Read hierarchy, ritual, climate and daily life in roof forms, courtyards, gates, brackets and carefully framed garden views.
13 guides
Orientation and planning
Why Do Chinese Buildings Often Face South?
Winter sun · ritual order · real-site exceptions
Materials and structure
Why Did Chinese Buildings Use Timber Frames?
Load-bearing frame · mixed materials · selective survival
Reading historic houses
How Did Feng Shui Affect House Design?
Recorded choice · physical effects · other constraints
Palace doors
What Are the Gold Studs on Forbidden City Doors For?
Plank fasteners · gilding · ranked grids
Pagoda structure
Why Do Chinese Pagodas Have So Many Tiers?
Pavilion floors · compressed eaves · hidden levels
Entrances and markers
What Is a Chinese Paifang, and Is It Really a Gate?
Open marker · inscription · closing leaves
Neighbourhood form
What Is the Difference Between a Hutong and a Siheyuan?
Lane · gate · courtyard compound
Wall finishes
Why Are the Forbidden City Walls Red?
Red earth · protective plaster · maintenance
Roof colours
Why Are the Forbidden City Roofs Yellow?
Glaze · imperial rank · special functions
Roof curves
Why Do Traditional Chinese Roofs Curve Upward?
Main slope · flying rafters · corner rise
Garden view
How Borrowed Scenery Works in a Chinese Garden
Viewing point · boundary · distant landmark
Entrance
What a Chinese Screen Wall Does at an Entrance
Privacy · turning path · feng shui