Cultural Kaleidoscope
Ancient Chinese Architecture
In the long history of China for five thousand years，Chinese nation has created magnificent architectural culture．Characterized by its unique style and special functions，ancient Chinese architecture is one of the three major architectural systems in the world，the other two being European and Islamic architecture．Huabiao，Si He Yuan and Chinese gardens are three typical representatives of ancient Chinese architecture．
Huabiao
Huabiao is a type of ceremonial columns used in traditional Chinese architecture．Huabiaos are traditionally erected in front of palaces and tombs．The prominence of their placement have made them one of the emblems of traditional Chinese culture．When placed outside palaces，they can also be called bangmu．When placed outside a tomb，they can also be called shendaozhu．In the Han dynasty，the bangmu became merely a symbol of the government’s responsibility to the people．These were erected near bridges，palaces，city gates and tombs；the name huabiao arose during this time．
Four of the most well-known Huabiaos in China are located at Tian’anmen Square．They were constructed during the Qing Dynasty．Each has a stone Hou（犼）sitting regally on top of the column．Like the dragon，the Hou is also a mystical animal that represents power and good fortune．The positioning of the Hou’s head symbolized the hopes of the people．With the animals’heads turning inward，emperors were expected not to allow in sensual pleasures in the palace，but to leave the palace and get a better understanding of the common people and their needs．The Hou looking away from the palace shows people’s longing for the emperor’s return．This reminded rulers not to become infatuated with the beautiful landscapes of their domain but to return in good time to run state affairs．
Si He Yuan
Si He Yuan（Quadrangle Courtyard）is an indigenous architectural form in China．It has a big quadrangle courtyard in the center，buildings on all sides，verandas connecting all rooms，and a big screen in the front of the gate．In a typical Si He Yuan，the courtyard is often decorated with all kinds of flowers，plants，ponds，and artificial hills．However，before we could actually feel the beauty of such a building，Si He Yuan is gradually fading into history and replaced by the skyscraper．
The quadrangle courtyard in north China is big，and the primary room must face the south．It has big doors and windows to allow sufficient sunlight to get in．The northern Chinese quadrangle courtyard is more about the magnificent wooden buildings and often has a overhanging gabled roof．The quadrangle courtyard in south China is comparably small and shaped like a“井．”It often has the second floor．The first floor is for entertaining and the second floor is for living．Unlike northern Si He Yuan，the southern Si He Yuan can be a bamboo house，stone house，or wooden house．
Chinese Gardens
The Chinese garden is a landscape garden style which has evolved over three thousand years．It includes both the vast gardens of the Chinese emperors and members of the imperial family，built for pleasure and to impress，and the more intimate gardens created by scholars，poets，former government officials，soldiers and merchants，made for reflection and escape from the outside world．They create an idealized miniature landscape，which is meant to express the harmony that should exist between man and nature．
Traditional Chinese gardens falls into three categories：imperial，private and landscape gardens．Most imperial gardens are situated in north China．The Summer Palace，for instance，has an area of 290 hectares while the Imperial Summer Resort in Chengde，which covers more than 560 hectares，is the largest imperial garden in China．Most private gardens are found in the south，especially in cities south of the Yangtze River．They were mostly built at one side or at the back of the residential houses．Buildings in the garden were used for receiving guests，holding banquets，reading，or writing poetry．Landscape gardens are places for public recreation．The ancient Chinese used to call garden landscape jing which means“scene”in English．Good examples are the ten West Lake scenes in Hangzhou，the twentyfour Slim West Lake scenes in Yangzhou and the eight Daming Lake scenes in Jinan．Each scene is endowed with a beautiful name，which can convey the essence or soul of the scenery．(https://www.daowen.com)
中国古代建筑
在中国五千年的悠久历史中，中华民族创造了辉煌的建筑文化。中国古代建筑以其独特的风格和特殊的功能，与欧洲和伊斯兰建筑并称世界三大建筑体系。华表、四合院及中式园林是中国古代建筑中的三类典型代表。
华表
华表是中国传统建筑中使用的一种礼仪柱。按照传统，华表竖立在宫殿和陵墓前。它们的突出地位使它们成为中国传统文化的标志之一。当放置在宫殿外时，它们也可以称为谤木。当放置在坟墓外时，它们也可以称为神道柱。在汉代，谤木仅仅是政府对人民负责的象征。它们是在桥梁、宫殿、城门和陵墓附近竖立的。在此期间，出现了“华表”这个名字。
中国最著名的四座华表位于北京的天安门，这是在清朝时建造的。每座华表的顶端都蹲着一只庄严气派的石犼。犼，像龙一样也是一种传说中的动物，它代表了权力和好运。犼头的位置象征着人民的希望。犼的头转向里面表明了人们不希望皇帝在宫中享乐，而是吁请皇帝出宫更好地了解百姓的生活和需求。犼的头转向宫殿外则表明人们希望皇帝回朝理事。这是在提醒皇帝不要迷恋外面的水光山色，而应早日回京处理朝政。
四合院
四合院是中国本土的建筑形式。它的中心有一个四边形的大庭院，四面都是建筑物，走廊连接所有房间，大门前有一块大屏风。在典型的四合院里，院子常有各种花卉、绿植、池塘和人造山丘作为点缀。然而，在我们真正感受到这种建筑的美感之前，四合院正逐渐淡出历史，并被摩天大楼所取代。
中国北方的四边形庭院很大，而主要房间必须朝南。门窗宽大，以便让充足的阳光进入。中国北方的四合院更多地是宏伟的木制建筑，通常建有具有悬空感的人字屋檐。中国南方的四合院相对较小，形状像个“井”，通常有二楼，一楼是娱乐区，二楼是生活区。与北方的四合院不同，南方的四合院可以是竹屋，石屋或木屋。
中式园林
中式园林是一种风景式园林，已经发展了三千多年。它既包括为娱乐和留下深刻印象而建造的中国皇帝和皇室成员的广阔花园，也包括由学者、诗人、前政府官员、士兵和商人创建的更为私密的花园，这些花园是为了反思和逃避现实而建造的。他们创造了理想的微型景观，旨在表达人与自然之间应该存在的和谐。
传统中式园林分为三类：皇家园林，私家园林和风景园林。大多数皇家园林位于中国北方。例如，颐和园占地290公顷，承德避暑山庄占地560多公顷，是中国最大的皇家园林。大多数私人园林都在南方，尤其是长江以南的城市。它们大多建在住宅的一侧或后面。花园里的建筑是用来接待客人、举行宴会、阅读或作诗。景观类园林是公共娱乐的场所。中国古代把景观类园林称为“景”，在英语中是scene（景色）的意思。杭州的西湖十景、扬州的瘦西湖二十四景、济南的大明湖八景就是很好的例子。每一处景点都被赋予了一个美丽的名字，可以传达风景的本质或精华。