embedded within the fabric of the city. For Beijing, water systems are not only functional infrastructure but also cultural heritage—bridges between the city’s past and its future.

出品人：王晓辉

Executive Producer: Wang Xiaohui

总监制：薛立胜

Chief Supervisor: Xue Lisheng

总策划：蔚力

Chief Planner: Yu Li

制片：张芃芃

Producer: Zhang Pengpeng

策划：张芃芃 丁素云 曹川川 李颖

Creative Planning: Zhang Pengpeng, Ding Suyun, Cao Chuanchuan, Li Ying

导演：龚小磊

Director: Gong Xiaolei

撰稿：张芃芃

Screenwriter: Zhang Pengpeng

主持人：荣希玛 (Chaima El Moujradi) 劳拉 (Laura Ugalde) 德密柰 (Marina Dech)

Hosts: Chaima El Moujradi, Laura Ugalde, Marina Dech

摄像：李春浩 王恺琦

Cinematography: Li Chunhao, Wang Kaiqi

跟机：王俊胜

Camera Assistant: Wang Junsheng

剪辑：王恺琦 顾钧予 刘泽敖

Editing: Wang Kaiqi, Gu Junyu, Liu Zeao

调色：康凯

Color Grading: Kang Kai

混音：康凯

Sound Mixing: Kang Kai

推广：孟超 李昭 姜壹平 苏向东 丁素云 王雁青 葛蕾 秦金月 张静

Promotion: Meng Chao, Li Zhao, Jiang Yiping, Su Xiangdong, Ding Suyun, Wang Yanqing, Ge Lei, Qin Jinyue, Zhang Jing

节目承制：大音

Produced by: NEWSAYING (Shanghai) Consulting and Planning Co., Ltd.