A Study On Waterside People In Modern Jinan

In modern times,Jinan was a regional central city with crisscross water systems,convenient transportation,and resource accumulation.The developed water transportation not only carried a large number of goods and personnel flows,but also formed a large number of people who depended on water for their livelihood,including merchants,shipowners,dockworkers,and entertainers.The close relationship between the water transportation system and urban development and people’s lives is relatively rare in northern cities.The modern Jinan water system covers the Daqing River(Yellow River),Xiaoqing River,moat,Darning Lake,Baotu Spring,etc.Since modern times,the Yellow River,the Xiaoqing River,and the moat have gradually become interconnected,making transportation more convenient.The water transportation system had an important impact on the economy of modern Jinan.A steady stream of raw materials and commodities were transported into and out of Jinan through the Daqing River(Yellow River)and Xiaoqing River,providing raw materials and sales channels for the development of modern industry and commercial industry in Jinan.From the modern times on,the inner city water system Baotu Spring and Daming Lake,have been opened to the general public,becoming tourist attractions,driving the development of tourism and commerce around the two places.These water systems have jointly promoted the development of Jinan’s urban economy.The life of Jinan’s waterside communities are deeply affected by water.The commercial territory of salt merchants,inn merchants and ass hide glue merchants was created by water,and they exerted influence on water in turn.As a core group,the business activities of merchant groups also exert influence on other groups.Boat owners live on water all year round,which deeply affects their clothing,food,housing,and transportation,shaping their culture and beliefs.The working place of the hauling workers is the waterfront wharf,and they mainly rely on hauling raw materials and commodities for their livelihood.Their livelihood is seasonally due to water transportation.Shopkeepers later opened factories near the water(and later formed docks),leading to a group of factory workers working near the water.The raw materials they process come from the water,and the products they produce are transported through the water.The development of industry and commerce has led to the gathering of people,which has spawned new demands.Small handicraftsmen and small traders have gathered at the main docks to meet these newly emerging demands.Baotu Spring and Daming Lake are well-known.Citizens and tourists come to enjoy the water,creating a large demand for entertainment.As a result,the artist community made a living by performing in small pavilions and tents on the banks of both places.Until the opening of a new market in Jinan’s commercial port in 1916,Daming Lake and Baotu Spring were the most prosperous places in Jinan’s entertainment industry.