Most important/beautiful archeticture in China?

Question

Just wondering if anyone can name some important archetictural structures in China. So far I have Great Wall of China, and the Imperial palace and the Ming tombs. Any other suggestions?

Answer 1

You and Tai named some historic sites while I would like to list some modern architectures for your reference.

There are quite a few in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.

The Headquarters of Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation in Hong Kong - by Norman Foster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HSBC_Hong_Kong_headquarters_building
http://cn.rlb.com/.../case_studies/china/case-study_hsbc-headquarters_hk.pdf

The Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok - by Norman Foster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_International_Airport
http://www.majorprojects.org/pubdoc/667.pdf

Two International Finance Centre in Hong Kong - by Cesar Pelli
http://architecture.about.com/od/skyscrapers/ig/World-s-Tallest-Buildings/IFC-Hong-Kong.htm
http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/PrinterFriendlyBuildingDetail.php?BuildingName=Two+ifc&LocationCity=Hong+Kong&LocationState=Hong+Kong+S.A.R.&LocationNation=China

CCTV (China Central Television Headquarters Building & Cultural Centre), Beijing - by Rem Koolhaas, Ole Scheeren
http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/cctv/
http://www.arup.com/eastasia/project.cfm?pageid=1948
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/radioprogrammes/dutchhorizons/070103dh

National Stadium, Beijing (would be opened for 2008 Olympics)

http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/national_stadium/
http://www.arup.com/eastasia/project.cfm?pageid=2184

National Aquatics Centre (Water Cube), Beijing
http://cubeme.com/blog/2007/07/09/national-swimming-centre-beijing-by-ptw-architects/
http://www.arup.com/project.cfm?pageid=1250
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fcViWDXVLDE

National Grand Theater, Beijing - Paul Andreu
http://www.e-architect.co.uk/beijing/national_grand_theatre_beijing.htm
http://enr.construction.com/features/international/archives/041129a-1.asp

I personally like the New Beijing Poly Plaza a lot, they built the 90-meter-tall atrium enclosed by the world's largest cable-net-supported glass wall, it looks so so beautiful in the night!

Poly Plaza, Beijing - The SOM
http://www.som.com/content.cfm/the_new_beijing_poly_plaza

The Bund, Shanghai

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bund
http://web.utk.edu/~plee3/bund.html

There are also many temples, old buildings in other cities I have visited and would like to mention here but the list would be real long.

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P.S. to bkk

Cultural Revolution couldn't ruin all the famous/important architectures of China or the whole Chinese culture, we have 5000 years of history and we didn't try our best to destory our culture - even in that 15 or 20 years of dark age (there were different stages in Cultural Revolution and I bet you may not know when did it actually started? Are you really interested in Cultural Revolution? I'm reading a book about it.), those awful political campiagns couldn't destory the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs, the fact is when we google the websites, people still can see great photos of these architectures/structures online.

In our long history, there were many civil wars and there was nothing worst than the bombing / destructurctions of Sino-Japanese War and the Civil War had made in the last century, so far, if we still managed to keep some of our great structures, then I could assure you here, all our important structures would still be protected till another invader stepped on our land.

Please kindly don't tell us that you lived in China for 2 years and then you think you know a lot about China, I have to tell you, China is too big and you really couldn't see many things within that 2 years even though in those 2 years you didn't sleep at all!

Next time, do some research before you make opinions, I hope you would sound more logical and make sense.

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Here are some other websites about architectures or architects.

http://www.ibiblio.org/chineseculture/contents/arts/p-arts-c03s01.html#Introduction
http://library.thinkquest.org/10098/china1.htm
http://archrecord.construction.com/ar_china/featureZhuChang-1.asp
http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/I._M._Pei.html
http://www.architectureweek.com/2007/0919/design_1-1.html
http://www2.newpaltz.edu/~knappr/

Answer 2

How about Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet? It is the landmark of Tibet, not to mention the religious meaning as well as the unique style of the architecture itself as a master piece! Of course, sitting on top of the altitude of 13,000 feet above sea level makes it absolutely beyond breathtaking!

I just came back from Tibet with my tour group, and everybody said that that was the highlight of their trip!

Answer 3

Shanghai has some of the newest, tallest buildings in Asia, (Jin Mao Tower and Pearl TV). There is also alot of French influence is some of the older buildings. The urban planning museum in Shanghai is fascinating as well. Check it out!

I think Macau has some really pretty buildings as well - new, unique casinos, as well as old Portuguese influenced buildings.

Answer 4

The Chinese destroyed most of their historical architecture during the cultural revolution and are continueing to do so today. They tell you they are very proud of their 5000 years of history whilst they do their best to destroy anything that is in their way so they can build shopping malls, office blocks or Olympic stadia. Strange people.

Answer 5

I desire I knew chinese language. ???§???|¼û I in basic terms know the thank you to speak French. And English... Je veux savoir remark parler en Chinois. Je sais remark parler en Francais. Et Anglais....

Answer 6

For sure Temple of Heaven is one of them.