China

Lecture Information

  • Course: LAND 2510 History of the Built Environment I – Landscape Architecture

  • Instructor: Matthew Riggs

  • Institution: College of Environment & Design, The University of Georgia

  • Image Credit: Photo by Jingxian Li, 2015

Environment

  • Geographical Extent of China Proper:

    • Located between latitudes 40° and 20°.

    • Covers approximately 1.5 million square miles.

    • Bounded by Himalayas to the west, Pacific Ocean to the south and east, and without natural northern boundaries, open to historical invasions.

  • Major Rivers:

    • The Yellow River (Huang-Ho)

    • Yangtze-kiang

    • Si-kiang (Pearl River)

  • Geographical Attributes by Region:

    • North China: Extensive dry loess plains.

    • Central China: Features lakes, streams, and flooded fields.

    • South China: Characterized by mountains and inaccessible valleys extending into subtropical regions.

  • Climate Description:

    • Ranges from Siberian to sub-tropical.

    • Monsoon Season: From June to August, which provides most rainfall and ensures temperature uniformity.

    • Winter: Dry, short, and sharp.

  • Natural Environment Insights:

    • Primeval forests were lush, hosting a wider variety of species than any other place in the world.

    • Wildflowers thrived, and agricultural practices allowed for two crops a year per soil area.

    • The understanding between man and landscape formed a philosophical basis for Chinese thought.

Social History

  • Civilization Development:

    • Began around 3000 BCE along the Yellow River, evolving continuously for nearly 5,000 years.

    • Reached a peak in philosophy during the 6th century BCE, coinciding with Ancient Greece.

    • The unification of various states into a single empire occurred in 221 BCE.

  • Societal Structure:

    • Family Unit: Core stability in society primarily composed of small proprietors and merchants.

    • Absence of hereditary aristocracy; the emperor held ultimate authority.

    • Foreign conquerors were assimilated into the culture.

  • Contact with the West:

    • Began around the 1st century BCE via the Silk Road.

    • During the Han Dynasty (200 BCE – 200 CE), China’s population surpassed that of the entire Roman Empire; its technology and scale of imperial architecture were more advanced.

  • Administration Under the Sung Dynasty (960 – 1229 CE):

    • Administrative reorganization; capital established in Hangchow.

    • Described by Marco Polo as ‘the greatest and most beautiful city in the world’.

    • Accumulation, conservation, and intellectualization of prior knowledge set cultural standards for future generations.

  • Capital Transitions:

    • The Mongol Dynasty (1288 – 1368 CE) under Kublai Khan moved the capital to Peking while safeguarding Hangchow from destruction.

    • Peking remained a capital under the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 CE) and Qing Dynasty (1644 -1912 CE).

Philosophical Context

  • Human Relationship with Nature:

    • Chinese belief that humans emerged similarly to mountains and plants from the earth, forming a spiritual bond with nature.

    • Ancestor worship and respect for antiquity underscore this connection.

  • Confucianism:

    • Systematized by Confucius (Kong Qui, 550-478 BCE), forming a moral code of behavior.

    • Unlike a religious framework, it focused on ethics, affecting all future Chinese thought.

    • Offered a counterpoint to Taoism’s more mystical approach.

  • Taoism:

    • Tao defined as ‘the way’. Encouraged living according to the natural laws set by the Lord of Heaven.

    • Emphasis on individualism and inner harmony rather than strict adherence to rules.

    • Cultivated an enhanced sensitivity towards the environment.

  • Buddhism Influence:

    • Introduced into China around 58 CE, emphasizing the soul's emancipation from worldly desires.

    • Peak influence occurred between the 7th and 9th centuries, with Zen Buddhism traveling to Japan.

    • Post this period, focus shifted back to ethical, rather than spiritual, frameworks.

  • Perspectives on Nature:

    • Chinese philosophy viewed nature as constant and unchanging, reflecting a stable ecological relationship.

Artistic Expression

  • Cultural Roots in Art:

    • Early art forms evolved from calligraphy, which used pictographs conveying essence rather than mere appearance.

    • Landscape design emerged from artistic traditions, capturing the solitary philosopher's connection to nature and mythical realms.

  • Artistic Philosophy:

    • Artists blended the spiritual with the physical in their works, as emphasized by Yuan Yen in the 16th century.

    • Emphasis on painting conveying spirit, advised to imbue artistic creations with liveliness.

Architecture

  • Origins of Chinese Domestic Architecture:

    • The first home was crafted from the earth, slatedly roofed, similar to the foundational social unit of the family.

  • Traditional House Modules:

    • Comprised of three sections:

    • Main Gate and Worker’s Quarters

    • The House Proper

    • The Kitchen and Back of House

  • Architectural Consistency:

    • Minimal external differences between sacred (temples) and secular (homes) buildings; pagoda introduced by Buddhism to signify sacred areas.

    • Timber-framed structures with elaborate, upward-tilting tiled roofs, exhibiting aesthetic properties.

    • Buildings characteristically bright-colored.

Landscape Architecture

  • Philosophical Underpinnings of Chinese Gardens:

    • Use of geomancy principles in site selection, aiming for harmony between buildings and their environments.

    • Gardens designed to meld seamlessly with nature, consisting of elements like:

    • Rocks

    • Water features (ponds, lakes, bridges), symbolizing life's flow.

    • Rockeries representing natural essences.

    • Symbolic Imagery including cultural references, poetic elements, and seasonal themes in plant selection.

    • Enclosed Spaces providing privacy, often aided by wall and window designs.

    • Utility of Bridges, typically arched or zigzag, to enhance tranquility within the environment.

  • Urban Planning and Cosmic Orientation:

    • Cities and the emperor’s palace configured based on cosmic calculations, aligning heaven as round and earth as square.

Urban Layout and Key Sites

  • Imperial City Layout:

    • Cities, towns, and the emperor's urban palace drafted in accordance with cosmic calculations.

    • Altar structures (e.g., Altar of Heaven, Altar of Earth) playing significant roles in the planning based on these philosophical concepts.

  • Imperial Architecture Examples:

    • Forbidden City

    • Summer Palace (Yi He Yuan, ca. 1735-1796 CE)

    • Yuan Ming Yuan (Old Summer Palace, ca. 1723-1725 CE)

  • Cultural Landscapes and Gardens:

    • Humble Administrator’s Garden (ca. 1513-1533 CE)

    • Net Master's Garden (ca. 1140 CE)

    • Various landscapes and structures available for exploration and virtual visits, emphasizing the integration of culture and nature.