A Military Site Transformed

The story of Jinming Pond begins not as a leisure destination, but as a strategic military installation. In 976 AD, Emperor Taizong of the Northern Song Dynasty ordered the excavation of this massive artificial lake outside Kaifeng’s Shuntian Gate, directly facing the imperial Qionglin Garden across the street. Historical records from Ye Mengde’s Shilin Yanyu reveal its original purpose: “Qionglin Garden was established during the Qiande era (963-968), and in the Taiping Xingguo period (976-984), Jinming Pond was dug north of the garden, fed by the Jinshui River to train the Divine Guard and Tiger Wing naval forces.”

Spanning approximately 1.5 square kilometers (about 2,200 acres) – equivalent to two Beihai Parks – this engineering marvel initially served as a training ground for water combat maneuvers. Archaeological surveys in 2005 confirmed its impressive dimensions: 1,240 meters east-west and 1,230 meters north-south. However, as the Song Dynasty entered a prolonged period of stability, this military facility underwent a remarkable transformation that would redefine urban leisure in imperial China.

The Golden Age of Water Spectacles

By the late Taiping Xingguo era (983 AD), Jinming Pond had shed its martial character, evolving into a dazzling entertainment complex. Contemporary accounts describe its new identity: “The pond resembles Han Dynasty’s Kunming Pool, the garden recalls Zhou Dynasty’s Lingpu – together forming perfect grounds for imperial banquets and excursions.” The once-spartan training grounds now boasted ornate pavilions, weeping willows, and flowering trees, setting the stage for spectacular aquatic performances.

The Dream Pool Essays (东京梦华录) by Meng Yuanlao and the surviving Jinming Pond Racing Diagram (now in Tianjin Museum) provide detailed records of the pond’s layout and activities. Key features included:

– The Waterfront Palace: Originally a simple tented structure, rebuilt during Emperor Huizong’s reign (1111-1118) as permanent architecture where emperors hosted banquets
– The Rainbow Bridge: A crimson-lacquered marvel with three arches spanning hundreds of feet, leading to…
– Five-Island Palace: The pond’s centerpiece where even commoners could gamble and enjoy snacks
– Treasure Ford Tower: An observation deck in Qionglin Garden offering panoramic views

The annual “Pond Opening” each spring transformed Jinming into a carnival of water performances:

1. Naval Demonstrations: By 1013, these had become choreographed shows dazzling spectators with synchronized maneuvers
2. Aquatic Acrobatics: Including the breathtaking “water swing” where performers executed mid-air somersaults into the pond
3. Marionette Theater: Mechanical puppets that fished, danced, and even played soccer on floating stages
4. Dragon Boat Racing: The highlight featuring 20 small dragon boats, 10 tiger-head vessels, and elaborate formation drills before the final sprint

Breaking Class Barriers: China’s First Public Park

What made Jinming Pond truly revolutionary was its accessibility. Contrary to later imperial practices, the Song government actively encouraged public enjoyment of this royal space. Historical documents reveal:

– Official proclamations announced: “From March 1st, by imperial decree, Jinming Pond opens to all citizens. The Censorate shall not interfere.”
– When initial turnout proved low, authorities extended the season and increased publicity
– By the Xuanhe era (1119-1125), nighttime openings attracted nobles with “vermilion carriages and fine steeds”

The Dream Pool Essays paints a vibrant picture of commercial activity:

“Along the eastern bank stood colorful tents for rent, food stalls, gambling booths, performance stages, and even pawnshops offering travel loans. At the Five-Island Palace, vendors sold snacks amid gambling games, while visitors proudly carried home prizes won at ring-toss games.”

Even fishing became a commercial venture – anglers purchased permits, then sold their catch to nearby restaurants that prepared fresh sashimi. This unprecedented public access inspired poetic tributes:

“By the shore, a thousand blossoms glow,
Through willow-lined paths, visitors flow.
At Jinming’s waters I recall,
How crimson skirts watched scholars stroll.”

Cultural Legacy and Disappearance

Jinming Pond became ingrained in Song popular culture as:

1. The Premier Dating Spot: Countless romantic tales in Yijian Zhi and other collections begin with chance encounters at the pond
2. An Urban Icon: Featured in numerous paintings and poems as a symbol of Kaifeng’s vibrancy
3. A Political Metaphor: Representing the ideal of rulers sharing pleasures with commoners

Tragically, this golden age ended with the fall of Northern Song in 1127. When Southern Song officials revisited Kaifeng, they found only “collapsed beams and broken walls.” Later dynasties failed to revive its public spirit – Yuan and Ming paintings of Jinming show empty stands reserved solely for royalty, reflecting lost institutional memory.

By the Qing Dynasty, officials marveled at Vienna’s public palaces, unaware their own ancestors had pioneered such openness centuries earlier. Jinming Pond’s legacy endures as a remarkable experiment in premodern public space – a military site turned democratic playground where, for 150 glorious years, emperors and commoners alike reveled under the same willows.