南北朝的客馆及其地理位置

客馆为传统中国外交上的重要机构,由地主国设立,以接待归附者、使节、人质、入朝藩王、沙门与留学生等各种不同身分的外国人,试图落实招抚荒远、万国宾服的理想。南北朝时,客馆在数量与规制上有明显的发展,它除了解决外国人的食宿需求,也是重要的外交折冲场所。南北朝的客馆乃是拥有许多馆舍,颇具规模的馆区。客馆的方位受到城市格局变化的影响,南北朝以后,多位于城南。其地理位置也从城郭外向宫城靠近,且通常位于南北中轴线的通衢上。

The Guest Houses and Their Locations during the Period of Northern and Southern Dynasties

The guest houses(客馆) built by the host countries during the Period of Northern and Southern Dynasties(420-589) were an important institution in traditional Chinese diplomacy.They served to receive a variety of foreigners,such as envoys,hostages,feudal lords who came to pay homage to the court,monks,students,and those who surrendered from unfriendly states.This institution served to realize the goal of bringing distant countries into the tributary system. During the Period of Northern and Southern Dynasties,the number and organization of the guest houses underwent obvious developments.The guest houses not only provided accommodation and food to the foreigners,but also was an important place for celebrating diplomatic ceremonies.A guest house was unlikely a building standing on its own.It should be an area with more structures in it.Structural changes in the cities influenced the locations where guest houses were built.During the Period of Northern and Southern Dynasties,they were often established in the southern part of the capital city.Moreover,they gradually moved closer to the palace from the outskirt of the city,particularly alone the north-south thoroughfare.