Beijing Architecture

Beijing has a wide variety of architectural styles. It has both ancient royal palaces and classical gardens, as well as modern landmark buildings and contemporary structures full of design. Ancient Chinese Architecture Ancient Chinese architecture is a miniature of the long-standing history and culture of China. It is characterized by the region, nationality, and time. Ancient Chinese architecture, which has distinctive features in single buildings, building complexes, and architectural art , is an outstanding example of ancient oriental architecture. Modern Chinese Architecture Modern Chinese architecture generally refers to the architecture built since the middle period of the 19th century. Bird NestDuring the period from the broke out of the Opium War in 1840 to the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Chinese architecture witnessed a blend of Chinese style and Western style. Although the traditional Chinese architectural system still took the dominant role, buildings serving for entertainment industry, such as theaters, restaurants, and hotels, as well as the business buildings , such as department stores, food market and so on, all made breakthrough in the traditional architecture style and succeeded in building up business sites in a combination of Chinese and Western elements. Western architecture also appeared in China then. In some cities with leased territory, for example, Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao, and Harbin, some foreign buildings were erected, including consulates, foreign firms, banks, restaurants, and clubs. Some national architecture in modern times also appeared in this period, which is a combination of new functions, new technology, and Chinese style. After the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, Chinese architecture entered a new era. The planned economic system helped to accelerate the development of architecture. The new Chinese style has experience the Returning to the Ancients' Period, characterized by the partial application of big roofs , the New Communist Buildings Period represented by the Big Ten Buildings for National Celebration, and the Cantonese Style Period integrated by the modern design and national spirit. Since the 1980s, Chinese architecture has gradually become open, compatible, and multiple. Zoomorphic Ornaments Chinese palaces, temples, and mansions have on their roofs a special kind of ornaments called wenshou or zoomorphic ornaments, some on the main ridges and some on the sloping and branch ridges. The monstrous thing at either end of the main