What are the main differences between north and south of ancient buildings in China?

Although the ancient buildings in China generally have many basic features, such as the wooden structure as the main body and the courtyard as the unit, due to the wide geographical distribution, they also present various and complex architectural features with regional characteristics. The main influencing factors are:

1. North-South differences: mainly refers to cultural style differences. The Central Plains has always been the political center, and the architectural style in the north emphasizes correctness and solemnity. After the Song Dynasty moved south, it attached importance to the development of commercial culture and formed a gorgeous and exquisite southern architectural style.

2. Geography: differences in architectural features due to different landforms such as mountains, plains and hills. For example, the collapse pit yard in northern Shaanxi is different from the diaojiao building in Chongqing.

3. Climate: differences in architectural characteristics due to different seasons and different degrees of dampness and heat. For example, the high cornice in wet and rainy areas is different from the flat-topped earth wall in dry and rainy areas. The north is dry and cold, so the building is thick and warm, and the south is hot and humid, so the building pays attention to the geography of drainage and ventilation: the land in the north is flat and thick, so it is mostly earth buildings, while the land in the south is mostly low-lying basins and hills, and it is mostly wooden buildings affected by the weather.