Where Lanes Meet Water: The Yuhe Site and the Chengqing Sluice

北京有一条“胡同中的运河”，坐落在什刹海东边的胡同中。它有一个美丽的名字——玉河。它为什么叫做这个名字？它在北京的古代水利工程中起到了什么样的作用？今天，我们将一起了解玉河的故事，一同探索这段历史悠久的水道，感受它与北京古老街区的深厚联系。

There is a "canal in the hutong" in Beijing, nestled in the alleys east of Shichahai. It has a beautiful name—Yuhe River, or Jade River. Why is it called this name? What role did it play in Beijing's ancient water conservancy projects? Today, I will learn about the story of the Jade River, explore this historic waterway together, and experience its deep connection with Beijing's ancient neighborhoods.

这里就是玉河遗址。这条河曾是元代通惠河的重要组成部分，它穿行于老北京的胡同中，见证了这座城市的繁荣与变迁。这座桥叫做“东不压桥”，是一座元代古桥。经过考古挖掘，下面可以看到桥基结构的遗迹。

This river was once an important part of the Tonghui River during the Yuan Dynasty. It meandered through the old hutongs of Beijing, witnessing the prosperity and transformation of this city.This bridge is called Dongbuya Bridge, an ancient Yuan Dynasty bridge. Through archaeological excavations, the remains of its foundation are now visible beneath us.”

玉河是北京城内一条极具历史意义的水道，元代时作为通惠河的重要组成部分，全长近8公里，是大运河千里漕运进京的最后一段。它起自什刹海，经万宁桥、东不压桥流入皇城，不仅承担漕运、供水、排水之职，被百姓称为“御河”。明代初期，随着城墙南移，加上通惠河水源白浮泉逐渐枯竭，玉河水量锐减，运河功能日渐式微，玉河也逐步淡出人们的视野。近年来，考古发掘陆续揭示出元、明、清三代的河道遗迹与桥基，人们得以再次亲近这条承载着北京水运记忆的古河道。

The Yuhe River is a waterway of great historical significance within Beijing. During the Yuan Dynasty, it served as an important part of the Tonghui River. Stretching nearly 8 kilometers, it was the final section of the Grand Canal that carried grain all the way into the capital. Originating from Shichahai, it passed Wanning Bridge and Dongbuya Bridge before flowing into the Imperial City. More than just a transport channel, Yuhe also provided water supply and drainage, earning the name “Imperial River” (Yu He) among the people.

In the early Ming Dynasty, however, as the city walls were shifted southward and the Bai Fu Spring—the source of the Tonghui River—gradually dried up, the water volume of Yuhe diminished, its canal functions declined, and the river slowly faded from public view.

In recent years, archaeological excavations have gradually revealed riverbed remains and bridge foundations from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. These findings allow people once again to reconnect with this ancient waterway that carried the memory of Beijing’s water transport.

“这是一个水闸，叫做‘澄清中闸’。我记得在不远的地方，万宁桥那里也有一座水闸。这些水闸为什么离得如此之近呢？”

“Here is an information board about the relics. Let’s take a look together. It says this was a water gate known as Chengqing Zhongzha (Central Chengqing Sluice). I recall there is also a water gate not far from here, near Wan Ning Bridge. Why were these sluices built so close to each other?”

澄清闸分为上中下三部分，是元代水利专家郭守敬为解决大运河西北高、东南低的落差，方便漕运，在通惠河沿线修建的船闸体系的一部分。2013年，澄清上闸、中闸作为京杭大运河的重要组成部分被列入全国重点文物保护单位。

The Chengqing Sluices consisted of three parts – upper, middle, and lower. They were part of a lock system built along the Tonghui River by Guo Shoujing, a renowned hydraulic engineer of the Yuan Dynasty, to overcome the elevation difference between the higher northwest and the lower southeast, thus facilitating canal transport. In 2006, these three sluices were inscribed as a nationally protected cultural heritage site as an important component of the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal.

2006年，北京启动“玉河历史文化恢复工程”，复原河道达1.05公里，部分恢复了老北京古都的历史水系。如今的玉河重现了古都风貌，将东皇城的轮廓勾勒出来，补充了中轴线景观格局。作为大运河文化的展示空间，在这里古老水脉循着都市节奏延展，筑就一方闹中取静、今古交织的洞天。

In 2006, Beijing launched the “Yuhe Historical and Cultural Restoration Project,” which restored 1.05 kilometers of the river channel and partially revived the historical water system of the old capital. Today, the Yuhe River once again presents the appearance of the ancient city, outlining the contours of the Eastern Imperial City and complementing the landscape pattern of the Central Axis. As a cultural space showcasing the heritage of the Grand Canal, the area now hosts cafés and shared spaces that offer tranquility amidst the bustle, allowing the ancient Yuhe to blend and coexist with the modern metropolis.

在胡同中，人与水相伴相依。水系作为市民生活的舞台，令我们看到的不仅是古老的建筑和街道，更是曾经生活在这里的人的故事。随着时代的变迁，胡同逐渐被现代化的生活所包围，但玉河修缮工程等保护工程使得它们依然保留了自己的历史和文化。漫步在这里，我们仿佛能够回到那个运河四通八达的时代。

In the hutongs, water and people have always coexisted, bound together. Waterways served as a stage for everyday life, showing us not only ancient buildings and streets but also the stories of those who once lived here. With the passage of time, these hutongs have gradually been surrounded by modern life. Yet, thanks to preservation projects like the Yuhe Restoration, they continue to retain their history and culture. Walking here, we can almost return to that era when the canal system connected every corner of the city.

从漕运要道到休闲空间，玉河承载着北京的城市记忆和情感。每一段河流、每一座桥梁、每一条胡同，都讲述着古老的故事，延续着传统的根脉。随着现代城市的发展，历史遗迹为我们保留着与过去的联系，让我们在追求未来时，不忘记从何处来。

From a vital canal route to a leisure space, the Yuhe River carries the urban memory and emotions of Beijing. Every stretch of river, every bridge, and every alley is connected to ancient stories and threads of tradition. As the modern city develops, these historical relics continue to preserve our ties to the past, reminding us not to forget where we came from even as we pursue the 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.