The localities of Chinese architectures
Local cities were various localities' strongholds of the imperial court's political and military rule and were often local economic and cultural centers. Some of them were transportation hubs, some were handicraft centers, some were foreign trade ports, and some were a bit of everything. These cities were very widely distributed, and their planning and construction were carried out according to local conditions such as various localities' climates, geography, transportation, defense and other requirements.
In northern areas of flat land, courtyard-style houses prevailed, so city layouts were regular, mostly square or rectangular; roads were wide and straight, often forming crossroads and T-junctions; there was often a drum tower and bell tower at a city's center, and the government office was to the north or near a drum tower and a bell tower. These characteristics are manifested by Xi'an city and Pingyao Ancient City.
In areas with many rivers and mountains, landforms were complex and varied, so city layouts were more flexible and road systems were often irregular because of adaptation to landforms.
If the city was near a mountain, then main roads extended naturally along contour lines; if a city was near a river, then it was often a belt-shaped city. The famous "mountain city" of Chongqing is such an example.
Water towns south of the Yangtze River mainly relied on water transportation, and streets and houses were arranged along river courses, so small towns often extended into the belt shape along rivers, and large towns formed the block shape with cross and crisscross river courses.
About the book
Chinese Architecture Written by Cai Yanxin Published by China Intercontinental Press, Beijing, 2018
Local cities were various localities' strongholds of the imperial court's political and military rule and were often local economic and cultural centers. Some of them were transportation hubs, some were handicraft centers, some were foreign trade ports, and some were a bit of everything. These cities were very widely distributed, and their planning and construction were carried out according to local conditions such as various localities' climates, geography, transportation, defense and other requirements.
In northern areas of flat land, courtyard-style houses prevailed, so city layouts were regular, mostly square or rectangular; roads were wide and straight, often forming crossroads and T-junctions; there was often a drum tower and bell tower at a city's center, and the government office was to the north or near a drum tower and a bell tower. These characteristics are manifested by Xi'an city and Pingyao Ancient City.
In areas with many rivers and mountains, landforms were complex and varied, so city layouts were more flexible and road systems were often irregular because of adaptation to landforms.
If the city was near a mountain, then main roads extended naturally along contour lines; if a city was near a river, then it was often a belt-shaped city. The famous "mountain city" of Chongqing is such an example.
Water towns south of the Yangtze River mainly relied on water transportation, and streets and houses were arranged along river courses, so small towns often extended into the belt shape along rivers, and large towns formed the block shape with cross and crisscross river courses.
About the book
Chinese Architecture Written by Cai Yanxin Published by China Intercontinental Press, Beijing, 2018
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