Forbidden City's ancient drainage prevents flooding despite severe rainstorm
Updated: 2016-07-22 10:56
By Chen Liubing(chinadaily.com.cn)
|
|||||||||
Floods can be drained off in 20 minutes thanks to the sound drainage system. [Photo from Sina Weibo] |
Beijing was hit with severe rainstorms on July 20 with many roads becoming waterlogged. The 600-year-old Palace Museum, or Forbidden City, however, remained free of flooding, largely due to its sound, ancient drainage system, news portal bjnew.com.cn reported on Friday.
More than 30,000 tourists visited the Forbidden City that day despite of the heavy rain, according to a staff member of the Forbidden City.
Built during the Ming dynasty, the Forbidden City was well maintained over the past few centuries. According to an insider at the Forbidden City, floods can be drained off in 20 minutes thanks to the sound drainage system of the complex.
Three types of drainage systems, the buildings, surface runoff, and under drains make up the complex system of the site, according to an ancient architecture expert of the Palace Museum. "Rain falls on the surface of the buildings and can further drop onto the ground along the glazed roof tiles," said the expert.
The nearly 2-meter altitude difference between the 46.05 meter high north gate (the Gate of Divine Might) and the 44.28 meter high south gate (the Meridian Gate) of the Palace Museum created favorable conditions for natural drainage.
The ground of the Forbidden City follows the sloping terrain of Beijing, with higher elevations in the northwest and lower elevations in the southeast, which enables the smooth drainage of water. The gardens in the palace are also higher in the middle and lower on both sides to facilitate water movement.
Take the three front halls as an example: the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony are built on three steps. The drainage holes at the base of the steps avert the steps from flooding.
Every garden and courtyard has open and blind drainage pipes, which make the Forbidden City floodproof.
Artificial drainage systems, including ditches, branches, culverts, and drain holes complete the whole drainage network, added the expert.
Even the drainage system is intricately carved-with water flowing out the mouths of the dragons to disperse excess water. If the ancient system is damaged, it is quickly repaired by staff, the expert added. "But the rebuilt areas only takes up less than 10 percent of the whole system." Drainage pipes lead to the Inner Golden River outside of the city. Even after hundreds of years, the drainage system still functions well.
The ancient drainage system also works together with the modern system to regulate the water level of the Inner Golden River, added the expert, under cooperation between the Palace Museum and the Beijing Water Authority, according to the report.
Related Stories
Rain brings chaos to Northeast China 2016-07-21 16:46
Forbidden City in heavy rain 2016-07-21 14:31
Heavy rain leaves roads in Beijing inundated 2016-07-20 15:17
Heavy rain, floods across China 2016-07-20 10:59
Today's Top News
UK to keep close economic ties with Germany: May
China's Fosun buys UK's Wolves for 45 million pounds
Rio 2016: Russia loses doping appeal
Brussels police: Bomb aleart was false alarm
May takes center stage in parliament's box-office show
Turkey's failed coup to consolidate Erdogan's power
Republican Party nominates Trump for president
IMF to cut global growth forecasts after Brexit vote
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Hollywood snaps up rock star's dog film |
Chinese people welcome dispossessed |
The can-do generation to the fore |
Riding the wave |
Leisure giants buoy cruise market |
She followed her heart |