Architecture In China

• Names of China:
1. Cin
· first recorded use of the word "China" , dated 1555, derived from a
Persian name for China, popularized in Europe by Marco Polo.
2. C ì n â
· term for porcelain or ceramic ware originally made in China. derived
from the Sanskrit word which refers to "yellow-colored" barbarian tribe
from the north (identified with Qin (778 B.C.-207B.C.), the westernmost
of the Chinese kingdoms, or may refer to an unknown group then
inhabiting Tibet).
Architecture In China
• Names of China:
The official name of China changed with each dynasty.
4. Zhōngguó “Central Nation" or as the “Middle Kingdom".
– used to refer to the late Zhou Dynasty, as they believed that they were
the “Center of Civilization"·
– implied a claim of political legitimacy
– often used by states who saw themselves as the sole legitimate
successor to previous Chinese dynasties
– same to official use as an abbreviation for the Republic of China
(Zhonghua Minguo) after the government's establishment in 1912.
 Architecture In China
• INFLUENCES:
Geographical and Topographical Influences:
– China is the largest country in Asia.
– Bordered by Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan,
– Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, North and South
Korea
– Three great river systems:
1. Yellow River (Huang He) - 2,109 mi (5,464 km) long;
2. Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) - the third-longest river in the world
at 2,432 mi (6,300 km)
3. Pearl River (Zhu Jiang) - 848 mi (2,197 km) long.
Architecture In China
• INFLUENCES:
Geographical and Topographical
Influences:
• North China
- Dominated by the
alluvial plain along
the Yellow River
(shown on the right).
- Mostly flat and the
soil is well-suited to
agriculture.
Architecture In• INFLUENCES:
China
Geographical and Topographical
Influences:
• South China
– Further west - such provinces
as Guangxi are generally more
mountainous, and have
navigable rivers.
– Region drained by the Yangtze
(Yangzi) River hillier than North
China.
Architecture In• INFLUENCES:
China
Geographical and Topographical
Influences:
• Outer China
• - Huge area to the north and west of
China Proper.
• - Ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 meters
above sea level.
• - Zone includes part of Northeast
China (also known as Manchuria),
Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, the
Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, part of the
Loess Plateau, and a stretch of
• mountains.