Why are the houses in Chengde so short and the windows so big?

The architectural style of Chengde's traditional houses is influenced by Manchu and Han cultures, with strong northern characteristics. There are the following reasons:

1, geography: Chengde is located in the mountainous areas of the city, the climate is cold and windy, the buildings have to withstand the harsh climatic conditions, so in order to heat preservation and wind insulation, in the construction of the house will be selected short and wide form of the building, and the windows are large enough to increase the light and ventilation.

2, cultural traditions: Chengde's architectural style by the influence of Manchu culture and Han culture, the traditional Manchu buildings are mostly flat or slanting roof, while the Han buildings are mostly heshan roof. As a result, Chengde's traditional buildings also adopt flat or pitched roofs, which are relatively low in height, while large windows allow residents to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

3. Historical reasons: Chengde used to be the royal garden and hunting resort of the Qing Dynasty, so the construction of houses needed to follow the architectural standards stipulated by the Qing Dynasty, which is also a reason for the short houses and large windows in Chengde.