CHINESE ARCHITECTURE
EACH DYNASTY.
 BASIC FACTS
 China spans approximately 5,250 km from east to west
and 5,500 km from north to south. Its land border is
around 20,000 km long, while its shoreline is
approximately 14,000 km long.
 China has the world's biggest temperature difference
between its northern and southern borders, from the
desert in the northwest to the tropical monsoon in the
southeast.
 It has the biggest population of any country in the world
and is the largest country in Asia. Almost entirely
encompassing the East Asian landmass.
 China's longevity and resilience are unparalleled among
nations. With over 4,000 years of recorded history, China
is one of the few countries that also flourished
economically and culturally during the earliest stages of
world civilization.
 NAMES OF CHINA:
1) CIN
 First recorded use of the word "China" dated 1555,
derived from a Persian name for China, popularized in
Europe by Marco Polo.
2) CĪNĀ
 Term for porcelain or ceramic ware originally made in
China.
 Derived from the Sanskrit word which refers to
"yellow-colored" barbarian tribe from the north
(identified with Qin (778 B.C.-207B.C.), the westernmost
of the Chinese kingdoms, or may refer to an unknown
group then inhabiting Tibet).
3) SINA (SINO), SINAE, CATHAY, OR CERES
 THE OFFICIAL NAME OF CHINA CHANGED WITH
4.) ZHŌNGGUÓ - “Central Nation" or as the “Middle
Kingdom". Used to refer to the late Zhou Dynasty, as
they believed that they were the “Center of Civilization"
 Implied a claim of political legitimacy
 Often used by states who saw themselves as the sole
legitimate successor to previous Chinese dynasties
 Came to official use as an abbreviation for the Republic of
China (Zhonghua Minguo) after the government's
establishment in 1912.
 INFLUENCES
 GEOGRAPHICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL
INFLUENCES:
 Bordered by Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan,
Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, North and South Korea. -
THREE GREAT RIVER SYSTEMS:
1. Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) - the third-longest river in the
world at 2,432 mi (6,300 km)
2. Yellow River (Huang He) - 2,109 mi (5,464 km) long;
3. Pearl River (Zhu Jiang) - 848 mi (2,197 km) long.
1. YANGTZE RIVER
(CHANG JIANG) -
the third-longest river
in the world at 2,432 mi
(6,300 km
The Yangtze River, known as "Chang Jiang" in Chinese, is
China's longest river at about 6,300 kilometers. Originating
from the Tibetan Plateau, it flows through several provinces
and major cities like Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanjing, and Shanghai,
finally reaching the East China Sea.
The river is a key economic artery, supporting trade,
industry, and agriculture in its basin, including the influential
Yangtze River Delta. Notable for the Three Gorges Dam, it also
faces environmental issues such as pollution and habitat loss.
Culturally significant, the Yangtze has played a vital role in
China's history and development.
2. YELLOW RIVER (HUANG HE) - 2,109 mi (5,464 km) long;

The Huang He River,

also known as the Yellow
River, is China's second
longest and historically
significant river, flowing
for about 5,464
kilometers. Originating in
Qinghai, it traverses nine
provinces before reaching
the Bohai Sea.

Known as the "Mother River of China," it has played a
central role in Chinese civilization, supporting agriculture and
serving as a trade route. However, it is infamous for frequent
and devastating floods, and efforts have been made to manage
and control flooding. The river's yellow hue, caused by
sediment, gives it its name.
 TIBETAN PLATEAU in Southwest China - Occupies about
¼ of the land area of the PRC. - Mountains and massive
highlands, averaging between 4,000 and 5,000 meters
(13,000 to 15,000 feet) above the sea level.
Tibetan Plateau in Southwest China - Occupies about ¼ of
the land area of the PRC.

Mountains and massive highlands, averaging between

4,000 and 5,000 meters (13,000 to 15,000 feet) above the
sea level.
3. PEARL RIVER (ZHU JIANG)
- 848 mi (2,197 km) long.  MOUNT EVEREST (known in Chinese as Mount
Zhumulangma) - Highest point along the Tibetan Plateau -
The Pearl River, also known Highest mountain in the world.
as Zhu Jiang in Chinese, is the
third longest river in China, Located on the Sino-Nepalese border and rises 8,848
stretching over 2,200 kilometers. meters (29,028 feet) above sea level.
It flows through provinces like
Yunnan, Guangdong, and Guangxi, ultimately emptying into the  OUTER CHINA - Huge area to the north and west of
South China Sea. The river is a major economic artery, notably China Proper.
in the Pearl River Delta, a hub for industry and commerce.
Major cities along its path include Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 meters above sea level.

Despite its economic significance, the Pearl River faces

Zone includes part of Northeast China (also known as
environmental challenges such as pollution and habitat
Manchuria), Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, the
degradation. Overall, the Pearl River plays a vital role in the
Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, part of the Loess Plateau, and a
socioeconomic and cultural landscape of southern China.
stretch of mountains.

 MOUNT EVEREST (known in Chinese as Mount

 NORTH CHINA - Dominated Zhumulangma)
by the alluvial plain along the
Yellow River (shown on the Highest point along the Tibetan Plateau
right). - Mostly flat and the
soil is well-suited to Highest mountain in the world.
agriculture.
Located on the Sino-Nepalese border and rises 8,848
 SOUTH CHINA - Region drained by the Yangtze (Yangzi) meters (29,028 feet) above sea level.
River - Predominantly hillier than north China
  IV. RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES:
 BUDDHISM

 TAOISM (founded by Lao Tzŭ offered a doctrine of

universal love as solution to social disorder – main religion

 CONFUCIANISM – new code of social conduct and

philosophy of life. . Produced concepts of the universe and
beliefs about the future closely allied with superstition,
 GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCES: astrology and necromancy which have controlled the
planning of society and cities as well as design of
buildings.
TIMBER

 INDIAN CONTEXT – mandala

BRICKS
Roofs were covered with clay tiles,
colored and glazed with symbolic colors
(black, red, azure, white and yellow
 CHINESE CONTEXT -
i. Feng Shui – pseudo science – based on the belief that
forces exist in every locality which act on all buildings,
towns, and cities for good or ill and sites were chosen or
adapted accordingly.

ii. Yin-Yang - Represents the ancient Chinese understanding

of how things work.
LIMESTONE & SANDSTONE
 Opposing qualities in a phenomenon, bound together as
Fit for use in thresholds, stairs, balusters, parts of a mutual whole; dynamic equilibrium
engineering works

 Outer circle represents "everything",

 while the black and white shapes
within the circle represent the
interaction of two energies, called
 CLIMATIC FACTORS: "yin" (black) and "yang" (white), which
cause everything to happen.
1. Climate Extreme cold to almost tropical
2. Cold strong winter winds from Mongolia
3. Mountain ranges in the north
 YIN – North, Winter, feminine principle embodied in
INFLUENCE: earth, phoenix and Empress
 YANG – South, Summer, masculine principle imaged in
 Buildings and sites are oriented on a north the sky (heaven), dragon and Emperor.
 south axis as major axis and east-west axis as the minor
 since China is geographically situated north of the equator  MUSLIM minority contributed little to architecture
and the climate is cold in the winter for most part and except for pagoda like mosques.
warm in the summer.

 Chinese roof with its accentuated curved eaves.
 HISTORICAL INFLUENCES
China has a rich architectural history that has been
influenced by various dynasties over the centuries. Here are
some of the dynasties that have had a significant impact on
Chinese architecture:
1. SHANG DYNASTY (C. 1600-1046 BCE)
known for its early use of advanced construction
techniques, including the use of rammed earth and wooden
structures. They also built impressive tombs and ceremonial
sites.
2. ZHOU DYNASTY (C. 1046-256 BCE)
saw the development of early Chinese architectural
principles, such as the use of standardized building
measurements and layouts. They also built extensive city walls
and ceremonial structures.
3. HAN DYNASTY (206 BCE - 220 CE)
famous for its use of brick and stone in construction.
They built the Great Wall of China and advanced the use of
curved roof tiles.
4. TANG DYNASTY (618-907 CE)
The Tang Dynasty is often considered a golden age of
Chinese architecture. During this period, the Chinese perfected
the art of building wooden structures with multiple stories,
using intricate designs and techniques. The Tang-era pagodas
and temples are notable examples.
5. SONG DYNASTY (960-1279 CE)
continued to develop architectural innovations, including
the use of curved rooflines and bracket sets that allowed for
large, open interior spaces. This period saw the construction of
many beautiful temples, palaces, and gardens.
6. YUAN DYNASTY (1271-1368 CE)
The Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty introduced elements of
Islamic and Persian architecture to China. One example is the
construction of the Great Mosque of Xi'an.
7. MING DYNASTY (1368-1644 CE)
known for its grand and elaborate architecture. The
Forbidden City in Beijing, with its magnificent palaces and halls,
is a prime example of Ming architectural style.
8. QING DYNASTY (1644-1912 CE)
continued to build upon Ming architectural traditions but
also incorporated elements of Tibetan and Mongolian
architecture. The Summer Palace in Beijing and the Potala
Palace in Lhasa are notable examples.
 These dynasties each left their mark on Chinese
architecture, contributing to the diverse and rich
architectural heritage that can be seen in China today.
Chinese architecture is known for its use of wood,
intricate details, and harmony with the natural
environment, principles that have been passed down
through the centuries.
 HISTORICAL SCENIC SPOTS
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City, also known as the
Imperial Palace, is located in the heart
of Beijing and is a must-see for any
traveler to China.
The Great Wall
The Great Wall is a group of defensive
structures built along the northern
borders of ancient Chinese states and
Imperial China.
The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is a large collection
of lakes, gardens, and palaces. It was an
imperial garden during the Qing dynasty,
but currently it stores national historical
materials.
 SOCIAL & ECONOMICAL 2) PAINTING

INFLUENCES Painting in China is, therefore,

 Ancient Chinese fished, farmed, and irrigated the land.
 Traded goods with other culture. Used metal coins in
community bartering.
 Silk was traded for other goods or services as they
traveled the "Silk Route."
 Emperors - (Chinese rulers) based their government on
the Confucian model.
essentially a linear art. The
painters of most periods were not
concerned with striving for
originality or conveying a sense of
reality and three-dimensional mass through aids such as
shading and perspective; rather, they focused on using silk or
paper to transmit, through the rhythmic movement of the
brush stroke, an awareness of the inner life of things.

3) POETRY
CONTRIBUTIONS:

 Ancient Chinese used characters and symbols as their

written language. - Invented many things which we still
use today - kites, silk cloth, fireworks, compass, and
bronze.
 The Great Wall of China built by Shi Huangdi. He united II. SCULPTURE, ARCHITECTURE AND
China and built a strong, centralized, authoritarian
government.
CRAFTS
 In the past China was an agricultural society, but it has
had large cities from early times.

Artisan Work

 ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

One of the outstanding characteristics of Chinese art is the

extent to which it reflects the class structure that has existed at
III. ANCIENT CHINESE ARCHITECTURE
different times in Chinese history.

I. FINE ARTS 1) SLOPING ROOF – with standing

pillars formed a relatively fixed
structure, while the walls only form
“Art as a reflection of Chinese class structure” the role of fencing.

1) CALLIGRAPHY
2) HOUSE BODY- provides the living
Since the 3rd century CE, space
CALLIGRAPHY, or writing as a fine
art, has been COMSIDERED
SUPREME AMONG THE VISUAL
ARTS IN CHINA.
3) TERRACE – solid, or hollow formed
by timber frame
It is believed that the appreciation and production of
calligraphy requires lofty personal qualities and unusual
aesthetic sensitivity.
3 FUNCTION OF CHINESE ROOF Decorative roof and ceiling. Decorations also
convey through symbolization and analogy, certain
 Drainage cultural connotations.
 Protection
 Heirarchy
1. Dragons (Long) Reborn from its own ashes symbolizes
continuity and divinity
3 FEATURE OF CHINESE ROOF

 Timber Jointing Systems

 Graceful Curved Shapes 2. Phoenix (Feng) – affluence or good fortune
 Round tiles
 They are used to represent emperors and their
consorts and were the main decorative patterns to be
seen on various imperial structures. Palaces, columns,
pathways and screen walls were all inscribed or carved or
painted with their images.


3. Tiger

 Divine power and strength Roof ridges with

elaborate ornaments

 Roof decorations include a dragon with a bell
underneath, a man on a chicken (tyrant emperor), various
ROOFS ONE OVER THE OTHER guardian beasts and a carp, which is believed to bring
success. The more important a building, the more
 Sign of dignity Grandeur could be signified by the number guardians it includes to protect from evil spirits, fire, etc.
of tiers in terms of floors or roofs.
 Protect interior from extreme heat and cold

Use of color was restricted according to strict social

status classification. IV. INDIGENOUS STYLE

 yellow - symbol of the emperor  Homogeneous traditional

 green – 2nd to yellow architecture repeated over the
 blue – temples because of the symbol of heaven centuries in structures


 Most prominent feature:

tile-covered gabled roofs, with
widely overhanging and upward
EMPHASIS ON THE HORIZONTAL AXIS curving eaves resting on
complex multiple brackets
 Construction of a heavy platform and large roof that floats
over the base, with the vertical walls.
 Contrast to Western architecture which emphasizes
height and depth in buildings 3 MAIN ELEMENT OF CHINESE STRUCTURE
 Stressed the visual impact of the width and symmetry of
buildings 1. ROOFING
 Have rather low ceilings when compared to stately 2. COLUMN
buildings in the West, but their external appearances 3. PODIUM
suggest the all-embracing nature of imperial China.
 Does not apply pagodas
 Two main kinds of framing systems developed:

1. Pillars-and-beams (tailiang)
2. Pillars-and-transverse-tie-beams (chuandou)

 Diagrams of framing systems from a Song dynasty building

manua

DOUGONG - a unique structural element of interlocking TAILIANG CHUANDOU

wooden brackets, one of the most important elements in
traditional Chinese architecture

V. PALACES, TEMPLES, AND HUTONGS

 PALACES

a palace is a grand residence, particularly a residence or

the home of the emperor in feudal China. It stands for the
• regime and the style of imperial rule over all the land. Although
the palaces varied through each historical period, the common
 Each bracket formed of a features are splendor and majesty.
double bow-shaped arm called
“GONG” which supports a
block of wood called “DOU” on
each side.
The Daming Palace in Xi’an, built
in 634 CE, the Tang Dynasty

Forbidden City in Beijing, built in

1420 CE, the Ming Dynasty
 CHINESE TEMPLES
 Chinese temples, be they Buddhist, Daoist or
Confucian, share the same design features, and are built
to the same principles as palaces and wealthy traditional
Chinese homes

 laid out on a central north–south axis, with entrances
facing the auspicious south and protected by a spirit wall.
The main differences between them lie in decorative
details such as colour
 which to formulate virtue and benevolence.
 the pillars of Buddhist temples are bright red, while
Daoists use black
 people' s life and behaviour
 and the carvings of animals and deities. One of the
most outstanding examples of temple architecture is the
Temple of Heaven in Beijing, whose magnificent
centrepiece is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, with
its highly unusual circular form. Majestic and ornate,
pagodas are an integral part of any romantic image of the
Far East. Possibly the best-known are the two Wild Goose
pagodas in central Xi' an.
Temple of Heaven in Beijing
 HUTONGS
 Hutongs are a type of narrow street or alley,
commonly associated with northern chinese cities, most
prominently beijing.
 square form, each side is
 Beijing's hutongs comprise narrow laneways and
vernacular courtyard houses arranged in a quadrangle
style. As one of the characteristic physical forms of Beijing,
hutongs are representative of Beijing's distinctive identity
and as such hold an important place in the collective
cultural consciousness.
EXAMPLES OF HUTONGS
A hand-penciled sketch of an old hutong
by Chinese artist, Kuang Han.
Seeing the hutong from a bird' s eye
perspective.
VI. BASIS FOR CHINESE ANCIENT
ARCHITECTURE
1. Quadrangle - basic form of combination in Chinese
architectural group
2. Rites - ancient Chinese political ideas
 Criteria which determines the human relations,
distinguishes right from wrong, and the regulation from
 Set of hierarchy and hierarchical system which not
only regulates the social ideology and virtue but also
SYSTEM AND REGULATION CONCERNING ARCHITECTURE
(as recorded in the Book of Rites)
 Proportion of the house and utensils used the higher and
bigger the loftier
 Applicable in the height of the tomb and thickness of
coffin timbers
 Regulates ancestor worship. The most senior the
ancestors should be placed in the middle in arranging the
tablets of ancestors and tomb location. The rest are
placed on the left and right according to seniority.
 CLASSIFICATION OF CITIES:
1. IMPERIAL CITIES – highest and biggest
2. Capitals of fiefdoms - belonging to the vassal lords
3. Cities of imperial - relatives in the locality
IMPERIAL CITY– takes a
nine in length and encircled
by city walls on all sides,
three gates, nine vertical and
nine streets crisscross the
inside city.
PLANNING AND LAYOUT:
1. Size of the capital should reflect its significance in the
hierarchy of authority.
2. City should face towards the brightness of the south.
3. Should be laid out in squares and rectangles aligned with
the four directions of the earth.
4. Internal organization should reflect the orderliness of the
universe.
5. Each social function should have its appropriate place.
 Imperial palace, temples and mansions of the princes
should be positioned in more important locations. The
imperial palace should be placed at the heart of the Mountain Resort at Chengde
settlements. Zinggong or "palace on tour."
 Lesser activities such as markets and mercantile shops –
should be situated at secondary sites.

6. The ancestral temple should be to the right of the central Zhaigong

axis, with the altar of heaven
7. A great wall symbolizing the power of the emperor should another type of gong, where the
enclose the whole metropolis emperor prepared himself for
abstinence before he offers sacrifice at
grand ceremonies.

 STRUCTURES AND EXAMPLES

I. GUNG PALACES

 Early times- meant as an ordinary house. I. FORBIDDEN CITY

 Qin Dynasty (221- 207 B. C.) - group of buildings in which
the emperor lived and worked.
 Chinese palaces grew ever larger in scale.
 Dian - Large single building in traditional Chinese
architecture and generally referred to as dadian (grand
hall)
 - Also called zhengdian (central hall) as it is invariably built
on the axis of an architectural complex.
 Grandest of all building, being symbolic of the supreme
power of the emperor.
Examples:
 With ritualistic and religious concepts. Conceived in a
dream by Yunglo's tutor, a visionary monk - imagined an
extraterrestrial city, where the Lord of Heaven resided in a
purple enclosure (believed to be a constellation formed by
15 heavenly bodies turning round the polestar).
 Consists of 980 surviving buildings with 8,707 bays of
rooms and covers 720,000 square metres (7,800,000
square feet).
 Used by the two feudal dynasties of the Ming and Qing
for 491 years.
 Embodied with material and aesthetic function as well
as spiritual needs in the overall planning and the layout of
the architectural groups - Chinese houses made of timber
frame structures.

Efang/Epang Palace The

imperial palace of the
first and second
emperors of the Qin
Dynasty (221-206BC)

Weiyang Palace

was sited to the southwest of Han

dynasty Chang'an and is therefore also
called the Western Palace ( 西 宫). The
palace survived until the Tang dynasty
when it was burned down by
marauding invaders en route to the
Tang capital Chang'an.

Yiheynan Park used to be the Summer

Palace
MAIN PARTS OF THE FORBIDDEN CITY
2. QIN TOMBS

 In 221 years B.C. Emperor Qin Shi

Huang unified the whole of China,
becoming the first emperor of China.
 He built palaces in Xianyang and
began to build his mausoleum until
his death.
 Famous for the Terracotta Army, a
form of funerary art buried with the emperor. Their
purpose was to help rule another empire with Shi Huang
Di in the afterlife.
 Mount Lishan is also where the material to make the
terracotta warriors originated. In addition to the warriors,
an entire man
 Made necropolis for the emperor has been excavated

3. SONG AND TANG TOMBS

 The Tang dynasty was a powerful one in the middle

period.
 Built its capital Chang’an according to strict plan including
magnificent palaces and gigantic mausoleums.
II. TOMBS  Also inherited the tomb system of the Han

Emperors of all dynasties lay emphasis on the  Sacred way in front ,


with stone sculptures of
construction of mausoleums.
 Usually built against hills or mountains and facing plains. men and animals lined
Shendao (the Sacred Way) - broad ways at the entrance. on both sides

Along both sides are stone sculptures of men and animals  Above-ground halls
which guard the tombs.

TOMBS EXAMPLE 4. MING TOMB

1. HAN TOMBS  Final resting place of 13 of the 16

 Inherited the system of the Qin.
 Tomb chambers are buried deep into the underground
while on the ground; a high mound is piled up with halls
built for worshipping purposes.
 Built with brick and stone in the shape of rectangular,
using long stone slabs or hollow bricks for the floor, ceiling,
and the walls.
 Walls and ceilings are carved with all kinds of designs,
human figures, images of animals, scenes, etc.
emperors, located 42 km
northwest of Beijing, in a
mountain valley just below the
Great Wall.
 Tombs are approached from the south by a five-arched
gate, beyond which a long "spirit road," lined with men
and animals, leads to the burials.
 Tombs are nestled in a valley, according to feng shui
principles, and surrounded by groves of cypresses.
 Each emperor was buried underneath a tumulus (large
earthen mound).
 Tomb was preceded by a sacrificial hall and "spirit tower"
and surrounded by subsidiary tombs for wives, concubines,
and princes.
 Included are houses and working quarters, amounting to a
substantial town, for - priests, caretakers, and supporting
personnel – (maintained the tomb and performed the
prescribed Confucian rites and sacrifices on behalf of the
deceased emperor).
Structures found in Ming Tomb
1. Five-gated Stone Pailou
2. Stele Pavillion
3. Huabiao - Marble commemorative pillars at the 4 corners of
the stele pavilion, where they symbolize the four quarters of
the world
4. Spirit Road
5. Shisanling Stele - BIXI, a mythological tortoise, carries the
great weight of the8.0 m-tall (26') stele. Its 3,500-character text
eulogizes Emperor Yongle, whose tomb lies at the end of the
spirit road. - mythological tortoise cosmologically supports the
earth.
6. Longfeng "Dragon and Phoenix" Gate- Triple gate stands at
the north end of the spirit road, which then extends onward to
the burial precincts
7. Spirit Tower, Changling
III. TEMPLES
 Began as a shrine to hold the Buddhist relics. Shape
evolved from the Indian stupa and Sikhara
 Believed to be the residences of the immortals but later
evolved as a watch tower and defense from evil spirits.
 Indian form of stupa merge with the classical ancient
chinese watch tower, a very prominent element in the
landscape.
 Grottoes/Cave temples and or Timber frame Structure
Temples:
 Resemble Indian temples, consisting of open courts,
porticos with kitchen, refectories and sleeping cells of
priests.
 Housed a big bell or drum used to announce time. Local
officials would open the city gates at the toll of the bell
early in the morning and close them with the strike of the
drum in the evening.
 Normal type consist:

1) Three lofty one-storey pavilions with parallel open

timber roof
2) Approached by broad steps, gateways and
bridges

A. GROTTOES AND CAVE TEMPLES

 Buddhism was introduced to China through the ancient

Silk Road which was the road of commercial trade and a
road of cultural exchange.
 Rock Cut temples were brought to China from Central Asia
Entrance Gate  Begun in the north during the Northern Dynasties.
 Cave dug into a cliff, which is a form of India’s early
Buddhist architecture

Stele Pavillion Two forms of grottos:

a) Small cave in square shape, gate in front within the cave

are niches arranged in parallel on three sides, which are for
the monk to sit in and meditate.

Huabiao
b) Bigger with a pagoda built in the center of the rear part,
the place in front of the pagoda is for the disciples to get
together to pay respects to the Buddha.

Statues were made bigger, more divinely impressive and

attractive to the believers.

Spirit Road
 1) Dunhuang, Mogao Caves begun
in 366
1) Famen Temple (Famen town
( 法 門 鎮 ), Fufeng County,
China)

2) Yungang Caves in 460

2) Shaolin Temple (Dengfeng

County, Henan Province, China)

3) Longmen (Dragon's Gate), early

6th c
 TEMPLE PERIODS

4) Bingling and Maijishan in the  EASTERN HAN DYNASTY

early 5th c
 Buddhism was introduced to China during this period.
The early Chinese Buddhist temples followed Indian style,
which set the stupa as its center. They once had a
traditional Chinese name - Ci (ancestral temple) and the
number was very limited.
5) Tianlongshan Grottoes, Shanxi

6) GIANT BUDDHA, Lingyun Temple,

Leshan of Sichuan Province

White Horse Temple in Luoyang

B. BUDDHIST TEMPLES  NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN DYNASTIES

 Main form of Buddhist architecture (386 - 589) to Five Dynasties (907 - 960)
 Objects worshipped by believers are only relics, remains
of Buddha, as well as souvenirs representing the  Buddhism was at its height of splendor and power.
experience of Buddha during his lifetime.  In the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), the main Buddhist sects
 Buddhist temples are divided into several kinds in line were formed and developed. Many Buddhist temples
with the layout were built with larger dimensions.
 The main type of which is temples with a pagoda at its  Walls of the courtyard were decorated with exquisite
center. In this type, the open space in the courtyard embossment. A niche was placed in the middle of the
provides room for monks to walk around. north wall. A Buddhist pylon stood in the centre of the
 The towering pagoda is the main part of the design. If temple.
there are watchtowers in the four corners of the
courtyard, they echo and set off the big pagoda,
constituting rich scenery.
 The layout of temples built in the cities is similar to that of
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda in
the complex of other large buildings.
Xian
 All the places for worshipping activities are located in the
suburbs, far away from the noises of the city and seem
closer to the universe.
 SONG DYNASTY (960 - 1279) ---
 LATE QING DYNASTY (1644 - 1911)
 The social position of Buddhism overall was weakened in
the Song Dynasty but Zen, a major sect of Chinese
Buddhism, began to flourish in this period. The layout of
temples changed little by little.
Xiangguo Temple in Kaifeng City
C. TAOIST TEMPLES
 SONG DYNASTY (960 - 1279) -
 LATE QING DYNASTY (1644 - 1911)
 Architecture is a little less grand
 The main deity is usually represented in the main hall
which is at the front, in contrast to the Buddhist layout
where the main hall will be to the rear
 Entrance is usually at or to the side which is believed to
confuse entry by demons (a Feng Shui guideline)
 Taoist roofs are generally blue
 Sacrificial altar for the emperors of the Ming and Qing
dynasties to worship heaven and pray for a good harvest.
 Twice a year the emperor came here to perform the most
sanctified rituals of the empire.
 - On the 15th day of the first lunar month, he sacrificed to
ensure an abundant grain harvest.
 At the winter solstice, he expressed his gratitude for the
blessings from Heaven.
 Founded by Ming Emperor Yung-lo and built in 1420,
same time the Forbidden City was built. Rebuilt in 1530
and 1889. -
 Covers an area of 273 hectares, four times the Forbidden
City.
 Circular tripled-roofed covered with deep cobalt-blue
glazed tiles
Temple of Heaven (Ch’i Nien Tien),
Beijing
Qingyang Palace
Temple of Honan
Temple of Sleeping Buddha
IV. PAGODAS
 Began as a shrine to hold the Buddhist relics. Shape
evolved from the Indian stupa and sikhara
 Believed to be the residences of the immortals but later
evolved as a watch tower and defense from evil spirits.
 Indian form of stupa merge with the classical ancient
chinese watch tower, a very prominent element in the
landscape.
 Originally 3-4 storey pavilions increase to seven, nine or
even more than 10 stories and in overall planning, from
the bottom to the top
1) Every floor is smaller than the previous so that outside
line of the pagoda is slant or curved line
2) The height of every storey is lower than the previous one
so that it looks higher and more imposing
3) Multiple stories were added to lend visual power and
prestige. o majestic and striking in style o used by the
ruling class to show off its power and wealth
 Made of brick or stone to mimic the classical wooden
structures.
 Associated with Feng Shui to insure good fortune
EXAMPLES:
1. WOOD
White Horse Pagoda at White
Horse Temple, Luoyang. China's first
pagoda - Futuci Pagoda in Xuzhou, built
in the Three Kingdoms period (220-265)
2. BRICK
40 m pagoda at Songye Temple –
oldest Pagoda - Dengfeng Country,
Henan - built in 520 during the
Northern Wei Dynasty, and has
survived almost 1500 year
3. STONE
4-door pagoda at Licheng,
Shandong, built in 611 during the Sui
Dynasty - earliest large-scale stone
pagoda
4. BRICK AND STONE
Porcelain Pagoda, Nanjing -
famous brick and stone
pagoda
V. PAILOUS (BAILOUS/PAIFANG)
 Derived from Indian toranas
 Erected in memory of virtuous people
 Ceremonial entrances/ archways to temples, tombs or
occasionally spanning a street
 Constructed of wood or stone, painted or ornamented
with glazed tiles
 One or multiple openings, formed by posts supporting
horizontal rails bearing an inscription
 Crowned with bold projecting roofs of symbolically
colored tiles.
Examples
5-gated Stone Pailou, Ming
Tombs
Pailou which spans the avenue
leading to the Temple of the
Sleeping Buddha
Marble Pailou at the Altar of Heaven,
Beijing
VI. ORNAMENTAL PILLARS (HUABIAO)
 Architectural ornament,
often seen on the
grounds of palaces,
imperial gardens and
mausoleums. And may
also be seen in some
crossroads to mark the
thoroughfares.

 Bangmu (commentary board) - when placed outside
palaces, - Shendaozhu (spiritway columns) - when placed
outside a tomb
VII. HOUSES/DWELLINGS
 Climate has a huge impact on the construction of Chinese
homes, both because it shapes the materials available and
determines the kind of shelter people need.
 Houses in the north respond to the colder, drier climate,
while in the south, heat and humidity are major factors
influencing design. Some regional variation - a matter of
style unrelated to geography.
 Courtyards of houses in the north are often much larger
than those in the south.
 Way of laying out a house was similar among the rich and
poor, both in earlier and later times in materials and
techniques:
 Pounded earth foundations
 Timber framing - Use of bricks and tiles -
 Roofing materials vary depending on the wealth of a
family
 Thatch and bamboo
 common materials for the poor
 Wood framework systems for Chinese homes and other
buildings were standardized by the Ming dynasty.
 Wealth and regional variation - houses were by no means A five-bay house in Zhejiang
identical in all parts of China Province
 Basic principles of house design - emphasis on orientation,
layout, and symmetry

 Houses face south - one of the most striking aspects of Yurt - traditional dwelling of inner
Chinese Mongolians
 domestic architecture - Related to sunlight, and the
direction of prevailing winds, especially cold winds

 Decorative Elements - Combination of practical concerns,

folk beliefs, and pure ornamentation.
Beijing's Hutong and Courtyard
1. Walls and eaves are often decorated.
2. Doorways and windows are given more attention
3. good or evil spirits enter
4. Elegant decorative schemes would also provide
ventilation or shading.
5. Many openings would be covered with latticework in
variety of patterns that "shape the wind" or alter the way
air flows into a home. VIII. BRIDGES
 Constitute the main characteristic of the Chinese
landscape and has been estimated that there are 12
bridges per square mile in the parts of the country.
Examples

 CAVE DWELLLINGS
IX. GREAT WALL OF CHINA
Common in certain areas of northern China where they
serve as homes for more than 40 million people.
 Ancient Chinese started building fortifications as early as
the eth c. BC.

1. Barrier against barbarian attacks

2. Fortified highway for moving troops along the northern
Cliffside Dwellings border
3. Physical boundary between China and the barbarian lands
to the north
4. Signal to barbarians of China's territorial claims

 First emperor of the Qin dynasty (221-206 B.C.) connected

Pit Dwellings the existing walls into a single system.
 Periodically rebuilt, with most of the current wall dating to
the Ming dynasty (1368-1644)

 HOUSES IN SOUTHERN ANHUI PROVINCE

 Decorative fire walls known as

“horse's head wall”

 End or gable walls which rise

above the roof lines
 Originally served as fire
barriers between houses to
prevent the spread of flames that would catch in the
wooden roof supports.
X. GARDENS  FOUR PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS

HISTORY 1) ROCK
 Originated in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, when is classified as "yang" because it is
monarchs began to build parks for their own leisure and strong, durable, hard and "male" -
pleasure. Top-heavy, rugged stones that seemed
 Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period - to defy gravity and hang in the air like
fashion to build gardens clouds were the most highly prized.
 Han dynasty - private gardens appeared
 Tang and Song dynasties - a poetic touch was added to the
layout and scenes of a garden, and became a general
feature. 2) WATER
 Qing dynasty - garden architecture reached its peak
central component of the garden.

 Believed to serve as a balance for

USES
other elements in nature and in the
garden.
 Retreats – setting for peaceful contemplation  Typically broken into small,
 Settings for family festivals and socialization separate areas that are sometimes
 Considered an acceptable location for the women of the connected with ponds or flowing
household to relax, enjoy a pleasant and safe natural water. Pools are made to wander,
setting, and socialize among themselves and with visitors. disappear, then reappear at the
 Gatherings for members of the scholar class devoted to next corner to hold the “chi.”
cultivated pursuits like painting, calligraphy, and playing
the zither, as well as for discussing important topics of the
day.

3.) BUILDINGS COULD SERVE AS

CLASSIFICATIONS RESIDENCES
 Imperial gardens - usually spacious, exquisite and  Connected by covered walkways
grandiose with a variety of plants, symbolic trees and and different spaces are visually
smaller gardens for linked by views glimpsed through
specific purposes. open doorways, lattice windows,
and decorative openings in walls.
Forbidden Palace, China  Overall arrangement of buildings
divides the interior space of the
garden into smaller cells that
contain one or many small scenic
views.
 Private gardens - built in urban
areas, neighbored with
residences. Generally small and
simple due to expensive land.
Most famous private gardens 4.) PLANTS - Visual effects of plant
are situated in Suzhou, Jiangsu. materials were more important than the
plants themselves.

 Monastic gardens - found in

monasteries against quite and
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verdant mountains with
natural beauty - solemn within
the sacred atmosphere
Xiè xiè nín !
Shaolin Temple, China