Looking at Beijing within the framework of trees, stone and water is a way of appreciating the city's heritage, based on a sPecial relationship of man and nature. In the process of exploring Beijing's ancient ruins, what I often found as markers of the past were a well or spring, a couple of gnarled pines and sometimes a stele or an abandoned stone cave. They took on the mantle of the sites' history.
It was these three aspects of nature that held Beijing's past. They helped me define and respond to the sites I was searching for. Often they maintained the atmosphere of these places, long after rituals there ceased. They also helped me remember one place from another and gave me their energy. Moreover, they led me to the people of Beijing, who readily shared their knowledge and stories.
Preface 5
Aged Trees as Living History 8
Introduction 12
Pairs of Trees Welcome Visitors 24
Lone Sentinels of the Past 34
Beijing's Oldest Trees 42
Along the Old Pilgrim Paths 52
Time Capsules 58
Trees Left at Former Imperial Villas 72
Grave Markers 78
Nicknames 82
Decorating Trees 92
Trees in Jeopardy lOO
Planting of New Trees lo8
Stone Reflections of the Past
Introduction 122
Beijing's Ancient Stone Villages 132
Surviving Steles 14o
Stones and Temples 152
Stone Bridges 166
Stone Animals 174
Stone Paths 188
Buddhas of Stone 198
Stone and the Environment 212
Nourishing Water Resources 222
Introduction 926
Dragons and Fengshui 938
Surrounding Rivers 25o
Lakes and Imperial Gardens 26o
A Few Old Wells 268
Refreshing Ancient Springs 976
Wandering along Historic Canals 992
Water Traces of Imperial Capitals 3oo
Precious Water Resources 31o
Epilogue 319
Chronology of Beijing History 322
Index of Place Names 323