china

Abstract

I imagine time

To be a flowing liquid;

Time cannot be caught in a net,

And a sieve is useless to capture it.

(Time cannot become a solid body.

Time can be a fossil, neither good nor evil,

To be found in the millennial layer.)

Ai Qing (1910-1996) 艾青

22 August 1979, Harbin

Chinese culture is probably the oldest living culture. China’s past is incredibly long and rich, diverse, and full of ups and downs. China has had a huge influence on the cultures of neighbouring countries, as well as on other countries.

We have selected articles that consider influence on Chinese architecture coming the other way from its neighbours. The powerful culture of Russia, the sophisticated school of architecture of Japan, and even the fleeting culture of Manchukuo have all left their traces in Chinese cities, and this evidence of intersection and mutual enrichment of cultures offers important lessons for the future.