The basic feature of Chinese architecture is rectangular units of space joined together into a whole. Temples in ancient Greece also employed rectangular spaces，but the overall effect had austere tendencies. By contrast, the Chinese style combines rectangular shapes varying in size and position according to importance into an organic whole with each level and component clearly distinguished. As a result，traditional Chinese style buildings have an imposing yet dynamic exterior.
中国建筑的基本特征是将矩形空间单位连成一个整体。古希腊的庙宇也采用了矩形空间，但是整体效果倾向于朴素。与此相反，中式建筑则根据各种大小和位置的矩形体的重要性将其连成一个整体，同时每一层和每个组成部分都明显地得到突出。这使得中式建筑物威严且不失活力。
Traditional Architecture
传统建筑
Ancient Chinese architecture enjoys a long history and great achievements,and created many architectural miracles such as the Great Wall. In the process of its development, superior architectural techniques and artistic design were tombiped to make unique Chinese architecture one of the three greatest orchitectural systems.
中国的古代建筑拥有悠久的历史，取得过巨大的成就，它创造出长城等许多建筑奇迹。在它的发展过程中将出色的建筑技巧和艺术设计结合在一起，从而使独特的中国建筑成为最杰出三大建筑体系之一。
The combinations of units of space in traditional Chinese architecture follow the principles of balance and symmetry. The main structure is the axis, and the secondary structures are positioned as two wings on each side to form the main rooms and yard. Residences，official buildings，temples，and palaces all follow these basic principles. The distribution of interior space reflects Chinese social and ethical values. For instance，in traditional residential buildings, members of a family are assigned living quarters based on the family hierarchy. The master of the house occupies the main room， and the elder members of the master's family live in the compound in the back. The younger members of the family live in the wings to the left and right; those with seniority on the left and the others on the right.
传统中国建筑在将空间单位联成一体时遵循的是平衡与对称的原则。主结构就是轴线，而次要结构则置于每一面的两翼，从而构成主屋和院子。住宅、官方建筑、寺院以及宫殿都遵循这些基本原则。内部空间的分配反映出中国的社会观和伦理观。例如在传统的住宅建筑中，一个家庭根据等级向其成员分配住房。一家之主住在主屋中，而这家的长辈则居住在后面建筑中。这个家的年轻成员则居住在左右两翼;资历较高的居住左侧，而其他人则住在右侧。
Another characteristic of traditional Chinese architecture is its use of a wooden structural frame with pillars，beams, and earthen walls surrounding the building on three sides. The main door and windows are in front. Chinese have used wood as a main construction material for thousands of years;wood to the Chinese repreBents life, and "life" is the main idea that Chinese culture strives to communicate.This feature has been preserved up to the present.
传统中国建筑的另一个特点就是它使用了木结构框架和桂子、梁以及三面环绕建筑物的土墙。正门和窗户位于前面。几千年来，中国人将木头作为主要的建筑材料;木头对中国人来说代表着生命，而“生命”是中国文化力图传递的主要思想，这一特点一直沿用至今。

Based on the structure of the wooden beams and pillars，traditional Chinese rectangular buildings are divided into several rooms.In order to cover the structure with an over-hanging roof,the Chinese invented a special type of support bracket,called which both supports the and is an attractive ornamentation.
通过木梁和木柱的结构，中国传统的矩形建筑物被分割为数间房间。为了对结构使用高悬的房顶，中国人发明出一种被称之为斗拱的特殊支架，它既对结构起到支撑作用也是极富吸引力的装饰。
Roofs usually slope down on both sides in a simple fashion. However, many traditional Chinese buildings have curved eaves. The characteristic curve of Chinese roofs is symbolic of the spirit of Chinese culture. While the building itself is relatively plain and straightforward，the ridge and eaves of the roof introduce a more intricate aspect in the form of upward-curving eaves. This is analogous to the Chinese national character which is by nature plain and straightforward but full of vitality.
房顶通常两边都以简单的方式向下倾斜。但是许多传统的中国建筑都有曲檐。中国房顶上具有特点的弧线象征着中国文化的精神。虽然建筑物本身比较朴素、简单，但是屋脊和屋檐却以向上弯曲的屋檐形式告诉我们更为复杂的一面。这与中国的国民性是一致的，即本质上很朴素、坦率但却充满活力。
Three special architectural features resulted from the use of wood material.The first is that the depth and breadth of interior space is determined by the wooden structural frame. The second is the development of the technique of applying color lacquers to the structure to preserve the wood. These lacquers were made in brilliant，bold colors，and became one of the key identifying features of traditional Chinese architecture. Third is the technique of building a structure on a platform，to prevent damage from moisture. The height of the platform corresponds to the importance of the building. A high platform adds strength，sophistication，and stateliness to large buildings.
通过使用木料产生了三个特殊的建筑特征。第一就是内部空间的深度与宽度取决于木质结构框架。第二则是发展出在结构上使用彩色漆的技巧，这可以保护木料。这些漆使用了耀眼、醒目的色彩，而且成为中国传统建筑的本质特征之一。第三点就是在平台上建造建筑物的技巧，这避免了潮气所产生的危害。平台的高度与建筑物的重要程度相对应。大型平台使大型建筑物更加富有力量、更加精密、更加庄严。
Timber framework decides that colour is the main ornament used on ancient Chinese architecture. In the beginning，paint was used on wood for antisepsis while later painting became an architectural ornament. In the feudal society，the use of colour was restricted according to strict social status classification.Since yellow was deemed noblest colour and green the second，they were often applied on palace painting，which was called Hexicaihua(a kind of Chinese colour painting)in Chinese. The sundry color murals found on a traditional Chinese building range from outlines of dragons and phoenixes to depictions of myths to paintings of landscapes，flowers, and birds. Clearly these color murals have both symbolic and aesthetic significance. One notable architectural development in southern China，particularly in Taiwan，is fine wood sculpture. Such sculptures coupled with murals give the structure an elegant and florid effect under the background of white granite basement.
木质框架决定了色彩是中国古代建筑的主要装饰。起初，油漆涂在木料上是为了防腐，而之后油漆便成了一种建筑装饰。在封建社会中，根据严格的社会等级划分而限制了色彩的使用。由于黄色被视为最高贵的颜色而绿色次之，因此它们经常用于宫殿，这被汉语称作和玺彩画(一种中国彩画)。在传统中国建筑上可以找到各式各样的彩色壁画，这其中有龙、凤的轮廓，有对神话的叙述，也有风景、花卉、鸟类的画作。很明显，这些彩色壁画具有象征和审美意义。中国南方的一个突出的建筑发展就是精美的木雕，这在台湾尤为突出。这些木雕加上壁画以后，使结构在花岗岩底座的背景下产生了高雅、华丽的效果。
Modern Architecture
现代建筑
As with many other elements of the Chinese culture，tradition has been interwoven with modern technology. Although many traditional buildings still exist，almost all new buildings are built in Western style. it's not uncommon to see skyscrapers in a large city of China. Traditional houses，however, are still exquisitely built.
和中国文化中其他许多要素一样，传统是和现代技术交织在一起的。虽然许多传统建筑物依然存在，但是几乎所有的新式建筑都是西式建筑。摩天大楼在中国的大城市中并不罕见。但是传统的房屋依然修建得十分精美。