Ancient Chinese architecture is a symbolic part of the long-standing history and culture of China. It is characterized by the region, nationality and times. Ancient Chinese architecture, which has distinctive features in single building, building complex and architectural art is an excellent representation of the ancient oriental architectures.

Imperial architecture

There were certain architectural features that were reserved solely for buildings that are built for the Emperor of China. Two of the most obvious examples are the use of yellow roof tiles and dragon. The color yellow has always been the imperial color. Today one can still see yellow roof tiles adorn on most of the imperial buildings. However, there is a exception of one of the imperial building which is the Temple of Heaven. The color on the roof of Temple of Heaven is blue, which is to symbolize the sky.

The roof on Temple of Heaven is always supported by brackets which a structure that is only used the largest of religious buildings. The wooden columns of the buildings and the surface of the walls are mainly painted in red color. The Chinese dragons found on the building symbolize the Chinese nationality, which was only used on imperial architecture.

The homes of commoners, bureaucrates, merchants or farmers tend to follow a set of pattern. The centre of the building would be a shrine for the deities and the ancestors, which would also be used during festivities. On its two sides were bedrooms for the elders. The two wings of the building were for the junior members of the family, as well as the living room, the dining room, and the kitchen, although sometimes the living room could be very close to the center.

The houses were usually built in a U-shaped, with a courtyard suitable for farm work. However, Merchants and bureaucrat prefer to close off the front with an imposing front gate. ?

Religious architecture

Generally speaking, Buddhist architecture follows the imperial style. A large Buddhist monastery normally has a front hall, housing the statue of a Bodhisattva, followed by a great hall, housing the statues of the Buddhas. Accommodations for the monks and the nuns are located at the two sides.

Daoist architecture, on the other hand, usually follows the commoners' style. Due to the superstition about demons entering into the premises, the main entrance is usually at the side building. In contrast to the Buddhists, in the Daoist temple the main deity is located at the main hall at the front and the lesser deities are located at the back hall and at the sides.

What are categories of Chinese ancient architecture?

Chinese classifications for architecture includes:

Gong (Traditionally Palace)

Usually, Chinese word for "palace" is ‘gong’ where imperial family lives. Apart from the palace, other abodes of the emperor are also called gong. Moreover, the name gong is also used for religious buildings of great dimensions.

lou (Multistory buildings)

When the Chinese speak of a lou, they refer to any building of two or more floors with a horizontal main ridge. The erection of such buildings began a long time ago in the Period of the Warring States when chonglou was mentioned in historical records. Yueyang Tower in Hunan and Huanghelou (Tower of the Yellow Crane) in Wuchang are masterpieces among ancient towers.

Tai (teracres)

The tai was an ancient architectural structure, a very much elevated terrace with a flat top. Generally built of cement, stone and surfaced with brick, they are used as a belvedere from which to look to a distance.

Ge (Two-story pavilions)

The Chinese ge is similar to the lou in that both are of two or more storey buildings. The ge has a door and windows only on the front side with the other three sides were solid walls. Ge are usually enclosed by wooden balustrades or decorated with boards all around.

Ta (Chinese pagodas)

The prototype and the religious meaning of the pagoda were introduced into China from India. The meaning of pagoda was expanded after introduction to China. Chinese monasteries, mainly of a tower-type and dense-eave style, are towers emerged in large quantities in China's Han Dynasty.

Xuan (Verandas with windows)
Wei (Pavilions or houses on terraces)
Wu (Rooms along roofed corridors)

What are basic Features of Ancient Architecture?

Even though the Chinese architectural were affected by the western architecture styles, they still keeps most types of architecture in China.
Firstly, Chinese architecture tends to be harmony with nature. Chinese buildings de-emphasize vertical walls. Instead, a heavy platform underlies a large roof, seeking to demonstrate breadth and solidity. For example, The Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City has ceilings much lower than those of equivalent spaces in Versailles or Buckingham Palace.
Secondly, Chinese architecture is also highly symmetrical, which theoretically supports the proper order of things and connotes a sense of stately greatness. Most of the structures follow the strict principle of a center axis surrounded by symmetrical wings, such that the overall appearance of the individual structure is one of perfect symmetry.

What is the relationship between number and Chinese ancient architecture?

Ancient Chinese regarded odd numbers as being masculine. "Nine", which is the largest single number was taken to mean the "ultimate power" and was the symbolic of the supreme power of the emperor. Therefore, the number "nine" (or its multiples) is often employed in palace structures and designs. A noticeable example is the number of studs on palace gates. The studs are usually arranged in nine rows of nine each, totalling eighty-one.

The buildings of the Forbidden City of Beijing are traditionally measured as having a total floor space of 9,900 bays. Some even say 9,999 bays but this may be an exaggeration. The picturesque towers guarding the four corners of the palace compound each have 9 beams and 18 columns, and the three famous screen walls have nine dragons on each.

The number "nine" was sometimes comined with "five" to represent imperial majesty. The great hall on Tiananmen is 9 bays wide by 5 bays deep.

What is the distribution of royal houses?

The Emperor and the Empress lived in palaces on the central axis of the Forbidden City, the Crown Prince at the eastern side, and the concubines at the back, which is usually called "The Back Palace Three Thousand". However, during the mid-Qing Dynasty, the Emperor's residence was moved to the western side of the complex. It is misleading to speak of an axis in the Western sense of a visual perspective ordering facades, rather the Chinese axis is a line of privilege, usually built upon, regulating access - there are no vistas, but a series of gates and pavilions.

What are differences between royal architecture and poor people’s house?

The imperial palace of ancient China is a miracle in world architectural history. Everywhere in palace shows nobility of royal family, especially its colors. Since yellow is the imperial color, the most noticeable are the yellow roof tiles, while the wooden columns of the buildings as well as the surface of the walls are red in color. Moreover, every palace owns high walls, which aims to protect its owners.

Ordinary people could not afford buildings as decent as those of the wealthy or officials. Most of their houses were made up of mud bricks and roots of reeds. Unfortunately, these houses were almost always drafty and did not protect their residence from the harsh elements. Doors and windows were much smaller; humble guava, rather than noble crabapple, could be found in their courtyard; and even goldfish could only enjoy themselves in special bowls rather than spacious ponds.

What is Feng Shui?

The concept of Feng Shui has been a principle guided of Chinese architecture for centuries. The principles of Feng Shui include traditional beliefs that seek to maximize positive energies and minimize negative energies in a given space. For example, homes are best positioned with hills behind them and water in front. Setting in front of hills means a support, while with water in front means living without a hitch. Doorways and windows have proper and improper positions for facilitating the flow of positive energy.

The ancient architecture of China represents the most significant achievements of Chinese continuous civilization. Not only the imperial palace but also comer people’s houses are precious culture properties for both China and the whole world.

How widely distributed were the royal houses?

The Emperor and the Empress lived in palaces in the centre of the Forbidden City, the Crown Prince at the eastern side, and the concubines at the back, which is usually called "The Back Palace Three Thousand". However, during the mid-Qing Dynasty, the Emperor's residence moved to the western side of the complex. It is misleading to speak of an axis in the Western sense of a visual perspective ordering facades, rather the Chinese axis is a line of privilege, usually built upon, regulating access - there are no vistas, but a series of gates and pavilions.