The Cultural Spirit of Ancient Chinese Architecture: Part 3

China's architecture pays particular attention to the beauty of group combination, and often adopts a central-axis, symmetric compact composition method. But some types, Such as gardens, certain mountain forest Taoist temples and certain residences adopt the method of free combination. No matter which composition method is adopted, great attention is paid to the pursuit of neutral, easy, reserved and deep esthetic characters, giving expressions to the esthetic habits of the Chinese nation.

Chinese architecture constitutes the only system based mainly onwooden structures of unique charming appearance. This differs from all other architectural systems in the world which are based mainly on brick and stone structures. A structure not only has its engineering and technical significance, but the structural and decorative beauty manifested in its resourceful and ingenious combination are themselves part of the architectural beauty .

In the case of a wooden structural system, in particular, its complexity and delicacy are unmatched by brick and stone structures, and therefore demonstrate the wisdom of the Chinese. Further processing of the frame members of organic structures and other affiliated frame units forms unique Chinese constructional decoration, including interior and exterior decoration, color painting, wooden, brick and stone sculptures and color glaze, all of which contain very rich techniques and a vivid development process.

The structures of various minority nationalities of China, each with its graceful bearing, have enriched the overall charming appearance of Chinese architecture. Tibetan structures are deeply rooted in the soil of the unique Tibetan Buddhist Culture, although they have absorbed some images and techniques of Han nationalitystructures.

Tibetan structures, however, have formed their own system. They contain unique features, Such as a grand scale, bright colors, and an unsophisticated and magnificent character .The Uygur has gained the greatest achievements in Islamic construction, which belongs to the global Islamic architectural system, a simple and charming model of quiet, meditative character.

The Dai nationality believes in Buddhism, and their buildings are deeply influenced by Thai and Myanmar structures. Apart from balustrade-type residences of unique features, the graceful and exquisite temples and pagodas are even more charming. Although buildings of the Dong nationality are largely influenced by Han structures, they are renowned at home and abroad with their unique drum towers and weather-proof bridges.

In addition, the Islamic structures of the Hui nationality, residences of the Naxi, Bai, Tujia and Korean nationalities all radiate their own splendor The architectural works of art of these ethnic groups, like stars glittering in the sky, jointly form the splendid Chinese architecture together with Han nationality structures.

Chinese architecture has spread to the vast East Asian region, including the countries of Korea, Japan, Viet Nam and Mongolia, which combine to form the East Asian architecture centered on China. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, China's architecture, particularly its horticulture differed completely from the Western one.

It began to become known to Europe and exercised some influence. As far back as the Han and Jin dynasties, Chinese architecture had accepted influences from South and Central Asia, which had been merged into an organic part of Chinese architecture through the long process of history.

Today, based on its traditional soil, Chinese architecture has absorbed foreign architectural Culture and continued to forge ahead by complying with the requirements of our time and using new architectural techniques. Over the past 1O-2O years, in particular, Chinese architecture, with the new period of reform and opening up as the turning-point, has stridden forward at a rapid pace and gained initial, gratifying achievements.