China is pushing to get large numbers of timber-frame buildings constructed during the Tang-to-Song dynasties (from 618-1279) recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage sites – including Nanchan Temple, one of the world’s oldest timber buildings still standing. It comes as global leaders in ancient architecture, preservation, and restoration converged on Changzhi in China’s Shanxi Province to understand how millennia-old wooden structures can be better preserved, restored and protected.
“The conference helped us broaden perspectives on timber-frame architecture,” according to Lü Zhou, director of the National Heritage Center of Tsinghua University, who told the Chinese-controlled Global Times that the World Heritage status is “still in its early stages.”
“Applying for World Heritage status is an effective way to raise global awareness of the value of ancient Chinese wooden architecture and the country’s millennia-long experience in conserving timber-frame buildings,” Lü said, who, with experts toured Jinci Temple – China’s earliest classical ancestral temple building, Foguang Temple and Nanchan Temple in Wutai county – crucial to Tang dynasty development, before visiting Faxing Temple, Chongqing Temple, and Guanyin Hall in Changzhi – important to Buddist architecture from the Song and Ming dynasties.
Speaking to the Chinese-controlled Global Times, Lü said that China is now using it’s know-how to protect and preserve overseas buildings, including the Basantapur Palace complex—one of three Nepalese UNESCO World Heritage Sites—battered by an 8.1 earthquake in 2015. Based on Nepali traditional aesthetics and supported by China’s Academy of Cultural Heritage’s patented techniques in restoration, it was praised by experts for its “high efficiency and good quality.”
In 2009, UNESCO added Chinese traditional architectural craftsmanship for timber-framed structures to its list of Intangible Heritage sites.
“Standing as distinctive symbols of Chinese architectural culture, timber-framed structures are found throughout the country,” according to the UNESCO listing 00223. “The wooden components such as the columns, beams, purlins, lintel and bracket sets are connected by tenon joints in a flexible, earthquake-resistant way.”
“The surprisingly strong frames can be installed quickly at the building site by assembling components manufactured in advance. In addition to this structural carpentry, the architectural craft encompasses decorative woodworking, tile roofing, stonework, decorative painting and other arts passed down from masters to apprentices through verbal and practical instruction.”
The push for ancient wooden buildings to be recognised comes after Wood Central revealed that a Chinese technique for building wooden arch bridges—without using a single nail or rivet—was added to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage sites. The bridges, which are found in China’s Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, “combine craftsmanship, the core technologies of “beam-weaving,” mortise and tenon joints, an experienced woodworker’s understanding of different environments, and the necessary structural mechanics,” according to UNESCO’s listing.
- To learn more about China’s wooden arch bridges, click here to view UNESCO’s updated list of Intangible Cultural Heritage sites.
