Where does the scale of ancient buildings in China begin?

Judging from the height of the building.

Building height: Chinese ancient buildings are generally sloping roofs, and the building height should be calculated according to the structural skin of the highest roof. When measuring complex roofs, it is necessary to determine the most convenient roof ridge, and then use this standard to measure the bucket mouth compared with other roofs, which was called bucket mouth in Qing Dynasty.

The ancient buildings in China are mainly wood structures, that is, wooden columns and beams form the framework of houses. The weight of the roof and eaves is transferred to the column through the beam frame, and the wall only plays the role of partition, not the structural part that bears the weight of the house. The old proverb "The wall falls down but the house doesn't fall down" generally points out the most important feature of China architecture as a frame structure.

Ancient craftsmen in China were the boldest and the best at using colors in architectural decoration. This feature is closely related to the wood structure system of buildings in China. Because wood can't be used for a long time, China architecture has long adopted the method of painting and tung oil on wood, protecting wood and strengthening wood components through tenon-mortise combination, and at the same time increasing aesthetics, so as to achieve a combination of practicality, firmness and aesthetics.

Later, the columns and beams were decorated in red, or colored paintings were painted on the beams and squares of the bucket arch. After long-term practice, China architecture has accumulated rich experience in color application. For example, in palaces and official buildings in the north, they are very good at using the contrast and harmony of bright colors.

Extended data

Sino-foreign exchange of ancient architecture in China

In ancient China, especially since the Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, architectural technology and art have been widely exchanged with neighboring countries in the east and west, which has injected new blood into ancient architecture in China, and many new architectural types have emerged, such as cave temples and stupas.

At the same time, the architecture of China has also had a far-reaching impact on the architecture of neighboring countries.

As early as the 3rd century BC, the grotto statues originated in India were introduced into Kuqa and Baicheng at the southern foot of Tianshan Mountain in western China from Kashmir and Dayue country, and then spread eastward.

During the Sixteen Kingdoms period, the Mogao Grottoes were dug in Dunhuang, Gansu. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, it was introduced eastward into the Yellow River Basin, and successively excavated Yungang Grottoes in Datong, Shanxi, Bingling Temple Grottoes in Yongjing, Gansu, Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui and Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan.

Baidu Encyclopedia-China Ancient Buildings