As one of the first nationally recognized historical and cultural cities, Datong is imbued with the profound history of the Northern Wei, Liao, and Jin dynasties, leaving behind masterpieces such as the Yungang Grottoes, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, and Shanhua Temple. In modern times, Datong rapidly evolved into a vital energy base in northern China, during which its glorious historical and cultural heritage was once overshadowed. Since 2008, the proposal of the "One Axis, Twin Cities" framework marked the beginning of the cultural revival of the ancient city, allowing the splendor of this historic city to reemerge and flourish.

The construction of JISHANXIANG · Datong unfolded amidst this historical process. Located within the Southeast Yi Historical and Cultural Block, which is guided by the principle of "living heritage," the project places greater emphasis on micro-level content and operational aspects, aiming to transform the area into a cultural salon and urban destination for Datong. The development of JISHANXIANG · Datong is intrinsically linked to the formation of the Southeast Yi Block and the broader regeneration of the ancient city. As the architectural design firm for the hotel, GOA partnered with JISHANXIANG over five years, participating in the entire journey of realizing the hotel.

In 2019, when the hotel was first proposed, beneath the dust-covered façade of the ancient city, the clear chessboard-like street layout of "four main streets, eight lanes, and seventy-two alleyways" remained visible, narrating the history of Datong as a city that shaped the ancient Chinese "lifang" (neighborhood) system. Under such conditions, JISHANXIANG · Datong faced a dual mission: to serve as a space for visitor experiences and to function as a significant urban architectural landmark within the ancient city. From the outset, the architects firmly advocated: "The texture of the ancient city should be fully respected, not opposed." Thus, the hotel's architectural form does not compete sculpturally with adjacent blocks but instead fully integrates into the ancient city's fabric, seeking rich variations in interior spaces within the scale constraints of the lifang clusters.

With a profound history spanning 2,300 years, Datong served as "the capital of three dynasties and a strategic stronghold of two," blending cultures from the Western Regions, Buddhism, and the frontier. Merely reconstructing a Ming or Qing courtyard in a purely antiquated style would not be ideal. If new architecture excessively mimics ancient styles, it risks diluting the unique identity of the old structures. The final design draws inspiration from three key themes—vernacular dwellings, landscape, and climate—to create a cultural space that converses with Datong's 2,300-year history through "renewal with ancient charm."

· Vernacular Dwellings: The design extracts the intrinsic characteristics of Shanxi courtyards—"robust exterior with delicate interior, five-sectioned halls, deep courtyards, and concealed elegance"—and translates them into a contemporary expression.

· Landscape: The design pays homage to the grottoes as a form of earth art. In the lobby area, the building's layout introduces variations within a strict orthogonal grid. The slanted mono-pitched roof not only responds to the original diagonal boundaries of the site but also enhances the sculptural and geometric quality of the architecture.

· Climate: Datong is known for its "intense light, sharp shadows, clarity, and openness." By leveraging the light-reflecting properties and colors of different materials, the design creates an atmospheric interplay of light within the spaces.