Travelers in China may be amazed at seeing the magnificent ancient Chinese architecture. China has a splendid time-honored architectural legacy, which has undergone thousands of years of development to become a distinct part of world architectural history. There are many types of ancient Chinese architectures, ranging from temples through gardens, mausoleums, pagodas, and imperial palaces to residential houses.

Unlike buildings in other countries, which are usually built with bricks and tiles, ancient Chinese buildings are usually built with timber. That is because timber was not only easily available and transported but also very practical. Apart from that, it is always easier to carve in the wood rather than in the bricks.

Many foreign travelers are shocked by the fact that, some ancient Chinese buildings are linked well with no nails. "How can the magnificent building stand without the help of nails?" you may ask. It is the function of the miracle corbel (It is called "Dougong"in Chinese). No discussion of traditional Chinese buildings can be complete without a mention of the corbel construction. The corbel construction is the ultimate form of Chinese architecture. It is the pride of Chinese nationality and the admiration of foreigners. Posts and beams are connected closely with the help of Dougong. The use of Dougong can make the buildings not only impregnable but also more beautiful.

Ancient Chinese buildings can also make them out with the characteristics of their roofs. The roofs one can see in ancient Chinese buildings are always upturned roofs or double roofs. A practical function of upturned roof gutter is to ensure enough light inside the building while making it easy to carry off rainwater. The double roofs are designed to have the function of beautify the whole building. We can see from this point that Chinese people art-lovers.
Buildings in China, like temples, palaces and pagodas, rise invariably from a terrace. That is as it should be, for the wooden frame, however flexible it is, has to be protected from any ingress of water. Apart from that, terrace can also show the status of the owner. The higher the terrace of buildings is, the higher reputation the owner may have. Take the Forbidden City in Beijing for example, the terrace of the Three Great Hall is the highest of all, since its owner, the emperor, enjoyed the highest reputation in the country.