CHINESE

ARCHITECTURE
Sta Cruz, Pauline Mhargel V.
History of Architecture 3
A-50
AR. Yosef Maru Pablo
Background
Chinese architecture, China's built structures, especially those

located in the 18 historical provinces of China bordered on the west by

the Tibetan Highlands, on the north by the Gobi and on the southwest by

Myanmar ( Burma), Laos and Vietnam. Because the Chinese were mainly

made of wood, which is susceptible to moisture, fire, insects and the

ravages of time; very little ancient architectures, survived. Brick and

stone are used for defensive walls, gates and bridges were built as archs,

and the vault for tombs. Only rarely has the corbeled dome been used for

temples and graves (in which each successive course projects inward

from the course below it). Single story architecture dominates northern

and most eastern China. A popular belief in the power of heaven and the

ancestral spirits to affect the living, and a shared focus on the importance

of ritual and sacrifice to achieve peace between heaven, nature, and man.

Such values appear to have a major impact on the character of Chinese

architecture and art.

GEOGRAPHY

The Chinese Empire consisting of Thibet, Mongolia, and Corea, a part of the China

proper, are cities larger than the size of Europe. It is most of the mountainous parts are

found as well as the four great trading rivers where merchandise is carried making easy

access for internal commerce.

Moreover, a spread of network of canals used for irrigation and navigation with

the navigable rivers in areas of low-lying provinces made the primary highways of China.

Extending from Tientsin to Hangchow is a 600 miles in length known as the " Grand

Canal." Which its coast has stupendous harbours that must have connected India and

Assyria as well as the consequential influence in their architectural forms (Fletcher 1905,

634).
GEOLOGICAL
Metal, coal, salt, iron, and copper’s abundance have always been the materials

that made China one of the wealthy countries. China, as primeval India, has been

employing wood in buildings by the expansive forests of bamboo and pine present in

ancient China.

Che-kiang a province in China is where large beds of porcelain clay are found.

City walls, usually made from brick is typically 18 inches long. While buildings are

being built with small grey-colored bricks. Meanwhile, in their roofs, tiles, plain,

glazed, and colored, are used, with the imperial color being yellow. Stones are also

abundant upon building bridges, gateways, and public works. While balustrades around

tombs made from marble are one of the significant in buildings. (Fletcher 1905, 635)
CLIMATE
The formation of the mountains of east and west, leading the ocean winds,

caused the moderate temperature. North China incorporates a short, however, frosty

winter and heat and rainy summer. While throughout the monsoons, heavy rains occur,

that influenced such features because the widely protruding roof with steep surfaces

permitting the simple discharge of rain-water. Roofs are turned up at the eaves to admit

light while not the warmth of the sun.

Meanwhile, fires are only being used for private functions and not for comfort,

chimneys are unimportant features and rarely provided, the charcoal or wood fire being

allowed to eject its fumes into the cookery residences. (Fletcher 1905, 635)
RELIGION
China has three religions, these are Buddhism introduced by India (A.D. 90),

Confucianism developed by the Master Kong who was given the name of confucius by

the Jesuit missionaries in 551-479 BC, and Taoism a religion and philosophy ascribed

to Lao Tzu in 500 BCE.

Confucianism is a code of moral doctrines and conduct that can be hardly be

called a religion. A significant religious structure's absence is presumably the

consequence of having no prevailing monasticism.

This absence has always made travelers wonder for the Chinese have plausibly

been civilized as long as the Egyptians created an architecture supreme in its grandeur.

Temples and shrines constructed to Buddha or Confucius. However, many are

insignificant. Moreover, low-class families have their own altar. While household gods

and the wealthy family have their ancestral hall of worship. Ancestral worship is

profound which leads to such veneration for graves wherein Chinese will plow around

them for ages without being guilty of the sacrilege of destroying them (Fletcher 1905,

636).
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL
The Chinese government is dictatorial, Emperor as the ruler of State and Church

while provinces are ruled by the mandarins.

About A.D. 600, Numerous trades and crafts or Guilds established a significant

influence, resembling the constitution of the medieval guilds of Europe.

A law that controls the forms and dimensions of the residence for all classes of the

residents affected their domestic architecture. The social provision of the Indian and West

Asiatic countries that were ruled by monarchs highest in authority was fruitful of

architectural works leading to the glorification of such monarchy.

China labeled as the country of the middle classes. Small proprietaries and

merchants whose buildings indicate a relation to utility and whose temples express just the

will to accommodate the current needs instead of showing to future generations those

feelings of eternal magnanimousness that mark the styles of Egypt and Greece (Fletcher

1905, 636-637).
HISTORICAL
The early history of China is wrapped in the mists of antiquity. About B.C. 246-210,

the Chow Dynasty is were the first universal Emperor, Che-Hwang-te built of the " Great

Wall," (B.C. 214), constructed roads, and canals.

Buddhism was then introduced from India during the Eastern Han Dynasty (A.D. 23-

220), the reign of Ming Te.

Early in the year A.D. 841-847, Temples and Monasteries were eradicated by Emperor

Woo-Tsung. Buddhism was resurrected by the Emperor E-Tsung (A.D. 860-874). The Chinese

Emperor conquered Chaldaea during the tenth century, penetrated the Mediterranean, and for

more than sixty years established a protectorate in Mesopotamia. It is possible that Chaldaean

temples in receding stages were the prototypes of many Chinese structures, and even pagodas.

The art of enamelled brickwork as employed in China dates from this expedition some time.

The Yuen Dynasty or Mongul (A.D. 1259-1368). Under Emperor Kublai (A.D. 1259-

1294) China achieved its greatest extent, with the exception of Hindustan, Arabia, and Western

638 COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE. Asia was tributary to all Mongul princes as far as

the Dnieper. The Emperor pursued public works and literature which was patronized. It was

during his rule (A.D. 1260), that the Persian staff invented the technique of making porcelain

blue and white. Dynasty of the Ming (1368-1644 A.D.) Afterwards Nankin, the capital,

changed to Pekin (Fletcher 1905, 637-638).

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
Their own architectural character began in the Eastern Han dyna ty (25-220).

During that time, structural techniques like ‘beam-in-tiers’ and column-and-tie beam’

methods were commonly used, either of those two may be used with ground floors

supported on substantial plinths or raised on stilts. While in forest regions, 'Iog-cabin’

a much simpler methods were used. pagodas and grottoes appeared in different parts

of China as a result of the growth of Buddhism (Fletcher n.d.).

Architecture is a faithful index of China’s civilization. It seems to emerge little

progress and has exerted only a small influence on other styles.Applying permanent

bright colors in glazed tiles or majolica work forms a significant part in their

architecture. Wood cedar, pine, chestnut or bamboo are often used to frame up the

sliding screens which run in grooves.

The characteristics of pagodas or towers, in receding stories, are curved roof

coated in gaily- color where angle bells were hung and embellished with figures in

high relief. There is no distinction that has been made between their civil and their

religious architecture. Because apparently, in China, the temple is only a better

version of a house having an altar (Fletcher 1905, 638).

Temples and Monasteries

There were two types of Buddhist temple: the first combined a tall, symbolic

feature (a stupa or pagoda) with a temple-hall; the second and later type consisted of

buildings arranged around courtyards. The earliest example of the first type were

temples with stupa which had been Introduce from India at the time of the Eastern Han

dynasty. The second type of temple without either stupa or pagoda evolved in many

parts of China between the first and sixth centuries (Fletcher, n.d.).

In the plains of China such buildings are usually planned on symmetrical lines

(Fletcher 1905, 639).

Palaces
According to Fletcher in The Architecture of the Pre-colonial Culture outside

Europe, 694-699 When the dynasties fell, numerous luxurious palaces of the

emperors of China were destroyed and only the Forbidden City in Beijing is

preserved. The Royal Palaces was divided into an outer court and an inner court.

Surrounding the outer court were the:

• Taihedian (the Hall of Supreme Harmony)
• Zhonghedian (the Hall of Central Harmony)
• Baohedian (the Hall of Preserved Harmony)
• Wenhuadian (the Hall of Literary Glory)
• Wuyingdian (the Hall of Martial Valour)

The study room for the crown price was the Wenhuadian and the place where

he receive his ministers was the Wuyingdian. Moreover, other halls served as a place

for receptions where the administration of the empire and the celebration of important

festival happens. Furthermore, the inner court consist of the:

• Qianqinggong (the Palace of Celestial Purity)
• Kunninggong (the Palace of Terrestrial Union)
• Dongliugong (the six Eastern courtyards)
• Xiliugong (the six Western Courtyard)
 The Summer Palace at Pekin

Was destroyed in 1860, it covered twelve square miles

consisting of the Emperor and his ministers' thirty

residences. Amongst these is the "Hall of Audience," the

principal apartment sized 120 ft. Long, 42 ft. Wide, and

20 ft. High.
PAGODAS

It is derived from Indian prototypes and varies from three to thirteen stories in

height, a typical number being nine. Back then Pagodas are religiously significant, but

those erected lately are secular in character, occasionally being monuments of victory.

It is typically polygonal in plan, thus allowing the junctions of the roofs in each

story to be richly ornamented. They are built in various materials including wood to

cast iron, are solid or hollow, the latter having staircases leading to each floor level

(Fletcher 1905, 642).

The Pagoda at
Nankin
Was destroyed in 1856, It is also known

as the Porcelain Tower. Planned

octagonally in 40 ft. in diameter and 200

ft. high. Each story’s roofs has its eaves

curled upwards with 150 angle belles

hanged. It was built using brick with

coat of colored slabs of green glazed

porcelain.
 Pailoos of China
Are a common feature in Chinese architecture

that resembles to the Torans of India and

Sanchi Topes of Japan.

These were built as a memorial arches

depicting the memory of the deceased people,

generals, philosophers, or widows.

It is built using stones and wood with three

openings formed by the posts that supports the

horizontal rails having inscriptions and

crowned

bearing an inscription surmounting with bold

projecting roofs filled with gaily- colored tiles.

HOUSES

Chinese houses are mainly built with wooden or glazed porcelain, forming a

large extent of adjustable partitions of slide in framework. Floors are typically one,

roofs are steep projecting bold eaves, having exuberant colored ornamented ridges and

glazed tiles with the ends turned up or completed with animal grotesque or many

ornaments. The framing is usually painted red, green, or blue and is built bamboo and

other woods.

The houses were built inspired by their environment. Houses being placed in

gardens, naturally arranged in landscapes. Have fountains, artificial rocks, woodland

scenery, lakes, flower beds, hanging plants, bridges spanning watercourses and

steppingstones (Fletcher 1905, 645)

Three principal divisions are:

(a) The vestibule or porter's lodge

(b) the audience chamber and family rooms

(c) the kitchen and servants' rooms

PLANS
The normal type of temple contains three Buildings parallel with and entered

through one another, which are approached by huge staircase, doorway, and bridges.

The large part are lofty one-storied buildings with open-timbered roofs. The Buddhist

temples bear a resemblance of India contains consecutive open courts and porticos, as

well as, kitchens, refectories and sleeping cells for the priests (Fletcher 1905, 646).
 WALLS

Stone is used for more significant edifices or buildings; however ordinary

buildings materials are brick (mostly used for the base of walls) and wood. Most Chinese

buildings, even when of wood, are built on a stone platform to secure the building from

damp.

Brick is intermittently complete with a glazed, colored surface, or the walls have

a facing of glazed tiles or majolica. Walls are frequently built hollow saving material and

achieving more even temperature in houses. The “taas” or “pagodas” are made of brick,

covered with particularly colored and glazed tiles or marble. Certain structures differ

from three to nine stories each being decrease in height and provided with projecting

roof (Fletcher 1905, 646-647).

OPENINGS
Chinese windows are typically square-headed, made by the rectangular framing of

timber posts or even puting together of bamboos. They are usually filled with the lining

of the oyster shell, wherein it is as transparent as talc and admit an effective, subdued

light.

Glass is hardly seen in native windows; paper was more often used as a substitute.

Doorways are a similar form variying in outline using fretted pendants from the

horizontal timbers (Fletcher 1905, 647).

ROOF

The principal ornament of the building is the roof and is considered as a sign of dignity

for possessing several roofs one over the other, that serves to protect the interior from the heat

and cold.

The frame is built with open timber to be reinforced independently of the inclosing walls,

being erected previously, and supported on wooden posts. Angles are frequently turned up

sharply and ornamented with dragon ornaments. Roofs are primarily covered with enamelled

and S-shaped colored tiles, built using beds of mortar. Ridges having intricate ornamental

cresting. It protects the house from the direct sunlight while still admitting daylight and

throwing the rain out clear of the walls (Fletcher 1905, 647-648).
 COLUMNS
The bamboo's lightness, strength, and flexibility caused it to be used in preference to

squared timbers, and its design did not allow it to square. its hard outer casing is made with great

strength, and a pith interior which has no constructive worth. Sometimes the slender columns

consist of simple circular posts with moulded base, this is given with bracketed tops of different

designs but without any capital.(Fletcher 1905, 649-650)

ORNAMENT
The ornament faithfully expresses the national characteristic of oddness. All

Eastern nations appear to have a natural instinct for harmonizing color, and to this the

Chinese are no exception. Colored ornament is applied to the buildings in the form of

enamel glazed tiles, painted woodwork, and landscape and figure subjects. It is in the

minor arts that the Chinese and Japanese excel, in their silk and cotton manufactures, in

their carvings in wood and ivory, and their vessels of porcelain. The umbrella is an old

symbol of dominion and power, and the triple umbrella is one of the most important

insignia of the Emperor of China. (Fletcher 1905, 650).

PROMINENT
EXAMPLES
 The Great Wall of China
Location: is located in Huairou District, China

Date Built:it was built on 221 B.C.

Architect: It was built by Emperor Qin Shihuang

Purpose: it was built as a military defensive line to defend the their land from some northern

nomadic nations' invasion.

 Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Location: It was built in the Northwestern Chinese province, Shaanxi. Date built: It was built in

652 during the Tang dynasty.

Architects: It was built by the first Buddhist abbot Tang Xuanzang. Purpose: The purpose of big

wild goose pagoda is to to acknowledge the dead virtuous queen, for which the status and scale

far exceeded all others

 The Temple of Heaven
Location: 1 Tiantan E Rd, Dongcheng, China, 100061

Date built: The temple of heaven was built in 1918

Architects: The architecture was designed by the Ming emperor Shizong.

Purpose: It is used by the emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties to worship the god of heaven to

ask and pray for good harvests.

The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang
Location: the mausoleum is located in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi province of

China

Date Built: It was built from 246 to 208 BC

Architects: Qin Shi Huang

Purpose: It holds the secret of the first Chinese Emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
 The Forbidden City
Location : Heart of China's Capital, Beijing

Date Built : Was completed on 1420

Architect: Nguyễn An, Cai Xin, and Kuai Xiang

Purpose: It was built for the emperors to be their palace and their own household to live in also

for the political and ritual center of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties
 References
Fercility. “Famous Ancient Chinese Buildings, Ancient Architechture Examples
in China.” China Highlights, May 17, 2020.
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/architecture/examples.htm?
fbclid=IwAR3TbkwzML8MIslXnB7ffM3_bJPj9u_ZLdWGnWSr6E7VFSv6-
MhCLWXXt70.

Fletcher, Banister. History of Architecture on The Comparative Method.

London: Bradbury, Agnew, & CO. LD., Printers, 1905.

Qiyi, Liu, Michael Sullivan, and Jerome Silbergeld. “Chinese Architecture.”

Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., April 11, 2017.
https://www.britannica.com/art/Chinese-architecture.