Palace Buildings
We can say palace buildings are the most important type of ancient Chinese architecture. In the long period of Chinese feudal society, centralism with imperial power as the core underwent full development. Palaces epitomized feudal thoughts and represented the highest level of traditional architectural art in many aspects. The earliest known palace in China is the site of a place of the early Shang Dynasty (c.1600BC-1046BC) at Erlitou, Yanshi, Henan Province: The yard was surrounded by corridors on the rammed earth foundation, the front door was in the middle on the south side, the palace hall consisting of the open front hall and the closed back hall was at the end of the axis, and it is inferred that the roof was a hip roof (i.e. a double-eave hip roof).
Later, the yard complex and the "hall in front and bedroom behind" pattern (or the "imperial court in front and imperial sleeping palace behind" pattern for palaces) became long-lasting palace layouts. The double-eave hip roof even became the highest roof form in ancient Chinese architecture. The base of the Daming Palace of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) still exists today. It was built in 634 on the Dragon Head Elevation northeast of Chang'an City, overlooking the whole city at a commanding position.
The grandest palaces were the Hanyuan Palace, the Xuanzheng Palace and the Zichen Palace. The Hanyuan Palace was the main palace divided into 11 bays. The Flying Phoenix Side Tower (east) and the Resting Phoenix Side Tower (west) were built symmetrically about 150 meters in front of the palace on both sides and were linked with the palace by corridors in the air. There was even a slope more than 70 meters long for ascension called "Dragon Tail Way." The whole architectural complex had an imposing air.
About the book
Chinese Architecture Written by Cai Yanxin Published by China Intercontinental Press
We can say palace buildings are the most important type of ancient Chinese architecture. In the long period of Chinese feudal society, centralism with imperial power as the core underwent full development. Palaces epitomized feudal thoughts and represented the highest level of traditional architectural art in many aspects. The earliest known palace in China is the site of a place of the early Shang Dynasty (c.1600BC-1046BC) at Erlitou, Yanshi, Henan Province: The yard was surrounded by corridors on the rammed earth foundation, the front door was in the middle on the south side, the palace hall consisting of the open front hall and the closed back hall was at the end of the axis, and it is inferred that the roof was a hip roof (i.e. a double-eave hip roof).
Later, the yard complex and the "hall in front and bedroom behind" pattern (or the "imperial court in front and imperial sleeping palace behind" pattern for palaces) became long-lasting palace layouts. The double-eave hip roof even became the highest roof form in ancient Chinese architecture. The base of the Daming Palace of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) still exists today. It was built in 634 on the Dragon Head Elevation northeast of Chang'an City, overlooking the whole city at a commanding position.
The grandest palaces were the Hanyuan Palace, the Xuanzheng Palace and the Zichen Palace. The Hanyuan Palace was the main palace divided into 11 bays. The Flying Phoenix Side Tower (east) and the Resting Phoenix Side Tower (west) were built symmetrically about 150 meters in front of the palace on both sides and were linked with the palace by corridors in the air. There was even a slope more than 70 meters long for ascension called "Dragon Tail Way." The whole architectural complex had an imposing air.
About the book
Chinese Architecture Written by Cai Yanxin Published by China Intercontinental Press
RELATED ARTICLES
