In some parts of China, mainly in Anhui Province and Zhejiang Province, spread groups of grey-tiled and white-walled houses, forming one of the most typical scenes captured in traditional Chinese landscape paintings. It is Hui-style architecture, one of the major Chinese architectural styles of ancient times.
Hui-style architecture developed into a significant building school in the Song Dynasty. In the mid-Ming Dynasty, gardens and houses constructed with Hui styles developed very quickly along with the success of Hui commerce (商业). Hui-style architecture soon stepped out from Huizhou and was introduced to big towns.
Hui-style architecture is characterized by the arrangement of villages together with nature, and a simple and beautiful exterior (外观).
Hui-style houses are usually ones with skylights (天井). With a square skylight surrounded by houses from four sides or from left, right and backside, these houses can reduce the beat of sunshine and enjoy ventilation (通风). All the houses gathers water from the skylight which means fortune will not run off outside.
In ancient times, the colors used for buildings were very strict Bright colors could only be used in palaces, temples and for government officials. So people in Huizhou chose the black and white colors to paint their houses.
Generally speaking, the exterior appearance of Hui-style buildings differs little while their interior can vary a lot based on the wishes of the owners. Home decoration is characterized by three types of Hui carving: stone carving, wood carving and brick carving.
To take a look at the Hui-style architecture, Xidi Village in Yixian County, Anhui Province, is the best place to go. It is a site of typical Hui houses, and one of the “Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui” that have been collectively listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.
【小题1】What can we learn about Hui-style architecture?| A．It is common across China. | B．It differs greatly exteriorly. |
| C．It focuses on landscape paintings. | D．It wins international recognition. |
| A．Its interior appearance. | B．Its roof structure. |
| C．Its practical functions. | D．Its strange shapes. |
| A．Bright colors were strictly controlled. |
| B．Bright colors caused fortune to run of. |
| C．Light colors best fit in with nature. |
| D．Light colors could reflect sunshine. |
| A．To advertise UNESCO. | B．To share information on visits. |
| C．To introduce a heritage site. | D．To call for protection. |
