Category: 建筑Architecture

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  The tailless dragons that formed the handle of a large casted bell. The bell sat inside a small building with arch-shaped opennings on four sides. Four low gates were also set up to prevent anyone from getting their hands on it. But if you paid Y10 you may go in and kiss it if you like.

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  a finely-crafted handle or knob in the shape of a lion's head with a dragon on a flat ring under its mouth. They are part of the design of a large red gate.

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  Chinese characters on top of the doorway,"四时平安“ (peace, tranquility, and general wellness throughout the 4 seasons).

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  Swallows are common in villages. If they like your place and decided to stay by building their nests, then you are in good fortune. the nest are usually built underneath eaves or the above an entrance doorway. One I saw above a doorway; the owner installed a metal cover above the nest to shield it from rain. Here it perches on a ceiling hook.

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  The character 福 fu (fortune) written on the wall directly opposite a entrance.

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  Close-up of the previous beam with the carvings. The carvings are gold painted. The hooks are used for hanging lanterns.

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  A masterfully carved and painted wood piece.

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  Detail of a corner of an eave showing the distinctive Chinese brackets know as 斗拱Dougong. Dougongs are sophisticated supportive elements - to support eaves and beams.

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  A dragon head scream into the gloomy sky. Mythical animals, such as the dragon, have good balance of fearsomeness and nobleness that suited the wealthy merchants' taste.

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  The good thing about coming to these places in person is that you can freely touch these and feel the paints peeling off.

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  The library consist of several hallways of carved calligraphy carved on stone slabs attached to the walls.

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  The surrounding walls outside the main entrance with the moulded calligraphic characters.

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  One of the many designed (or imaged) walls.

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  One of the many designed (or imaged) walls carved out of bricks. 砖雕brick carving is a well-known specialty of the area.

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  dragon heads lined the three-tiered base of the Temple's marble base

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  A 门罩 menzhao directly above an entrance doorway.

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  Menzhao inside the bouse.

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  Stone relief carvings attached to a wall.

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  This window screen was carved from a solid slab of stone. I was told that a foreigner offered a large sum for it but fortunately was turned down.

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  The stone base of the pillars and wood walls.

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  Roof details of a house inside a 胡同 hutong.

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  The giant gate door is made up of a metal skin wrapped around a plank of solid wood.