The `城墙` is a cornerstone of traditional Chinese urban planning and cultural psychology. For millennia, a settlement was not truly considered a “city” (`城`) unless it was enclosed by a wall. These walls served several critical functions: 1. Defense: The primary purpose was military defense against invading armies, nomads, and bandits. Features like gates (`城门`), moats (`护城河`), and watchtowers were integral parts of this system. 2. Order and Administration: The wall was a clear line of demarcation. It controlled access, enabled the collection of taxes and tolls at its gates, and symbolized the emperor's or magistrate's control over the territory within. 3. Psychological Security: The wall provided a profound sense of security and identity for its inhabitants. To be “inside the walls” meant to be part of an orderly, civilized society, while the world outside was often perceived as chaotic or dangerous. Comparison to Western Culture: While medieval European cities also had walls, the scale, cultural centrality, and longevity of the Chinese `城墙` are distinct. In the West, many city walls were torn down during the Renaissance or Industrial Revolution to allow for expansion. In China, city walls remained central to urban life until the 20th century. The act of tearing down a city wall, as was done in Beijing in the 1950s to build a ring road, was a deeply symbolic and controversial act of modernization, seen by many as severing the city from its historical roots.
In contemporary China, `城墙` is used in several contexts:
The term carries a neutral-to-positive connotation, evoking feelings of grandeur, history, and national pride.