very nice billy!

I hope I'm able to communicate this effectively...

Billy, is there an engineering (as opposed to aesthetic) reason for the upturned corners on Chinese temples? Is is some sort of strength or drainage enhancement, or is it done just because it looks cool?

Although roofs may seem insignificant, they are a very important part of Chinese architecture. Roofs not only protected residences from the elements but also had deeper meanings. For example, the Buddhist curved their temple roofs because they believed that the shape helped ward off evil spirits. The roof of the temple is made of glazed ceramic tiles and has an overhanging eave, distinguished by a graceful upward slope. The intricate fit of merging rafters forms the complex arc at which the roof curves. The Chinese also used this concept in the construction of elaborate roofs on expensive homes. The building materials used to cover the ridge and gutters improved, over time, from regular mud to the earth tiles. They plastered the floors and walls with a combination of lime and sand, giving them a hard and smooth surface. They also made the north walls of their homes thicker to protect and insulate from the strong and cold winds. Perhaps one of the most important architectural advancement was the invention of corbel brackets (known as "dugong" in Chinese) placed on column heads which support the projecting eaves. Later, these became a unique feature to the classical Chinese architecture.

I read some materials about it, I cant remember the reasons. Or you check by google.

Splode I read or heard some where that the up turned roof corners were to keep 'evil spirits away , like what superbaton said ,

There're no final theory to explain the large and curved roofs of Chinese buildings in engineering,according to a popular viewpoint,"large" is to protect buildings from the eroding of rainwater and "curved" is to get more daylight. The curved roofs can be found in models(crockery) of buildings of 2000 years ago,I think no one could know the reason exactly before the next important archaeological discovering :headshake

The Wang's House
 

Wang is a rich businessman in Shanhaiguan in Qing Dynasty. The house is close to the First Pass Under Heaven.

Chen Yuanyuan, the pretty woman, was famous in Chines history. They told me that the drawing only shows her 60% beauty.

The bed of the first son is the most wonderful in the beds of the Children.

The smoking bed

The GuZheng.

The Root Carvering

There is a small collection room for the Chinese traddtional art and crafts.

Siliver Ring

They collected the old clothes. The first is for baby.

It is hard to see people having these clothes now.

Some funneral houses sell the clothes for the dead people now.

Wow, I'd love to have that root carving. :mg: