3. Chinese architecture refers to a style of architecture that has taken
shape in East Asia over many centuries.
The architecture of China is as old as Chinese civilization.
The structural principles of Chinese architecture have remained
largely unchanged, the main changes being only the decorative
details.
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 Korea, Vietnam, and Japan.
4. In China, a vast land spanning many degrees of latitude with
complicated terrain, climate varies radically.
China has a variety of temperature and rainfall zones, including
continental monsoon areas. In winter most areas become cold and
dry, in summer hot and rainy.
China climates differ from region to region because of the
country's extensive and complex topography.
In the south of the Nanling Mountains, rains are prolific and the
temperature is high all year round. In the Yangtze and Huaihe river
valleys in the central part of China, there are four distinctive seasons
5. Many people in China are farmers. Many grow rice. China grows
more food than any other country. The Chinese also grow tea and soy
beans. Many Chinese shop every day in open air markets to get the
freshest foods for their family's dinner.
Chinese people think it is very important to be polite and kind to
others. The family is very important to the Chinese. Children listen and
obey their parents and older people are loved and respected.
The Chinese people believe the air is most densely charged with vital
energy called chi at daybreak, and for thousands around the island
the day starts with dawn exercises in parks. Individuals or groups gather
to jog, dance, practice the gentle slow-motion of tai chi chuan or the
vigorous gymnastics of kung-ku.
6. Imperial Palaces
Imperial Palaces were originally built
to showcase the extravagant lifestyles
of the emperors, as well as to provide
a centralized location for
demonstrating imperial political
control.
The imperial palaces were built on a
grand scale, sparing no expense to
display the majesty and dignity of the
imperial power of the time.
Each imperial palace is a testament
to the history and glory of Chinese
culture. These glorious structures
clearly demonstrate the creative
essence and imperial traditions of the
Chinese people.
7.
8. Pagodas
Pagodas are actually native
to India.
These octagonal towers
were introduced to China
along with the introduction
and integration of Buddhism.
The design of the traditional
Indian pagoda changed as
the structure was integrated
into Chinese culture.
9.
10. City Walls
Many Chinese cities are surrounded by a set of walls.
The inner wall is termed the cheng and the outer wall is the guo.
The term chengguo is used to describe the entirety of the ancient
city walls. Moats often surrounded the walls and these moats were
termed chi.
The inner city was named the geng.
Within the walls surrounding the city were gates. At least 2 or 3
gates, with towers over the gates, opened up to the outside world.
Large cities offered more gates.
For example, the walls surrounding Beijing contained 9 gates
during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
11. At each of the four corners of the wall, watch towers were
constructed.
The mamian was a set of ramps that extended out from the wall.
The mamian provided access for cavalry, horses, and wheeled
transport entering or exiting the city.
12. China's most famous city walls:
Xi'an Ancient City Wall
Pingyao City Wall
Nanjing Ancient City Wall
13.
14. The origin of pagodas, like that of Buddhism, can be traced to
India.
The relation between Buddhism and pagodas is explained in
Buddhist literature, which says that pagodas were originally built
for the purpose of preserving the remains of Sakyamuni, the
founder of Buddhism.
In Sanskrit pagoda (or stupa) meant tomb. Before the pagoda
was introduced to China,
15. Structures of Pagodas
Different structures have been used in the building of
pagodas, depending on the building materials.
The structure and method of construction of a wooden pagoda
are similar to those of a palace, temple, multistoreyed building or
pavilion made of wood, i.e., traditional beam or bracket system.
It is usually composed of a frame, rafters, sheathing, eaves and
roof. A pagoda made of bricks and stones, like other brick and
stone buildings, is constructed by methods such as piling up bricks
or stone blocks and making archways.
16. Metal pagodas are made by
moulding and casting metals.
Though the building materials and
methods of construction differ, the
basic structure does not change
drastically.
A pagoda is composed of the
following major parts:
17. Underground Palace
Most ancient buildings in China were built on
solid ground.
Usually nothing was built underground.
The pagoda, however, was unique in having
an underground palace, called the dragon
palace or the dragon cave.
This special structure is not found in other
buildings, such as palaces, temples or
multistoreyed buildings.
It was added to a Buddhist pagoda to preserve
Buddhist relics.
18. According to a
survey, Buddhist relics were
not buried underground in
India, but kept inside the
pagodas
BaseFor instance, the two
oldest pagodas in China the
pagoda at Songyue Temple
of the Northern Wei Dynasty
and the Four-Door Pagoda in
Licheng of the Sui Dynasty
both have very simple, low
bases made
19. Body
The body, or main part, of a pagoda varies depending on the style of
architecture. The classification of pagodas was based on the style of
the body of the pagoda....
Steeple
Every pagoda is surmounted by a steeple, sometimes pointed and
sometimes ball-shaped. They vary greatly in style and building
materials. The most commonly used building materials for steeples
are...
20.
21. CHINESE PAGODAS
OF BRICK, STONE AND WOOD
During the Tang dynasty in China (618-907 CE), Buddhist
pagodas began to be made from stone and brick. Stone
was more versatile and more attainable than wood. Stone
also withstood harsh conditions, such as weather and fire far
better than lumber Rather than immediately replacing the
wooden structure with stone, however, the Chinese slowly
incorporated the material into their architectural patterns. In
the beginning, only the base of the pagoda was built with
stone. The walls, roofs and spires on top were still made with
wood.
22. CHINESE PAGODAS
OF BRICK, STONE AND WOOD
Changes to the actual pagoda structure were made during this
period as well. Previously, each level of the building was smaller
than the size of a basic building.
The ceiling was low, and the windows small.
The levels were now heightened, made to accomodate an actual
person standing as opposed to one leaning over.
The rooms were more versatile, and there were more of them.
On every level of most pagodas during this period, there was a
room for each outside wall of the pagoda.
They were now built with six or even eight sides instead of the
basic four sided structure. Each level then, had six or eight rooms as
well. The pagoda as a building began to match the everyday
Chinese architectural styles.