3 Architectural Styles of Ancient Chinese Architecture

Ancient Chinese architecture includes palaces, city walls, temples, pagodas, and houses. Their architectural styles varied with purpose. The main three types were imperial administration buildings, traditional residences, and religious buildings.

1. Imperial Buildings

Ancient Chinese imperial buildings included palaces, government offices, and military defensive projects. All of them demonstrated the political control of the particular era. Generally, their architectural style was formal and solemn.

2. Traditional Residences

The architectural style of traditional Chinese residences was functional and suited to local conditions.

For example, in Southwest China, bamboo houses suited the muggy environment and local resources well. In the northern part of Shaanxi Province where the weather is cold and dry in winter, the loess-carved dwellings were good at retaining heat and were cheap to construct.

3. Religious Buildings

China has four official religions. Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity have a long history in China. Since the Chinese imperial court contributed to the introduction of Buddhism in China, Buddhist buildings in China normally followed the imperial style of construction, which was glorious and grand. Taoist buildings in China were closer to the style of buildings for commoners compared to the other religious buildings.

Muslim architecture in China was a blend of traditional Chinese and Middle Eastern styles.

As for Christianity, most churches in China follow a Western architectural concept.

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