http://photoimg1.qq.com/cgi-bin/load_pic?verify=GwPgQcYvOJp1%2BWNBBWAsAQ%3D%3D
http://photoimg1.qq.com/cgi-bin/load_pic?verify=7kO%2F4cq%2Bek3DJA5XhGoyYg%3D%3D


http://photoimg6.qq.com/cgi-bin/load_pic?verify=5oOdzGHiDDqr0qfLlVCP2g%3D%3D
http://photoimg5.qq.com/cgi-bin/load_pic?verify=y49S30IV%2BpwAja4U3mxHxw%3D%3D

http://photoimg5.qq.com/cgi-bin/load_pic?verify=yWvJklsr0c9hgPY3%2FytYfA%3D%3D
http://www.worldfromtheweb.com/Parks/China/24554_31.jpg
http://www.buddhanet.net/images/pks_hall.jpg
http://www.buddhanet.net/images/templeart.jpg
http://photos.dosooye.com/pictures/Malaysia2001/aal.jpg
http://ati.iblp.org/ati/students/opportunities/taiwan/images/building.jpg
http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin/images/chine/pavillong.jpg
http://www.comp.dit.ie/dgordon/Lectures/Hum1/031107/031107horyuji.jpg
http://www.worldfromtheweb.com/Parks/China/24554_31.jpg
http://www.chinapictures.org/images/temple-of-heaven/1/temple-of-heaven-31216144032033.jpg
http://www.qasia.com/Beijing/TempleLion2.jpg
http://www3.worldisround.com/photos/7/42/341.jpg
http://www.qasia.com/Beijing/ForbiddenCity3.jpg
http://www.qasia.com/Beijing/ForbiddenCity1.jpg
http://www.web.virginia.edu/asianarc/public/taipei/grand01.jpg
http://www.web.virginia.edu/asianarc/public/taipei/grand04.jpg
http://www.web.virginia.edu/asianarc/public/taipei/grand05.jpg
http://www.sh88.com/ancient/pic2/em2.jpg
http://www.sh88.com/ancient/pic2/ar3.jpg
http://www.sh88.com/ancient/pic2/en4.jpg

One of those pics is of Japan, not China.

Does anyone know where the first two pics are?

I'm thinking a temple on Taishan maybe. It could even be in Taiwan.

One of those pics is of Japan, not China.
which one?
did u mean this one? http://www.comp.dit.ie/dgordon/Lectures/Hum1/031107/031107horyuji.jpg


Does anyone know where the first two pics are?

I'm thinking a temple on Taishan maybe. It could even be in Taiwan.

Nanjing

yes, horyuji temple is in Japan.

Most of them are reconstructed aren't they?

Anyway I find Japanese architecture to be more serene, tranquil, majestic and gives you a sense of calm and inner peace.

Most of them are reconstructed aren't they?

this one is not "ancient"...

http://www.web.virginia.edu/asianarc/public/taipei/grand04.jpg

Anyway I find Japanese architecture to be more serene, tranquil, majestic and gives you a sense of calm and inner peace.

it depends, chinese architecture varies from place to place. the buildings in northern china (ie bj and xi'an) look more majestic and superficial, while building in southern china can give you a sense of serenity and inner peace.

in northern china the colours are red and gold (imperial colours)..in southtern china you see a lot of black and white.

http://files.photojerk.com/sen/sz_5b.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/sen/whyc017.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/sen/200403040466_589462.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/sen/039.jpg

well, the Grand Hotel is not ancient but its based on ancient style

Anyway I find Japanese architecture to be more serene, tranquil, majestic and gives you a sense of calm and inner peace.

What does Japan have to do with this?


Vietnam does quite poorly in the historical architecture department. If only the US didn't bomb Hue and the other cities like crazy.

What does Japan have to do with this?


Vietnam does quite poorly in the historical architecture department. If only the US didn't bomb Hue and the other cities like crazy.

Do you have a problem with my opinion? Can't stand people giving honest thoughts and comparisons. Geez typical Chinese arrogance.

Why did you get offended too?


because I mentioned Vietnam which has little to do with this thread, just like how you mentioned Japan.

Do you have a problem with my opinion? Can't stand people giving honest thoughts and comparisons. Geez typical Chinese arrogance.
Your manner is okay but I suppose you're in some ways anti-China...I saw a thread you posted previously bashing the Chinese for the anti-Japan thing...
I don't mean you are wrong, but it really seems to me that you're kind of anti- China and kind of "pro-Japan"(I can't think of a proper word due to my poor English...)
And...please don't stereotype the Chinese as "typical arrogance". There are some arrogant Chinese in SSC, but please be fair to other Chinese forumers.

Most of the pictures don't look Chinese.....some even look pretty funky I think=.=

in my eyes all the buildings in pics are "new", because i am in Xi'an now. some great buildings here even over 1000 years. building on my icon called bell tower over 600 years old located at the center of Xi'an city and this on Dayan tower in Xi'an city over 1000 years.
http://files.photojerk.com/metallinestorm/dayan.jpg

One of those pics is of Japan, not China.
I'm thinking a temple on Taishan maybe. It could even be in Taiwan.

i can't sure about this. people in other countries say Chinese style architecture just means Ming or Qing dynasty(about last 600 years) but China also have Tang style abot 1000 year ago and Han style about 2000 years ago and so on. Japan or Corea also have many Chinese style buildings. In Tang dynasty Japanese came to China to learn something. Buddhism came into Japan from a Chinese temple called Qingliang in Tang dynasty, so Japanese temples usually are Tang style buidlings.

... Japan or Corea also have many Chinese style buildings. In Tang dynasty Japanese came to China to learn something. Buddhism came into Japan from a Chinese temple called Qingliang in Tang dynasty, so Japanese temples usually are Tang style buidlings...
I guess some Japanese formers would get upset about how you define their traditional architecture style...
I agree that most J/K traditional buildings are similar to the Tang style, but they are different. The Japanese and Koreans did absorb lots of Tang elements into their own architecture styles, but that doesn't mean they are the same. Basically they just look similar and can be grouped as the "East Asian Style", trust me.
I'm sure one of the pictures is Japanese(I can't think of the building's name...).

I guess some Japanese formers would get upset about how you define their traditional architecture style...
I agree that most J/K traditional buildings are similar to the Tang style, but they are different. The Japanese and Koreans did absorb lots of Tang elements into their own architecture styles, but that doesn't mean they are the same. Basically they just look similar and can be grouped as the "East Asian Style", trust me.
I'm sure one of the pictures is Japanese(I can't think of the building's name...).
i also think your words are right.
i just remind people in Europe, American or African know Chinese style buiding not just appear in China or just Ming or Qing style old buidings. it isn't a easy thing to distinguish which building in China or Japan or korea even in US China town according to a pic which just show part of them. and i think that is unnecessary. Great building must be as people's fortune first then as one national pride.

i can't sure about this. people in other countries say Chinese style architecture just means Ming or Qing dynasty(about last 600 years) but China also have Tang style abot 1000 year ago and Han style about 2000 years ago and so on. Japan or Corea also have many Chinese style buildings. In Tang dynasty Japanese came to China to learn something. Buddhism came into Japan from a Chinese temple called Qingliang in Tang dynasty, so Japanese temples usually are Tang style buidlings.

It is.

You know how I know?

because it says horyuji temple in the picture's address. :)

I took a course last year on Japanese architecture and I've been to China. There are many different architectural styles in both countries, so it's hard to generalize. Japan does have a "native" style that can be seen in the oldest Shinto shrines. Buddhist temples generally show the strong Buddhist influence, but this influence comes from Korea, and not directly from China. It wasn't until much later that Japan became familar with China, and essentially looked up to China as it's cultural ancestor.

The oldest Buddhist temples in Japan show a strong Tang influence by way of Korea. An example of this is Todaiji in Nara.

http://www.kiku.com/electric_samurai/cobweb_castle/image/todaiji_temple.jpg .

Notice the huge brackets, which are relatively simple compared to the ones in later Chinese and Japanese architecture. There aren't any Tang wooden structures remaining in China, but there are reconstructions outside of Xian that are believed to be accurate, and they are relatively simple compared to the Forbidden City or later temples. During the Tang, the pagoda was a stone structure, such as the Dayan Ta in Xian posted above, and was heavily influenced by Indian architecture. Later advances in carpentry made the famous wood pagodas possible.

The Japanese came up with more complex styles from there, such as the Zen style which actually had some Indian influences in addition to up-to-date Chinese advances. The Chinese and Japanese continued to work within the Chinese tradition of wooden buildings with complex bracketing, curved roofs, multi-story pagodas, etc... but they each developed the style in their own ways, and thus the style can be compared to pan-European styles such as Gothic, which had a definite origin in France, but was expanded and innovated in other countries such as England, where perpendicular Gothic and the fan-vault were invented.

To be more specific, the height of Chinese architecture is most certainly the Forbidden City, which has a complex bracketing system, not to mention a complex layout. The Temple of Heaven is also an advanced piece of Chinese architecture, as the interior shows. This is where the Chinese took their architecture. I recommend this picture to show how advanced Chinese architecture had become (it takes a long time to load it seems) : http://photoimg5.qq.com/cgi-bin/load_pic?verify=y49S30IV%2BpwAja4U3mxHxw%3D%3D

The Japanese advanced early with pagoda architecture and new styles:

http://www.solarius.com/assets/gallery/wdw/epcot/wdw_japan_pagoda.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/94/YakushijiPagoda.jpg


The Japanese also later invented the Shoin style of domestic architecture (what we think of as a Japanese house, with tatami, sliding doors, etc...), which is best exemplified by Katsura. Also the Japanese castle is of course native to Japan, but has influences from Chinese tradition. They also developed a "Japanese Baroque" which is highly ornate, guilded, and arguably a a step-backwards from the simple purity of earlier forms. Toshogu:

http://www.sec.or.jp/jica/9th/Ramon/Toshogu.jpg

In conclusion, Japanese architecture is heavily influenced by Chinese architecture, but is not simply a copy of Chinese forms. And although famous architectural critics such as Pepsicola/Gunei have stated that "China is sucks" and "Japan number one," Chinese architecture is different, but not inferior to Japanese architecture. As far as Korea architecture goes, I think it's probably a similar story to Japan, although the links between Korea and China were always stronger than Japan to China. If anyone knows more about traditional Korean architecture, please post some info!

Personally I prefer the Japanese style, which gives a feeling of purity and peace.(I'm Chinese)
I would also prefer the Tang style architecture to those built only hundreds of years ago(including the forbidden city), same reason as above.

http://www.china-tour.net/images/Santa.jpg

http://www.sh88.com/ancient/pic2/em2.jpg


amazing,when was this picture taken ? where was Chairman Mao's portrait on the Tiananmen? :eek2:

Anyway I find Japanese architecture to be more serene, tranquil, majestic and gives you a sense of calm and inner peace.

I find both Chinese and Japanese architecture to be very elegant,Unlike Vietnamese ancient architecture was just a duplicated of Chinese ancient architecture.

What is real vietnamese architectures? when traveling to central Vietnam was just a bunch of Cham architectures. Then traveling to the South was just a bunch of Cambodian architectures. Like traveling into Thailand and laos you will find everywhere is just an images of Cambodian cultures.

http://www.china-tour.net/images/Santa.jpg

Very nice architecture to go along with the soft nature on the background.

I find both Chinese and Japanese architecture to be very elegant,Unlike Vietnamese ancient architecture was just a duplicated of Chinese ancient architecture.

What is real vietnamese architectures? when traveling to central Vietnam was just a bunch of Cham architectures. Then traveling to the South was just a bunch of Cambodian architectures. Like traveling into Thailand and laos you will find everywhere is just an images of Cambodian cultures.
Actually I found Viet architectures very similar to those Southern Chinese temples in Guangdong/Canton and Fujian/Hokkien or even Taiwan. Especially the roof decorations....

I find both Chinese and Japanese architecture to be very elegant,Unlike Vietnamese ancient architecture was just a duplicated of Chinese ancient architecture.

What is real vietnamese architectures? when traveling to central Vietnam was just a bunch of Cham architectures. Then traveling to the South was just a bunch of Cambodian architectures. Like traveling into Thailand and laos you will find everywhere is just an images of Cambodian cultures.

Vietnamese architectures are similar to Southern Chinese architecture which is usually the Chu style. It's definitely not "duplicated" because there are handful of difference, just as there are differences between Korean architecture and Northern Chinese architecture. Travelling to the Central you'll see cham and to the South there are some Cambodian architectures because it was in different nations before Vietnamese people conquered it.

Personally I prefer the Japanese style, which gives a feeling of purity and peace.(I'm Chinese)
I would also prefer the Tang style architecture to those built only hundreds of years ago(including the forbidden city), same reason as above.

Japanese stlye does strongly contain the purity and peace qualities you mention. In fact I find that these qualities prevail in traditional Japanese architecture.

Although a part of traditional Chinese architecture does emphasize the purity and peace quality as well, many more traditional Chinese archietures have a more outgoing, grandier qualities in them, especially those in northern China. So you might often find that even a relatively small peice of Chinese building can in fact look very grand when viewed with the right background, usually with the sky and mountain. This perhaps is related to the Chinese belief that human and nature are essentially just different pieces of the same puzzle, and the Chinese view that the whole world under the sky is ruled by their emperor. Therefore, you will not find any inner peace or something like that in architectures like the forbidden city. Instead, you will often find the style splendid and imposing.

Personally I like imposing style better. Traditional Japanese architectures are beautifuly no doubt, but seem to me lacking that kind of majesticness I like.

Therefore, you will not find any inner peace or something like that in architectures like the forbidden city. Instead, you will often find the style splendid and imposing.

I agree, but I think you could definitely "inner peace" in many Chinese temples. Japanese domestic architecture may be more peaceful, but Chinese temples were the prototype for the peaceful, natural Buddhist temple.

The best I've been to is Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, although its mostly reconstructed. It's a Chan Temple, so it's something like an ancestor to the Japanese Zen temples.

MoreorLess, the pagodas you posted are in Yunnan Province, right?

MoreorLess, the pagodas you posted are in Yunnan Province, right?

Yeah in Dali, built in the 9th century although that area of China was a separate kingdom at the time if I remember my lonely planet correctly. ;)

Yeah, that's what I thought. Dali was part of a Bai-speaking kingdom (also called Dali).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d5/China_11b.jpg

I find both Chinese and Japanese architecture to be very elegant,Unlike Vietnamese ancient architecture was just a duplicated of Chinese ancient architecture.

What is real vietnamese architectures? when traveling to central Vietnam was just a bunch of Cham architectures. Then traveling to the South was just a bunch of Cambodian architectures. Like traveling into Thailand and laos you will find everywhere is just an images of Cambodian cultures.
Perhaps you haven't been to Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and various other central-northern places to see real architecture?

Don't make a fool out of yourself by saying things that you have got no clue about.

In China, different dynasties, different dialect groups, different geological regions have their own style. :cool:

Do you have a problem with my opinion? Can't stand people giving honest thoughts and comparisons. Geez typical Chinese arrogance.

You should quit the stereotypes. Everyone I know in the US see Vietnamese in America as superficial and fake.

http://www.china-tour.net/images/Santa.jpg
a lot of things in china go in pairs. a set of 3 pagodas is unique but great.

http://www.sh88.com/ancient/pic2/em2.jpg

Where did you find this picture of Tian'anmen without that portrait of Mao Zedong? I want to see more pictures (even b&w ones) that show the forbidden city complex complete with the front gate, the Tian'anmen, but without that portrait of China's first communist ruler.

a lot of things in china go in pairs. a set of 3 pagodas is unique but great.
come to think about it- could it be that the set of 3 pagodas is symbolic of the 3 buddha figures ususally enshrined in chinese buddhist temples with the center one representing shakyamuni?

Unlikely, frankful. Pagodas do not represent specific Buddhist figures, but rather enshrine relics, which almost always are associated with Sakyamuni. At first there was always one pagoda on a central axis, then a plan with two pagodas (but off the central axis) developed. This plan is simply a development of that. You would have to do some more research to find out what relic or possibly scripture each pagoda contains here.

Unfortunately, we don't see too many pagodas being built today, and usually there is only one per temple, due to China's oppressive "One Pagoda" policy :) .

As for the Forbidden City pic, it's definitely a PRC-era picture. Note the modern buildings just inside the gates to either side, as well as the slogons on the gate. The picture of Mao is periodically taken down for cleaning or replacement. This photo was probably taken during one of those times.

There're some pictures about Tang Dyansty
http://www.pep.com.cn/images/200301/pic_951.jpg

http://guiyalei.nease.net/dmgc/dmgc_01/1_05.jpg

http://www.dragonsource.com/zhuanti_pic/8-l.jpg

http://teacher.yb2hs.com.cn/bigcow/china_pic/content/b/Photoes/239.jpg

http://teacher.yb2hs.com.cn/bigcow/china_pic/content/b/Photoes/227.jpg

http://teacher.yb2hs.com.cn/bigcow/china_pic/content/b/Photoes/206.jpg

http://teacher.yb2hs.com.cn/bigcow/china_pic/content/b/Photoes/202.jpg

http://teacher.yb2hs.com.cn/bigcow/china_pic/content/b/Photoes/179.jpg