Beyond the bustling city of Beijing stands a tribute to a brilliant mind the GUO Shoujing Statue Sculpture. This is no ordinary statue. It commemorates Guo Shoujing. He was a giant in science and engineering during the Yuan Dynasty.
Guo Shoujing was born in 1231. He came from a poor family in Hebei Province. He became a child prodigy. His grandfather a renowned genius educated him. Even as a teenager Guo designed and improved timekeeping devices. He also worked on astronomical observation tools. He invented the gnomon and simplified armilla. Some of his designs are at the Beijing Ancient Observatory.
At twenty Guo became a hydraulic engineer. This field would define his most lasting achievements. Kublai Khan tasked him with providing water to Dadu. Dadu was the new capital of China now known as Beijing. Guo designed and built canals and irrigation systems. He upgraded the Grand Canal that ran from Hangzhou to Dadu. He repeated these feats across the empire. He was also chief advisor to the Emperor in mathematics and astronomy. He truly was the biggest brain in 13th century China.
The Guo Shoujing Memorial Hall is a lovely place. It sits atop an artificial hill at the north end of Xihai Lake. Xihai is the most northern of Beijing’s lake system. In Guo’s time this was Jishuitan Lake. It was the main water source for the Yuan Dynasty capital. Guo Shoujing’s canals fed this lake making it a fitting place for his memorial.
A walk around these lakes is a great way to reach the memorial. The Jishuitan Subway Station keeps the old lake name alive. The memorial sits above a restaurant. It is perfect for an expensive lunch after exploring the science.
The memorial is free to enter. It is laid out in traditional Chinese style. It has central and side buildings like a temple. Two statues of Guo Shoujing are on display. One stands at the foot of the hill. He points at Xihai Lake as if saying I give you water. The other statue shows him seated and looking clever inside the museum.
There are five small exhibition halls. Four were open during a recent visit. One hall details Guo Shoujing’s life. The introduction and major parts are translated into English. Another hall covers the New Dadu Water Resources Project. It shows Guo’s water diversion and canal projects. Maps illustrate the information clearly. One hall focuses on the Tongzhou-Dadu Canal. A model map and video show the project’s development. Another hall describes Guo’s other water projects around the country. Explanations and maps show the changes to Jishuitan Lake. It became the series of lakes we enjoy today.
An hour is enough time to see everything at the Guo Shoujing Memorial. The picturesque building is worth visiting. The Xihai area is lovely. Even with the Second Ring Road rumble it is a nice place to walk. Don’t miss the models of Guo’s astronomical innovations. They are on the north side of the hill. Ancient stone stelae erected to honor him are still in place.
A visit here is highly recommended. It doesn’t matter if you are interested in hydraulics astronomy science or history. The Guo Shoujing Memorial Hall is a nice place. The price is right. Only the lack of a gift shop lets it down. The GUO Shoujing Statue Sculpture and memorial hall offer a glimpse into the mind of a true genius. His contributions shaped Beijing and China for centuries. Take a moment to appreciate his legacy.