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。
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