Abstract: The historical evolution and spatial patterns in the cultural landscape of the Cantonese opera in the Pearl River Delta are discussed from the perspective of landscape architecture. It is believed that Cantonese opera has thrived in the Pearl River system throughout history. Due to the characteristics of the region, which has many traditional settlements located near water, the performance spaces of the Cantonese opera are mostly waterfront areas. As a result, a cultural landscape has been formed with distinctive regional characteristics, such as waterfront theatres, theatre stages and red boats. Moreover, there is an extensive water network throughout the river network area of the delta plain, which forms a unique regional landscape pattern.
　　The cultural characteristics and geographical background of the Cantonese opera can be summarised by the term "Water Town and Rhythm". Compared with North and Southeast China, which have different geographical conditions, the origin of Cantonese opera, as well as the voice, tone, and stage movements of the performances, are all adapted to the special regional environment of Lingnan water town. The free, flexible, tactful and exquisite tunes of the Cantonese opera form a music background for the customs of this water town. The songs are light and cool, like walking along the water in the wind. The dance is flexible and lively, full of vitality like dancing waves, and feature moves such as the "small jump," "twist waist," and "flat throat". All of these are characteristics of water culture and are prominent representations of the Lingnan water cultural landscape.
　　This study aimed to explore the dissemination of Cantonese opera culture throughout the delta during the evolution of natural and human geography. Based on Zhao Dineng's research on the geographical evolution of the Pearl River Delta from 1290 to 1850, an overlapping analysis of the relationship between the regional distribution of Cantonese opera-related cultural activities and geographical evolutionary development was carried out by combining the Atlas of China's Historical Geography with Xiong Liang's research on the geographical development of the Pearl River Delta. It was found that the core cultural circle of the Cantonese opera is highly consistent with the scope and formation process of traditional settlements in the Delta. Red boats are an important part of the cultural landscape of the Cantonese opera. According to studies on their spatial distributions and performance routes, red boats are an important medium in the cultural circle of Cantonese opera in the delta. Under the background of "spreading along rivers and oceans", the culture of Cantonese opera was spread within the Pearl River Delta and as far as Southeast Asia, thus forming a trans-regional cultural circle.
　　A case study based on Xiguan, Guangzhou was carried out, during which the spatial pattern of the cultural landscape of Cantonese opera was analysed. It was gradually elaborated as the Cantonese opera cultural centre was transferred from Foshan to Xiguan, where cultural talent has gathered and there is a cluster of cultural activity spaces. Finally, the overall spatial pattern of cultural landscapes of Cantonese opera in Xiguan is described. The red boats of Cantonese Opera are used for transport and as performance spaces, while famous actors, theatres and teahouses are viewed as major spatial nodes. Besides, the river system is used as transportation and landscape corridors. All of these depict the overall spatial pattern of Cantonese Opera culture in its golden age. The principal historical and cultural axes and the former waterway of the Pearl River are major corridors for the transmission of this culture. Important nodes include space nodes for 1) famous Cantonese opera actors, 2) theatres, 3) teahouses and restaurants and 4) Cantonese opera educational institutions. This cultural landscape, with its dense network and shining nodes, is highly concentrated in the old city of Xiguan. It is the most splendid cultural centre in the long history of Cantonese opera.
　　The historical prosperity of the cultural landscape of Cantonese opera is mainly promoted by its highly developed economic and cultural life, convenient land-water transportation conditions, and benign interaction between the Cantonese opera and the leisure and catering industry. "The delicious foods by leaning against the railing and listening to opera by water form the most attractive custom landscape in Guangzhou." Such historical experiences in these prosperous cultural landscapes not only warrant the current renewal of old cities but also provide a reference for a cultural renaissance. 

Key words:  , cultural landscape of Cantonese opera, the Pearl River Delta, spatial pattern

摘要： 从风景园林学科的角度出发，探讨珠江三角洲粤剧文化景观的历史演变和空间格局，认为粤剧发展是依托珠江水系而兴，粤剧演出空间也多分布在滨水地段，形成了滨水戏棚、戏台、粤剧红船等有浓郁地域特色的文化景观，并随着三角洲繁密的水网广布在三角洲平原河网地区，形成独特的区域景观格局。粤剧文化景观的主要“聚处”在广州西关，文中分析了珠江三角洲粤剧文化景观在极盛时期的整体空间格局，总结了繁荣文化景观的历史经验，供当前的旧城景观更新及文化复兴工作借鉴。

关键词: 粤剧文化景观, 珠江三角洲, 空间格局