The Liuhe Pagoda of Hangzhou, China, built in 1165 AD during the Song Dynasty.

Chinese architecture refers to a style of architecture that has taken shape in Asia over the centuries. The structural principles of Chinese architecture have remained largely unchanged, the main changes being only the decorative details. Since the Tang Dynasty, Chinese architecture has had a major influence on the architectural styles of Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 405 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (540 × 800 pixel, file size: 68 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The author is Bob Brooks, from his familys blog on family trips and vacations. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 405 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (540 × 800 pixel, file size: 68 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The author is Bob Brooks, from his familys blog on family trips and vacations. ... Liuhe Pagoda (Simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: Liùhé TÇŽ), literally Six Harmonies Pagoda or Six Harmonies Tower, is multi-storied pagoda in southern Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China. ...   (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Postal map spelling: Hangchow) is a sub-provincial city located in the Yangtze River Delta in the Peoples Republic of China, and the capital of Zhejiang province. ... For other uses, see Liu Song Dynasty. ... This article is about building architecture. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... This article is about building architecture. ... For the band, see Tang Dynasty (band). ... This article is about the Korean civilization. ...

The architecture of China is as old as Chinese civilization. From every source of information - literary, graphic, exemplary - there is strong evidence testifying to the fact that the Chinese have always employed an indigenous system of construction that has retained its principal characteristics from prehistoric times to the present day. Over the vast area from Chinese Turkistan to Japan, from Manchuria to the northern half of French Indochina, the same system of construction is prevalent; and this was the area of Chinese cultural influence. That this system of construction could perpetuate itself for more than four thousand years over such a vast territory and still remain a living architecture, retaining its principal characteristics in spite of repeated foreign invasions - military, intellectual, and spiritual - is a phenomenon comparable only to the continuity of the civilization of which it is an integral part.^[1]

The following article gives a cursory explanation of traditional Chinese architecture, before the introduction of Western building methods during the early 20th Century. Throughout the 20th Century, however, Western-trained Chinese architects have attempted to combine traditional Chinese designs into modern (usually government) buildings, with only limited success. Moreover, the pressure for urban development throughout contemporary China required higher speed of construction and higher floor area ratio, which means that in the great cities the demand for traditional Chinese buildings, which are normally less than 3 levels, has declined in favor of modern architecture. However, the traditional skills of Chinese architecture, including major carpentry, minor carpentry, masonry, and stone masonry, are still applied to the construction of vernacular architecture in the vast rural area in China. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... In the field of zoning, floor area ratio refers to a limit on how much total space, expressed as a fraction of the total size of the parcel of land involved, may be consumed by the floor or floors of a building or buildings constructed on the parcel. ... This article refers to the building structure component; for the fraternal organization, see Freemasonry. ... Stone masons have existed since the dawn of civilization, constructing some of the most long lasting ancient monuments, artifacts and cities. ...

Features

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty.

There are certain features common to all Chinese architecture, regardless of specific region or use: Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian, China The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda or Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Chinese: 大雁塔; pinyin: ), is located in southern Xian, China. ... For the band, see Tang Dynasty (band). ...

Horizontal emphasis

The most important is the emphasis on the horizontal axis, in particular the construction of a heavy platform and a large roof that floats over this base, with the vertical walls not as well emphasized. This contrasts Western architecture, which tends to grow in height and depth. Chinese architecture stresses the visual impact of the width of the buildings. The halls and palaces in the Forbidden City, for example, have rather low ceilings when compared to equivalent stately buildings in the West, but their external appearances suggest the all-embracing nature of imperial China. This of course does not apply to pagodas, which, in any case, are relatively rare. These ideas have found their way into modern Western architecture, for example through the work of Jørn Utzon (see page 221 of Weston (2002) ). For other uses, see Forbidden City (disambiguation). ... Myanmars Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most recognizable and revered pagodas in the Buddhist World A pagoda at Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia For other uses, see Pagoda (disambiguation). ... The Sydney Opera House Jørn Utzon AC (born April 9, 1918) is a Danish architect best known for his groundbreaking design for the Sydney Opera House. ...

Bilateral symmetry

Decorations and latticework carvings on the window pane of Chinese-styled garden

Another important feature is its emphasis on articulation and bilateral symmetry, which signifies balance. Bilateral symmetry and the articulation of buildings are found everywhere in Chinese architecture, from palace complexes to humble farmhouses. When possible, plans for renovation and extension of a house will often try to maintain this symmetry provided that there is enough capital to do so. Mashrabiya screen on display in the British Museum Latticework is an ornamental framework consisting of a criss-crossed pattern of strips of building material, usually wood or metal but can be of any material. ...

In contrast to building, Chinese gardens are a notable exception which tends to be asymmetrical. The principle underlying the garden's composition is to create enduring flow and also to emulate nature.

Enclosure

Contemporary Western architectural practices typically involve surrounding a building by an open yard on the property. This contrasts with much of traditional Chinese architecture, which involves constructing buildings or building complexes that take up an entire property but encloses open spaces within itself. These enclosed spaces come in two forms: the open courtyard (院) and the "sky well" (天井).

The use of open courtyards is a common feature in many types of Chinese architectures. This is best exemplified in the Siheyuan, which consists of an empty space surrounded by buildings connected with one another either directly or through verandas. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Although large open courtyards are less commonly found in southern Chinese architecture, the concept of a "open space" surrounded by buildings, which is seen in northern courtyard complexes, can be seen in the southern building structure known as the "sky well". This structure is essentially a relatively enclosed courtyard formed from the intersections of closely spaced buildings and offer small opening to the sky through the roof space from the floor up.

Hierarchical

Zhuozheng Garden in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, one of the finest gardens in China.

The projected hierarchy and importance and uses of buildings in traditional Chinese architecture are based on the strict placement of buildings in a property/complex. Buildings with doors facing the front of the property are considered more important than those faces the sides. Building facing away from the front of the property are the least important. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (681x1024, 476 KB) Suzhou, China Zhuozheng Garden Photo by S Laqua http://www. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (681x1024, 476 KB) Suzhou, China Zhuozheng Garden Photo by S Laqua http://www. ... The Humble Administrators Garden (Zhuo Zheng Yuan) is one of four great Chinese gardens, located in Suzhou. ... This article is about the city in Jiangsu. ...   (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chiang-su; Postal map spelling: Kiangsu) is a province of the Peoples Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. ...

As well, building in the rear and more private parts of the property are held in higher esteem and reserve for elder members of the family than buildings near the front, which are typically for servants and hired help. Front facing buildings in the back of properties are used particularly for rooms of celebratory rites and for the placement of ancestral halls and plaques. In multiple courtyard complexes, Central courtyard and their buildings are considered more important than peripheral ones, the latter which are typically used as storage or servant's rooms or kitchens.

Geomancy concepts

The use of certain colors, numbers and the cardinal directions in traditional Chinese architecture reflected the belief in a type of immanence, where the nature of a thing could be wholly contained in its own form, without reference to an evanescent belief. Although the Western tradition gradually developed a body of architectural literature, little was written on the subject in China, and the earliest text, the Kaogongji, was never disputed. However, ideas about cosmic harmony and the order of the city were usually interpreted at their most basic level, so a reproduction of the "ideal" city never existed. Beijing as reconstructed throughout the 15th and 16th century remains the best example of traditional Chinese town planning. Immanence, derived from the Latin in manere to remain within, refers to philosophical and metaphysical theories of the divine as existing and acting within the mind or the world. ... Peking redirects here. ... Urban, city, or town planning, deals with design of the built environment from the municipal and metropolitan perspective. ...

Construction

The Hall of Supreme Harmony within the Palace Museum (Forbidden City) grounds in Beijing, built during the Yongle era (1402–1424) of the Ming Dynasty.

The Putuo Zongcheng Temple, built from 1767 to 1771 during the reign of Qianlong, represents a fusion of Chinese as well as Tibetan architectural style.

ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 115 KB) Description: The Forbidden City or Forbidden Palace (Chinese: 紫禁城; pinyin: zǐ jìn chéng; literally Purple Forbidden City), located at the exact center of the ancient City of Beijing, was the imperial palace during the mid-Ming and... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 115 KB) Description: The Forbidden City or Forbidden Palace (Chinese: 紫禁城; pinyin: zǐ jìn chéng; literally Purple Forbidden City), located at the exact center of the ancient City of Beijing, was the imperial palace during the mid-Ming and... For other uses, see Forbidden City (disambiguation). ... Peking redirects here. ... The Yongle Emperor (May 2, 1360 – August 12, 1424), born Zhu Di (Chu Ti) , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. ... For other uses, see Ming. ... The Putuo Zongcheng Temple of Chengde, built in the 18th century during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor. ... The Qianlong Emperor (born Hongli, September 25, 1711 – February 7, 1799) was the fifth emperor of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China. ...

Structure

• Using even numbers of columns in a building structure to produce odd numbers of bays (間). With the inclusion of a main door to a building in the centre bay, symmetry is maintained
• The common use of curtain walls or door panels to delineate rooms or enclose a building, with the general deemphasis of load-bearing walls in most higher class construction
• Use of large structural timbers for primary support of the roof of a building. Wooden members, usually large trimmed logs, are used as load-bearing columns and lateral beams for framing buildings and supporting the roofs. These structural timbers are prominently displayed in finished structures. Although, structural walls are also commonly found in Chinese architecture, most timber framed architecture are preferred when economically feasible.
• Flat roofs are uncommon while gabled roofs almost omnipresent in traditional Chinese architecture. Three main types of roofs are found
  1. Straight inclined: Roofs with a single incline. These are the most economical type of roofing and are most prevalent in commoner architectures
  2. Multi-inclined: Roofs with 2 or more sections of incline. These roofs are used in higher class constructions, from the dwellings of wealthy commoners to palaces
  3. Sweeping: Roofs with a sweeping curvature that rises at the corners of the roof. The types of roof construction are usually reserved for temples and palaces although it may also be found in the homes of the wealthy. In the former cases, the ridges of the roof are usually highly decorated with ceramic figurines.

Ancient Chinese wooden architecture is the least studied of any of the worlds great architectural traditions and its study is reatively new. ... The House of the Seven Gables, Salem, Massachusetts, showing four gables in this view. ...

Materials and history

Unlike other building construction materials, old wooden structures often do not survive because they are more vulnerable to weathering and fires and are naturally subjected to rotting over time. Although now nonexistent wooden residential towers, watchtowers, and pagodas predated it by centuries, the Songyue Pagoda built in 523 is the oldest extant pagoda in China; its use of brick instead of wood had much to do with its endurance throughout the centuries. Songyue Pagoda commemorated on a Chinese postage stamp Songyue Pagoda, constructed in 523 CE, is at the Songyue Monastery on Mount Song, in Henan province, China. ... The Chinese Pagoda is a landmark in Birmingham. ... For other uses, see Brick (disambiguation). ...

The Fogong Temple Pagoda, built in 1056, is the oldest existent fully-wooden pagoda in China

From the Tang Dynasty (618–907) onwards, brick and stone architecture gradually became more common and replaced wooden edifices. The earliest of this transition can be seen in building projects such as the Zhaozhou Bridge completed in 605 or the Xumi Pagoda built in 636, yet stone and brick architecture is known to have been used in subterranean tomb architecture of earlier dynasties. For the band, see Tang Dynasty (band). ... The Zhaozhou Bridge (Chinese: 赵州桥; Pinyin: ) is the worlds oldest open-spandrel segmental arch bridge located in Hebei Province, China. ... The Xumi Pagoda The Xumi Pagoda (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Hanyu Pinyin: XÅ«mí tÇŽ; Wade-Giles: Hsümi Ta) or Sumeru Pagoda, also known as Summer Pagoda is a Chinese pagoda of the Buddhist Kaiyuan Monastery west of Zhengding, Hebei province, China. ...

In the early 20th century, there were no known wood-made Tang Dynasty buildings that still existed; the oldest so far discovered was the 1931 find of Guanyin Pavilion at Dule Monastery, dated 984.^[2] This was until the architectural historians Liang Sicheng (1901–1972), Lin Huiyin (1904–1955), Mo Zongjiang (1916–1999), and Ji Yutang (1902–c. 1960s) discovered that the East Hall of Fuguang Monastery on Mount Wutai in Shanxi was reliably dated to the year 857 in June of 1937.^[2] The groundfloor dimensions for this monastic hall measures 34 by 17.66 m (111 ft by 57 ft).^[3] A year after the discovery at Fuguang, the much smaller main hall of nearby Nanchan Monastery on Mount Wutai was reliably dated to the year 782,^[4] while a total of six Tang era wooden buildings have been found by the 21st century.^[5] The oldest existent multistory wooden pagoda that has survived intact is the Pagoda of Fogong Temple of the Liao Dynasty, located in Ying County of Shanxi. While the East Hall of Foguang Monastery features only seven types of bracket arms in its construction, the 11th century Pagoda of Fogong Temple features a total of fifty-four.^[6] Wutai Shan (Mount Wuitai), which means Five Terrace Mountain, is one of the four sacred mountains in Chinese Buddhism. ... Shanxi (Chinese: 山西; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Shan-hsi; Postal System Pinyin: Shansi) is a province in the northern part of the Peoples Republic of China. ... The Liao Dynasty (Traditional Chinese: , Simplified Chinese: , pinyin: Liáo Cháo), 907-1125, also known as the Khitan Empire, was an empire in northern China that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper. ... Not to be confused with Dugong. ...

The earliest walls and platforms in China were of rammed earth construction, and over time, brick and stone became more frequently used. This can be seen in ancient sections of the Great Wall of China, while the brick and stone Great Wall seen today is a renovation of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). Church of the Holy Cross (Episcopal) Stateburg or Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Stateburg, South Carolina, built of rammed earth in 1850–1852 Rammed earth walls form part of the entrance building for the Eden Project in Cornwall, England. ... The Great Wall of China (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; literally Long wall) or (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; literally The long wall of 10,000 Li (里)[1]) is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in China, built, rebuilt, and maintained between the 5th century BC and the 16th... For other uses, see Ming. ...

Tenon and mortice work of tie beams and cross beams, from Li Jie's building manual Yingzao Fashi, printed in 1103.

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 455 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (888 × 1170 pixel, file size: 408 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Faithful reproductions of two-dimensional original works cannot attract copyright in the U.S. according to the rule in Bridgeman Art Library v. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 455 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (888 × 1170 pixel, file size: 408 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Faithful reproductions of two-dimensional original works cannot attract copyright in the U.S. according to the rule in Bridgeman Art Library v. ... Simple and strong, the mortise and tenon joint (also called the mortice and tenon) has been used for centuries by woodworkers around the world to join two pieces of wood, most often at an angle close to 90°. Although there are many variations on the theme, the basic idea is... Diagram of a Mortise and Tenon Joint Simple and strong, the mortise and tenon joint (also called the mortice and tenon) has been used for millennia by woodworkers around the world to join two pieces of wood, most often at an angle close to 90°. Although there are many variations... The Liuhe Pagoda, or Six Harmonies Pagoda, in Hangzhou, erected in 1156 and fully constructed in 1165 AD. The architecture of the Song Dynasty was based upon the accomplishments of its predecessors, much like every subsequent dynastic period of China. ... Bracket arm clusters containing cantilevers, Yingzao Fashi The Yingzao Fashi (Chinese:營造法式; Treatise on Architectural Methods or State Building Standards) is a technical treatise on architecture and craftsmanship written by the Chinese author Li Jie (1065–1110),[1] the Directorate of Buildings and Construction during the mid Song Dynasty of China. ...

Classification by structure

Chinese classifications for architecture include:

• 樓 （楼） lou (Multistory buildings)
• 台 tai (terraces)
• 亭 ting (Chinese pavilions)
• 閣 （阁） ge (Two-story pavilions)
• 塔 ta (Chinese pagodas)
• 藻井 Caisson domed or coffered ceiling
• 軒 （轩） xuan (Verandas with windows)
• 榭 xie (Pavilions or houses on terraces)
• 屋 wu (Rooms along roofed corridors)
• 斗拱 dougong interlocking wooden brackets, often used in clusters to support roofs and add ornamentation.

terrace In architecture, an often paved outdoor area adjoining a house. ... Pavilion in Taipei, Taiwan Chinese Pavilions (Chinese 亭, pinyin tíng) are single-story covered structures and are a traditional part of Chinese architecture. ... Pavilion in Taipei, Taiwan Chinese Pavilions (Chinese 亭, pinyin tíng) are single-story covered structures and are a traditional part of Chinese architecture. ... Chinese Pagodas (Chinese 塔, pinyin tǎ) are a traditional part of Chinese architecture, introduced from India along with Buddhism as protective structures for Buddhist relics. ... A caisson is: In engineering, a retaining structure used, for example, to work on the foundations of a bridge pier. ... A verandah or veranda is a roofed opened gallery or porch. ... Not to be confused with Dugong. ... Brackets in Badami Cave Temples in India A bracket in architecture is a member made of wood, stone, or metal that overhangs a wall with the purpose of carrying or supporting a weight. ...

Architectural types

Commoner

The old city gate of Dali, Yunnan

As for the commoners, be they bureaucrats, merchants or farmers, their houses tended to follow a set pattern: the center of the building would be a shrine for the deities and the ancestors, which would also be used during festivities. On its two sides were bedrooms for the elders; the two wings of the building (known as "guardian dragons" by the Chinese) were for the junior members of the family, as well as the living room, the dining room, and the kitchen, although sometimes the living room could be very close to the center. Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture Yunnans position in China Old City gate Night View of Dali Ancient Walled Downtown The Three Pagodas of Chong Sheng Temple South gate of the Ancient City of Dali Dali (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Bai: Darl•lit; Hani: Dafli) is a city in Yunnan province in the... For the tea from this region, see Yunnan tea. ...

Sometimes the extended families became so large that one or even two extra pairs of "wings" had to be built. This resulted in a U-shaped building, with a courtyard suitable for farm work; merchants and bureaucrats, however, preferred to close off the front with an imposing front gate. All buildings were legally regulated, and the law held that the number of storeys, the length of the building and the colours used depended on the owner's class.

Imperial

The yellow roof tiles and red walls are visible in this Forbidden City image.

There were certain architectural features that were reserved solely for buildings built for the Emperor of China. One example is the use of yellow roof tiles; yellow having been the Imperial color, yellow roof tiles still adorn most of the buildings within the Forbidden City. The Temple of Heaven, however, uses blue roof tiles to symbolize the sky. The roofs are almost invariably supported by brackets ("dougong"), a feature shared only with the largest of religious buildings. The wooden columns of the buildings, as well as the surface of the walls, tend to be red in color. Black is also a famous color often used in pagodas. They believe the gods are inspired by the black color to descend on to the earth. ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2285x1714, 1396 KB) Photographer: Saad Akhtar from New Delhi, India Title: Forbidden City Taken on: 2004-11-24 03:27:36 Original source: Flickr. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2285x1714, 1396 KB) Photographer: Saad Akhtar from New Delhi, India Title: Forbidden City Taken on: 2004-11-24 03:27:36 Original source: Flickr. ... For the volcano in Indonesia, see Emperor of China (volcano). ... For other uses, see Forbidden City (disambiguation). ... The Temple of Heaven, literally the Altar of Heaven (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Manchu: Abkai mukdehun) is a complex of Taoist buildings situated in southeastern urban Beijing, in Xuanwu District. ... Brackets in Badami Cave Temples in India A bracket in architecture is a member made of wood, stone, or metal that overhangs a wall with the purpose of carrying or supporting a weight. ... Not to be confused with Dugong. ...

The Chinese dragon, an emblem reserved for Imperial China, were heavily used on Imperial architecture - on the roofs, on the beams and pillars, and on the doors. Only the buildings used by the imperial family were allowed to have nine jian (間, space between two columns); only the gates used by the Emperor could have five arches, with the centre one, of course, being reserved for the Emperor himself. The ancient Chinese favored the color red. The buildings faced south because the north had a cold wind. Japanese name Hiragana: KyÅ«jitai: Shinjitai: Korean name Hangul: Hanja: Thai name Thai: Vietnamese name Quốc ngữ: Hán tá»±: The Chinese dragon is a Chinese mythical creature, depicted as a long, scaled, snake-like creature with four claws. ... China is the worlds oldest continuous major civilization, with written records dating back about 3,500 years and with 5,000 years being commonly used by Chinese as the age of their civilization. ... For the volcano in Indonesia, see Emperor of China (volcano). ... For other uses, see Red (disambiguation). ...

The Zhaozhou Bridge, built from 595–605 during the Sui Dynasty. It is the oldest fully-stone open-spandrel segmental arch bridge in the world.

Beijing became the capital of China after the Mongol invasion of the 13th century, completing the easterly migration of the Chinese capital begun since the Jin dynasty, the Ming uprising in 1368 reasserted Chinese authority and fixed Beijing as the seat of imperial power for the next five centuries. The Emperor and the Empress lived in palaces on the central axis of the Forbidden City, the Crown Prince at the eastern side, and the concubines at the back (therefore the numerous imperial concubines were often referred to as "The Back Palace Three Thousand"). However, during the mid-Qing Dynasty, the Emperor's residence was moved to the western side of the complex. It is misleading to speak of an axis in the Western sense of a visual perspective ordering facades, rather the Chinese axis is a line of privilege, usually built upon, regulating access - there are no vistas, but a series of gates and pavilions. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 593 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Made by Zhao1974 in Hopei Province, China. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 593 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Made by Zhao1974 in Hopei Province, China. ... The Zhaozhou Bridge (Chinese: 赵州桥; Pinyin: ) is the worlds oldest open-spandrel segmental arch bridge located in Hebei Province, China. ... The Sui Dynasty of China amongst the Asian, African, and European spheres of the world, 600 AD. The Sui Dynasty (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; 581-618 AD[1]) followed the Southern and Northern Dynasties and preceded the Tang Dynasty in China. ... Peking redirects here. ... Numerous cities have been the capital of China during the course of history. ... Honorary guard of Mongolia. ... (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... The Jin Dynasty (金 pinyin: Jīn 1115-1234; Anchu in Jurchen), also known as the Jurchen dynasty, was founded by the Wanyan (完顏 Wányán) clan of the Jurchen, the ancestors of the Manchus who established the Qing Dynasty some 500 years later. ... For other uses, see Ming. ... Events Timur ascends throne of Samarkand. ... For other uses, see Forbidden City (disambiguation). ... A Crown Prince or Crown Princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. ... Flag (1890-1912) Anthem Gong Jinou (1911) Qing China at its greatest extent. ... Perspective when used in the context of vision and visual perception refers to the way in which objects appear to the eye based on their spatial attributes or dimension and the position of the eye relative to the objects. ...

Numerology heavily influenced Imperial Architecture, hence the use of nine in much of construction (nine being the greatest number) and reason why The Forbidden City in Beijing is said to have 9,999.9 rooms - just short of the mythical 10,000 rooms in heaven. The importance of the East (the direction of the rising sun) in orienting and siting Imperial buildings is a form of solar worship found in many ancient cultures, where the notion of Ruler is affiliated with the Sun. Look up numerology in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

The tombs and mausoleums of imperial family members, such as the 8th century Tang Dynasty tombs at the Qianling Mausoleum, can also be counted as part of the imperial tradition in architecture. These above-ground earthen mounds and pyramids had subterranean shaft-and-vault structures that were lined with brick walls since at least the Warring States (481–221 BCE).^[7] For the band, see Tang Dynasty (band). ... Alternative meaning: Warring States Period (Japan) The Warring States Period (traditional Chinese: 戰國時代, simplified Chinese: 战国时代 pinyin Zhànguó Shídài) takes place from sometime in the 5th century BC to the unification of China by Qin in 221 BC. It is nominally considered to be the second part of the Eastern...

Religious

The Iron Pagoda built in 1049 AD during the Song Dynasty in the ancient city of Kaifeng

Generally speaking, Buddhist architecture follow the imperial style. A large Buddhist monastery normally has a front hall, housing the statue of a Bodhisattva, followed by a great hall, housing the statues of the Buddhas. Accommodations for the monks and the nuns are located at the two sides. Some of the greatest examples of this come from the 18th century temples of the Puning Temple and the Putuo Zongcheng Temple. Buddhist monasteries sometimes also have pagodas, which may house the relics of the Gautama Buddha; older pagodas tend to be four-sided, while later pagodas usually have eight-sides. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Iron Pagoda of Kaifeng, China, built in 1049 AD during the Song Dynasty. ... For other uses, see Liu Song Dynasty. ... Kaifeng (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: KāifÄ“ng; Wade-Giles: Kai-feng), formerly known as Bianliang (汴梁; Wade-Giles: Pien-liang), is a prefecture-level city in eastern Henan province, Peoples Republic of China. ... Buddhism is a variety of teachings, sometimes described as a religion[1] or way of life that attempts to identify the causes of human suffering and offer various ways that are claimed to end, or ease suffering. ... Lands Bhutan â€¢ China â€¢ Korea Japan â€¢ Tibet â€¢ Vietnam Taiwan â€¢ Mongolia Doctrine Bodhisattva â€¢ Bodhicitta Karuna â€¢ Prajna Sunyata â€¢ Buddha Nature Trikaya â€¢ Eternal Buddha Scriptures Prajnaparamita Sutra Avatamsaka Sutra Lotus Sutra Nirvana Sutra VimalakÄ«rti Sutra Lankavatara Sutra History 4th Buddhist Council Silk Road â€¢ Nagarjuna Asanga â€¢ Vasubandhu Bodhidharma      A statue of a Bodhisattva, Akasagarbha. ... Bodhi (Pali and Sanskrit. ... Puning Temple The Puning Temple (普宁寺）), or Temple of Universal Peace of Chengde, Hebei province, China (commonly called the Big Buddha Temple[1]) is a Qing Dynasty era Buddhist temple complex built in 1755, during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1735-1796 AD). ... The Putuo Zongcheng Temple of Chengde, built in the 18th century during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor. ... Myanmars Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most recognizable and revered pagodas in the Buddhist World A pagoda at Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia For other uses, see Pagoda (disambiguation). ... Siddhartha and Gautama redirect here. ...

Daoist architecture, on the other hand, usually follow the commoners' style. The main entrance is, however, usually at the side, out of superstition about demons which might try to enter the premise. (See feng shui.) In contrast to the Buddhists, in a Daoist temple the main deity is located at the main hall at the front, the lesser deities at the back hall and at the sides. For other uses of the words tao and dao, see Dao (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Superstition (disambiguation). ... “Fiend” redirects here. ... Fēng Shuǐ (風水 – literally, wind and water pronounced fung shuway), which may be more than 3000 years old, is the ancient practice of placement to achieve harmony with the environment. ...

The tallest pre-modern building in China was built for both religious and martial purposes. The Liaodi Pagoda of 1055 AD stands at a height of 84 m (275 ft), and although it served as the crowning pagoda of the Kaiyuan monastery in old Dingzhou, Hebei, it was also used as a military watchtower for Song Dynasty soldiers to observe potential Liao Dynasty enemy movements. The Liaodi Pagoda, completed in 1055 during the Song Dynasty. ... Hebei (Chinese: 河北; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Ho-pei; Postal System Pinyin: Hopeh) is a northern province of the Peoples Republic of China. ... A watchtower is a type of fortification. ... For other uses, see Liu Song Dynasty. ... The Liao Dynasty (Traditional Chinese: , Simplified Chinese: , pinyin: Liáo Cháo), 907-1125, also known as the Khitan Empire, was an empire in northern China that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper. ...

See also

• Architecture of the Song Dynasty
• Architecture of Hong Kong
• Architecture of Penang
• Caisson (Asian architecture)
• Chinese art
• Chinese pagodas
• Architectural history
• Feng Shui
• Ancient Chinese wooden architecture
• Hakka architecture
• Hutong
• Imperial roof decoration
• Imperial guardian lions
• Jiangnan architecture
• Lingnan architecture
• Pagoda
• Shanghai - for a gallery of modern buildings
• Shikumen
• Shophouse
• Siheyuan
• Walled villages of Hong Kong
• Yu Hao
• Beijing city wall
• Precious Belt Bridge

The Liuhe Pagoda, or Six Harmonies Pagoda, in Hangzhou, erected in 1156 and fully constructed in 1165 AD. The architecture of the Song Dynasty was based upon the accomplishments of its predecessors, much like every subsequent dynastic period of China. ... Bank of China Tower at night. ... The City Hall, Penang Fort Cornwallis in Penang The colonial Eastern & Oriental Hotel Beach Street with banks The Chinese Khoo Kongsi clan hall and temple The Blue Mansion Kapitan Keling Mosque The buildings and monuments of Penang reflect 171 years of British presence in Penang, coalescing with local, Chinese, Indian... A round caisson in the imperial garden at the Forbidden City The Caisson (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; literally algae well) in East Asian architecture is an archiectural feature typically found in the ceiling of temples and palaces, usually at the centre and directly above the main throne, seat, or religious figure. ... Chinese Jade ornament with flower design, Jin Dynasty (1115-1234 AD), Shanghai Museum. ... Chinese Pagodas (Chinese å¡”, pinyin tÇŽ) are a traditional part of Chinese architecture, introduced from India along with Buddhism as protective structures for Buddhist relics. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Fēng Shuǐ (風水 – literally, wind and water pronounced fung shuway), which may be more than 3000 years old, is the ancient practice of placement to achieve harmony with the environment. ... Ancient Chinese wooden architecture is the least studied of any of the worlds great architectural traditions and its study is reatively new. ... A Hakka house in southern Fujian. ... A typical street in a Bejing hutong Hutongs (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ) are narrow streets or alleys, most commonly associated with Beijing, China. ... Chinese imperial roof decoration or roof charms or roof-figures (檐獸 / 檐兽; Pinyin: yán shòu) or (走獸 / èµ°å…½; Pinyin: zÇ’u shòu) or (蹲獸 / 蹲兽; Pinyin: DÅ«n shòu)was only allowed on official buildings of the empire. ... A Qing pair within the Forbidden City. ... Lingnan culture (嶺南文化) refers to the culture of Guangdong and the nearby provinces in , and southeastern China. ... Myanmars Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the most recognizable and revered pagodas in the Buddhist World A pagoda at Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia For other uses, see Pagoda (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Shanghai (disambiguation). ... Shikumen (Simplified Chinese: 石库门), or literally stone gate is a style of housing in Shanghai, China, which blended features of east and west. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Most of the walled villages in Hong Kong are located in the New Territories. ... Yu Hao was a late 10th century Chinese architect of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). ... The city wall of Beijing was a fortification built around 1435. ... The Precious Belt Bridge (Chinese: 宝带桥; pinyin: ) is a Tang Dynasty arch bridge located near the city of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. ...

Note

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Architecture of China

• Liang, Ssu-ch'eng 1984, A pictorial history of Chinese architecture : a study of the development of its structural system and the evolution of its types, ed. by Wilma Fairbanks, Cambridge (Mass.): MIT press
• Steinhardt, Nancy Shatzman. "Liao: An Architectural Tradition in the Making," Artibus Asiae (Volume 54, Number 1/2, 1994): 5–39.
• Weston, Richard. 2002. Utzon : inspiration, vision, architecture. Hellerup: Blondal.

Further reading

• Sickman L and Soper A. The Art and Architecture of China (Penguin Books, 1956).

External links

• Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home To explore an in depth look into the ancient architecture of the Huang family’s domestic life in China, the Yin Yu Tang house offers an interactive view of the typical domestic architecture of the Qing dynasty.