Chinese Architecture Discovering China

Wang Qijun

The field of ancient Chinese architecture covers a wide range of structures, among them: palaces and government offices; temples, altars and ancestral halls; gardens and bridges; and city walls and residential dwellings. Many of the structural types and technologies are unique to China, or originated there and then spread to other lands. Their symbolism is distinctive as well, drawing inspiration from Chinese art, music and literature. The attention to decoration and coloration makes for intriguing and beautiful structuresùfor example, the Forbidden City, with its imposing red walls and yellow roof tiles gleaming against a blue sky. Craftsmen even exercised their imagination for everyday buildings such as stores, workshops and houses. It is easy to see why ancient Chinese architecture has been called a perfect alignment of form and function. People learn about China through a...