Large quantities of timber were found in China, hence Amazingly, the Chinese Civilization and culture never

construction of buildings using wood was very common. faded into oblivion! It is one of the oldest continuous
civilizations of the world!

Rivers

The Chinese developed the art of making exquisite porcelain. Some of them had
superfine glossy surfaces, richly decorated with colourful designs. Town planning of a city was laid out in the form of a square and was further divided
into 9 squares. The objective was to create favourable and auspicious conditions that
Woodwork would bring balance and harmony between humans, government, heaven and Earth.

Near the valleys of the river Huang He (Yellow River)

Near the valleys of the river Chang Jiang (Yangtze).

Decline

The chief occupation of the Chinese was agriculture. They East and Central Asia
Location What?
grew rice, wheat, barley, millet and soya beans.
Based on specific religious (eg. Feng Shui) and scientific ideas and
North - Great Wall of China principles.
Pottery Art and Craft

South - Himalayas
Borders
East - Pacific Ocean
Agriculture
The Chinese were the first to make silk cloth. Silkworms were reared West - Broad Deserts and Mountains
on mulberry trees. Their silk was very fine and it was world-famous. Occupation

It followed strict traditional rules of layout and design.

How?
Sericulture
It began with the urbanization of the Huang He Valley.
Main Characteristics Town Planning
Neolithic Age
Ancient Chinese Civilization
The Chinese Domesticated horses, cattle, sheep, dogs and poultry. When?
They used horses and horse-drawn carts as means of transport.
Domestication of Animals Trade Palaces, houses, temples, markets, etc. were built within these blocks.

Great Wall of China

Religion Society Examples

The Chinese carried on trade with Japan, India, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Rich people lived in large, fancy houses with many rooms that were beautifully designed
etc. Their chief exports were silk, chinaware, tea and paper and decorated.

Social Structure
Houses Rich people

Confucianism Structure

Worshipped the forces of nature. Astrologers and oracles

Architecture
Poor people
were highly respected. They worshipped their ancestors and Features
later believed in Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
They had small, simple, one-roomed houses built with bamboo and
Confucianism was a religious movement named after its Chinese founder, 2,400 km long. sun-dried bricks.
Confucius. The principles he taught were basically a practical code of moral Length
conduct.
4.5m to 9m.
Height

It was built across mountains, deserts and plains

It was built for protection of different states

The main door of every house always faced south. Houses had
The emperor occupied the highest rung of the social ladder, followed by nobles, features life curved roofs resembling the wings of a bird, figures
Pagodas of gods on doorways, ponds, wells and other water sources
merchants, craftspeople, farmers and finally the slaves. The soldiers occupied a
special place in society. They were feared and respected people. People lived in An important feature of Chinese Architecture was the construction of stupa-style
clans (groups) and the family was a close-knit family. temples called pagodas. The interiors of pagodas were decorated with beautiful
sculptures.