No doubt that one of the most attractive features of China is its architecture, which is the great art itself. Its one of the main reasons why people travel China. Different kinds of architecture reflect different historical periods of the country. Architecture styles are divided into several groups, among them Imperial architecture, Religious architecture and Commoner architecture.
Imperial architecture
All Chinese emperors of each dynasties had their palaces. Emperors used to invite lots of best Chinese architects to build their palaces so that the building had its unique characteristic features. Colour is the first feature. Yellow colour was the Imperial colour and the colour of roof tiling whereas the walls and wooden columns where red.
Number nine is the second distinguishing feature of the Imperial architecture. In China it is considered to be extremely lucky number. Nine pointed out Emperor's superiority, it was placed on the doors, roofs and columns of the buildings. Besides Forbidden City in Beijing is one of the examples of he Imperial architecture, there are 9,999.5 rooms in the palace.
Religious architecture
Religious architecture in many respects reflexes imperial style. Temple, grotto and pagoda are three main features of Buddhist architecture. Temple was the place where monks spent their religious live. Buildings were symmetric and faced south. Temple gate, the Main Hall and Sutra Library and Heavenly King Hall belong to the period of religious architecture.
Grotto was as a result of appearance of Indian Buddhism. This huge and refined buildings belong to the Northern and Southern dynasty. Among famous grottos are Mogao Caves, Yungang Grottoes and Longmen Grottoes.
Pagodas were made of brick, bronze, stone and iron. This was a many-storied construction first made of wood. With time pagodas became more and more ornamental.
Commoner architecture
Commoner architecture reflects the buildings of merchants and farmers. The building were not very big and complicated in their design. In case the family became bigger, additional rooms were added to the house. If you travel China and visit some provinces you'll such houses even nowadays.
See Also:
Eating & drinking in China
Art of China |