Facts About China Architecture and Chinese Buildings Art

China's distinctive architecture makes up an important part of China's splendid civilization. Together with Western and Muslim architecture, the three styles comprise the world's major architectural systems.

In the Paleolithic Age, Chinese ancestors lived on fishery and hunting, and were sheltered in trees and caves. In the Neolithic Age, Chinese ancestors engaged in raising animals and farming, and settled down by digging caves and by building simple houses with twigs and lumber, thus commencing their architectural activities.During the 3,000 years of the feudalist society, Chinese ancient architecture formulated gradually its unique system, coupled with a considerable progress in urban planning, garden designing, and house construction technique. In 221 B.C., the First Emperor of the Qin Empire mobilized the resources of the country to do construction works on a massive scale, including A' Fang Palace, the Emperor's Mausoleum, the Great Wall and the Dujiangyan Water-Conservancy Project. In the Later dynasties, many more massive construction works of lasting fame were carried out.

China's wood frameworks are unique in the world. They reflect the values, aesthetic and ethical standard of the Chinese people. Chinese architecture is rooted in cultural tradition and features several characteristics. It highlights absolute imperial power and strict social status. The best examples of this can be found in the palaces and forbidden cities. Chinese architecture also stresses overall beauty and its axial layout pattern is widely used in buildings. The Chinese style also incorporates elements of nature and emphasizes a graceful, reserved and easy-going beauty. Apart from the Han ethnic group, architecture in the ethnic minorities is also diversified and distinct.

Chinese architecture can be categorized into imperial palaces, religious temples, ancient gardens, tombs group and ordinary ethnic residences.

The online website of the China travel agency - China Fact Tours has fruitful information regarding facts about China and China Architecture [http://www.chinafacttours.com/facts/a], as well as a great deal of practical China travel information and travel resources be of help before you plan a trip to China!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C_Lee
http://EzineArticles.com/?Facts-About-China-Architecture-and-Chinese-Buildings-Art&id=1771784

The Beauty of Ancient Chinese Architecture

With a civilization history of over 5000 years, traditional Chinese architecture develops a school of its own, and has become an important component of the world architecture system. What does ancient Chinese architecture look like? What are the key features? The ancient Chinese architecture mainly refers to the structures built before 1911 (however, some latter-days buildings are also designed with a traditional style), including delicate gardens, magnificent rock caves, solemn imperial palaces, time-honored temples and monasteries...

The basic distinguishing characteristic of Chinese architecture is the employing of timber frames and rectangular units of space joined together as a whole. All ancient structures lay emphasis on horizontal and focus on the principle of balance and symmetry. In addition, they were built to face south to get more sunshine and avoid the cold wind. The roofs usually slope down on both sides and have a symbolism involved. Yet the styles and features may vary a little according to different areas of China.

The Chinese imperial architecture

Imperial architecture is composed of the palaces built for ancient emperors, solemn, most luxurious and extremely valuable in the architecture history. Imperial palaces were strictly arranged in balance, while the layout indicated the hierarchy concept and feudal netiquettes. And the roofs were painted into gold embody the royal sovereign. Forbidden City, also named the Palace Museum or the Imperial Palace is the most outstanding representative of imperial architecture, which was completed in 1420 and served as the palace for emperors of the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911).

Grottoes and rock-cut architecture in China

Chinese Grotto complex are endowed with Buddhist flavor, and thought as a treasure of Buddhist art. Grotto first appeared in India and later was introduced into China, and reached its peak during Northern and Southern Dynasties (420- 589). Grottos are caves curved on the cliffs, usually huge project and with exquisite engravings. Inside, there are murals that tell Buddhist stories and convey the doctrine, as well as Buddhist sculptures of various sizes. The most famous grotto complex include Mogao Grottoes, Longmen Grottoes, Yungang Grottoes and Mt. Maiji Grottoes.

Ancient gardens

Ancient Chinese gardens can be divided into two types, royal gardens in Beijing and private gardens mainly in Suzhou, both of superb architectural art achievement. The essence of constructing a Chinese garden is to well design all the elements including fake mountain, small pool, the path, rocks, plants, indoor decoration... Royal gardens are luxurious and elegant, while Suzhou gardens are smaller but more exquisite with various techniques. The most famous private gardens include Garden of Net Master, Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden.

Easy Tour China and its website are operated by a team of professional travel specialists at Easy Tour China Travel Co., Ltd. ( License: L-GX00493 ). Started in 1999, it was one of the earliest China tour web sites. After 10+ years of hard work, Easy Tour China won the wide recognition of the partners and customers, and has become a reputable online travel service provider in China. Thousands of tourists from all over the world booked their memorable trips with us. http://www.easytourchina.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Augest_Lee
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Beauty-of-Ancient-Chinese-Architecture&id=8145986