Chinese Architecture

As one of four ancient civilized countries in the world, China, possessing a vast territory covering 9.6 million square kilometres and having a population accounting for over one-fifth of the world's total, including 56 nationalities and with a recorded history of 3,000 years, has created a unique and outstanding traditional culture. China's architectural art is a particularly beautiful branch in the tree of Chinese civilization.

Generally speaking, there were about seven major independent architectural systems in the ancient world. Some of them have long ceased to exist, or have not been widely circulated, such as ancient Egyptian, West Asian, Indian and American structures. Only Chinese, European and Islamic structures are considered to be the world's three major architectural systems. The Chinese and European structures continued over the longest period of time and spread over the widest area and consequently, produced more brilliant achievements.