Drainage Channel of the Ancient Qi Capital

Drainage Channel of the Ancient Qi Capital

The Drainage Channel of the Ancient Qi Capital is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

The layout of the drainage system in the ancient Qi capital was meticulously designed and scientifically planned according to the natural terrain, which is higher in the south and lower in the north within the city. Three major drainage systems and four drainage channel outlets have been identified. Additionally, deep moats were dug outside the southern and northern walls of both the Greater and Lesser Cities, connecting them east-west with the Zi River and the Ji River, forming an integrated water system that encircled the city on all sides.

The drainage system of the Lesser City is located in the northwest, starting from the southeast of the “Huan Gong Terrace,” passing through the eastern and northern parts of the terrace, and flowing into the Ji River through a drainage outlet beneath the western wall. The Greater City has two drainage systems. One is in the northeast of the Greater City, running northward along the eastern wall and discharging into the Zi River through a drainage outlet under the eastern wall. The other is in the west, consisting of one north-south and one east-west waterway. The drainage channel outlet here was excavated and cleared in 1980. It is 43 meters long from east to west, 7 meters wide from north to south, and 3 meters deep. It was constructed with massive natural stones, featuring three tiers of square water holes on different levels, five on each tier. The stones inside the holes are arranged in a crisscross pattern, allowing water to flow through the gaps while preventing people from passing. This scientifically engineered structure, capable of both drainage and defense, is rare in the history of ancient city drainage system architecture from the same era.