Architecture

Chinese architecture is as old as Chinese civilization itself. Styles and motifs in Chinese architecture have amazing been constant for thousands of years, and this style has spread to various other countries throughout Asia. Architecture plays a large role in the development of any culture and China is no exception. Ways of thinking, attitudes and ideas in Chinese culture are all embodied in buildings and structures.


Imperial Architecture

Built to accommodate the emperor, his family and concubines, as well as countless officials and generals throughout ancient China, imperial architecture is some of the most impressive in China. These structures could be used as living quarters, government offices or places to carry out official ceremonies. Imperial structures were often massive; for example, the Forbidden City in Beijing is 720,000 square meters. These structures were often highly ordered, arranged on and axis and focused on symmetry.  This represented the imperial family’s harmony with nature and the universe.

Imperial architecture generally consists of a series of halls, one leading to another. Walkways partially open to the outside or stone paths are often incorporated into imperial structures, allowing a mix of the natural and the manmade.

Symbolism and numerology played a large role in imperial architecture. The number nine was considered to be extremely lucky and designs using a pictures and statues that resemble the number nine. Many ancient palaces were built with nine distinct sections. The direction of a structure played an important symbolic role, and structures used for imperial use were often built to face the east. All imperial structures are packed with various symbols that reveal the ideas and beliefs of the builders.

Imperial gardens differ from other imperial architecture because they were not symmetrical. Rather imperial gardens were more free-form and very asymmetrical. Ponds, streams, trees, rocks and more were all incorporated into gardens to create a serene atmosphere. Imperial gardens were used for relaxation and contemplation, but also musical and other performances.


Religious Architecture

There are three main types of religious architecture in China: Buddhist, Taoist and Muslim. Buddhist structures often follow the imperial pattern. After entering the front gate, visitors are led through a series of halls and chambers; the holiest Bodhisattva statues are kept at the back of the temple while lesser ones are towards the beginning of the complex. Pagodas, or large towers built in or near temples, are also common.

Grottoes, another type of Buddhist religious architecture, are cave complexes built into cliff faces. Paintings, frescoes, statues and other precious art objects are often found in grottoes. This protects them from exposure to wind and rain and means that some of the oldest, un-restored Chinese art can be found in Buddhist caves.

Taoist temples are usually less imposing and often resemble peasant homes. Statues representing major gods and spirits are placed in the front of the temple, while minor ones are generally in the back and sides. Taoist temples, particularly, emphasize principles of Chinese geomancy (fengshui).

Muslim architecture in China mostly consists of mosques. In western regions of China, mosque architecture resemble Central Asian and Iranian designs, where as in other areas mosques take elements from Chinese imperial architecture. In these mosques, symmetry is important and flared roofs and archways are common.  Minarets can still be seen in a variety of Chinese mosques, regardless of region.


Minority Architecture

Various minority groups throughout China have their own unique architectural styles that differ greatly from China’s ethnic majority, then Han people. Dong people, in China’s south western, Hunan, Guizhou and Guangxi provinces, are known for their drum towers. These wooden towers are built in the heart of villages and function as a center for social activity. The Dong people are also known for the long wooden covered bridges that criss-cross the countryside.

Tibetan architecture is closely linked to Buddhism and Tibet is known for its impressive temple complexes. Buddhist temples are made of a combination of wood, stone, rocks, cement and soil and are often built on hillsides facing south. Their distinctive flat roofs conserve heat in a cold mountain climate and prayer wheels (small wheels that visitors and monks spin as a form of religious devotion) can be seen at virtually every temple.

China’s Mongolian ethnicity was for centuries a nomadic people and this can be seen in their traditional architecture. Mongolian nomads live in yurts (or ger in Mongolian). These are round felt tents with light wooden frames that can be easily packed up and carried on horseback. This allows Mongolian nomads to follow their flocks of sheep and other grazing animals. Though many Mongolians have moved to cities, these tents can still be seen on the grasslands of Inner Mongolia.