Chinese civilization originated in the Neolithic period in the cool temperate provinces of the north-east
Dougong translated as "cap (and) block," is a system of wooden brackets that can support the overhanging roofs commonly found in Chinese architecture.
FORBIDDEN CITY
SUMMER PALACE
TIANTAN SHRINE
A shaman is an intermediary between the natural and the spiritual worlds who travels between these worlds in a trance.
five main characteristics of Chinese architecture
Unity of structure with architectural art
Good anti-seismic function
A high degree of standardization
Bright colors
Systemic grouping of buildings
palaces or temples, walls, pillars, doors and window frames were painted red
Most of the luxurious palaces of the emperors of China were destroyed when the dynasties fell. Only the Forbidden City in Beijing, built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, is preserved intact
Huanqiutan is a three-tiered circular, marble terrace, the uppermost tier of which is 26 m and the lowest tier 55 m in diameter. (worship of heaven)
Qiniandian - has a triple conical roof of deep-blue glazed tiles topped with a large gold-plated ball, and red columns, door and window frames, dark green dougong and beams (prayers for good harvest)
Heaven was said to be circular and the earth square
Mausolea - These structures account for a major part in ancient Chinese architecture since they usually stand for the highest architectural techniques of the time
Most imperial mausoleums have broad ways called Shendao (the Sacred Way) at the entrance
Shisanlang Tombs - were used for the burial of thirteen Ming emperors and empresses
A stone pailou proclaims the entrance and beyond it the road is line by giant statues of officials horse and camels
Lingen Memorial Hall is one of the largest ancient timber-framed buildings existing in China today.
Songyue Temple built in 520 at Mount Songshan is the earliest known Chinese brick pagoda (Pagodas with closely layered eaves)
this is an example of Pagodas with closely layered eaves
Storeyed pagodas
The White Pagoda is a Vase shaped pagodas
Groups of pagodas honoring Buddha’s warrior attendants - Five pagodas were usually placed along the diagonals of a square terrace decorated with carved statues. Each was a closely-layered eaves pagoda and pyramidal in shape.
Single storey pagodas These pagodas were built as tombs for monks and nuns
Wooden tower pagodas - These pagodas were built from the third century onwards, but the Shijia Pagoda in the Buddhist Palace Temple, Shanxi province, built in 1056 is the only surviving building of this kind in China
Main Hall of Foguang Monastery - one of China’s earliest extant wooden structures
cao = space ; stupa = ta or pagoda
Mo-ni Hall - dates from 1052 and has a cruciform plan shape. The roof is a sophisticated structure, light in form and ingeniously constructed
Potala Palace
group of buildings with both Han and Tibetan architectural features is Puning Monastery
Grottoes - shrines carved into cliff faces and inside the caves
The Humble Administrator's Garden - largest and most renowned classical landscape garden in Suzhou
the front gate in a siheyuan is faced south
China has a long history of bridge building
Jade Belt Bridge
Anji Bridge
The Great Wall is 6000 km (3726 miles) long, was built between the seventh and fifth centuries BC
Steel framed structures were used in Shanghai from 1916 onwards
Shanghai Post Office Building
Continental Bank - was designed by Bei Shou-tong (1875 – 1945) and Guan Song- sheng (1892 – 1961), two of the earliest of China’s qualified architects
National Hall - where the first National Congress of the National Governent was held in 1946, was designed using a new national style