A Journey Through the Culture of Ancient Chinese Architecture: Hunan and Hubei

Author: Gao Jiehua, Li Dexi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-09-01
Features: Throughout its long history, ancient Chinese architecture has consistently been a continuation of tradition, maintaining a unified architectural system with a unique style and distinctive characteristics. It stands out in the global architectural system, directly rooted in traditional Chinese culture, its values, and aesthetic tastes. The "Journey Through Chinese Architectural Culture" series comprises 18 volumes, with each volume authored by experts, scholars, and professors in the field of ancient Chinese architecture research and education. With vivid and concise writing, they present the profound and extensive knowledge of ancient architecture and its culture, enabling readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the geographical locations, natural environments, construction dates, building materials, structural methods, architectural styles, artistic features, and related historical stories of ancient architectural landmarks when visiting them.
Ancient Chinese architecture is the most enchanting part of the splendid ancient Chinese cultural arts, serving as a symbol and representation of China's ancient culture and civilization. It embodies the wisdom and talent of the renowned scholars and people of ancient China. Whether individual buildings or architectural complexes, they are comprehensive products of the political, economic, cultural, and technological conditions of different historical periods in a nation. They represent a perfect integration of natural and humanities sciences. Therefore, the existence of ancient architecture far exceeds its value and significance as a building itself. It embodies the values of various disciplines such as history, cultural studies, theology, philosophy, aesthetics, archaeology, ethnology, and even tourism, making it a comprehensive representation of national culture.
This book primarily introduces the architectural features, historical evolution, and related folk legends of ancient architectural landmarks in Hunan and Hubei provinces. Each site is accompanied by numerous photographs and brief descriptions.