Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Architecture In today’s video, I am going to introduce the knowledge of traditional Chinese architecture.今天，我将要介绍一些中国传统建筑的知识。So let’s begin.我们开始吧。 What is traditional Chinese architecture?什么是中国传统建筑？ It can be imperial palaces, altars, temples, mausoleums, pagodas, civilian residential housing, and bridges. 它可以是皇宫、祭坛、寺庙、陵墓、宝塔、民用住宅和桥梁。 When we mention Traditional Chinese Architecture, what is the first traditional building that first comes to your mind? 提到中国传统建筑，你首先想到的是什么? The Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City?故宫的太和殿? the Temple of Heaven? the Great Wall? Or a certain Buddhism temple in your hometown? 天坛?长城吗?或者你家乡的某个佛教庙宇？Or a traditional garden you once visited during a trip?还是你曾经在旅行中参观过的传统花园? No matter what it is, they probably are the masterpieces of traditional Chinese architecture. 不管它是什么，它们都可能是中国传统建筑的杰作。Why are they the very first buildings that pop into your mind?为什么它们会是你最先想到的建筑? Probably because you have noticed some typical features.可能因为你注意到了它们的一些典型特征。 Their extended eaves and colorful paints have left you a deep impression.延伸的屋檐和精美的彩绘给你留下了深刻的印象。 Features of traditional Chinese architecture are embedded in their doors, windows, decorations, and roofing elements. 中国传统建筑的特色体现在门窗、装饰和屋顶上。 They had different functions and were built in different dynasties, but they do share many common features of traditional Chinese architecture. 这些建筑物有不同的功能，是在不同的朝代建造的，但它们有许多共同点。So what are the features?有什么特点呢? Let’s look at this picture.让我们看看这张照片。 In this picture, almost all the buildings are rectangular.在这幅图中，几乎所有的建筑物都是长方形的。They are built with bricks and glazed tile.大多由砖头和琉璃瓦建成。Some of them have double-eaved roof.有些房子的屋檐是双层的。They are built with wood.
都是木质结构。 The whole layout is symmetric.整个布局是对称的。 These are the features of traditional Chinese architecture.这些就是中国传统建筑的特点。 The first typical feature is the timber framework.第一个典型特征是木框架 Traditional Chinese architecture featured timber framework as the supporting structure.中国传统建筑以木结构为支撑结构。Walls were not load bearing.墙壁不承重。 They were only used to separate space.它们只是用来分隔空间的。 The timber frame supported most of the weight of the house.木框架支撑着房子的大部分重量。 Windows, doors and walls were not restricted to certain locations.窗户、门和墙壁不限制在特定的位置。 The load on the top of a structure could be transferred to its groundwork through its posts, beams, lintels and joists. 结构顶部的荷载可以通过柱、梁、过梁和托梁转移到地基上。 Timber framework was resistant to earthquakes while possessing the advantages of flexibility and adaptability. 木结构具有良好的抗震性能和适应性。 Secondly, traditional Chinese architecture also stresses on the layout.其次，中国传统建筑也强调布局。 Traditional Chinese structures were usually based on the principle of balance and symmetry.中国传统的结构通常是基于平衡和对称的原则。 Palaces, temples, and residences all followed the principle that the main structure was the axis.宫殿、庙宇和住宅都遵循以主体结构位于轴线的原则。 The secondary structures were positioned as two wings on either side to form the yard.次要结构位于两翼，形成庭院。 In this way, groups of buildings appeared organically assembled.通过这种方式，一组组建筑有机地组合在一起。 Thirdly, traditional Chinese structures were mostly built with timber but some were built with bricks and tiles. 第三，传统的中国建筑大多是用木材建造的，但也有一些是用砖和瓦建造的。The glazed tile is a high grade building material in ancient China. 琉璃瓦是中国古代的一种高级建筑材料。 It was used exclusively on palace buildings and on the large mansions of some nobles and high officials. 专门用于宫殿建筑和一些贵族、高官的大宅第。 The residences of some nobles and officials were built with gray-titled roofs.一些贵族和官员的住宅是用灰色屋顶建造的。 Fourthly, ancient Chinese buildings tended to have huge roofs with extended eaves.
