(北京中轴线的历史痕迹) 4 min read   Just inside the north side of Beijing’s former city wall stand the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower (opening image), both built in 1272 during the Yuan dynasty (元朝). Together, the two towers offer panoramic views of central Beijing. Looking directly south from the Drum Tower, the line of sight […]

(清代的御花园) 5 min read   Qing-dynasty (清朝, 1644–1912) imperial gardens—such as the Mountain Resort in Chengde (避暑山庄), Yuanmingyuan (圆明园), and Yiheyuan (颐和园, also known as the Summer Palace)—are culturally significant because they represent microcosms of the Qing Empire. They showcase Chinese aesthetic traditions while embodying the interaction of nature, human design, and geopolitics. Although each

(苏州及岭南林园) 4 min read   Classical Chinese garden design seeks to “recreate natural landscapes in miniature” (咫尺之内再造乾坤) by using four key elements—rocks, water, plants, and architecture—reflecting the profound importance of natural beauty in Chinese culture. Classical gardens are found primarily in southern China, especially in the historically rich regions of the Yangtze River Delta, particularly

(大同的佛教艺术与建筑) 4 min read   Because of its long history, the city of Datong (大同), in Shanxi Province (山西省), is rich in remarkable historical sites. The city was formally established as Pingcheng (平城) during the Han Dynasty (c. 200 BCE) as a frontier outpost to defend against northern nomadic tribes. After the fall of the