Author Description

This book, like the author's The Chinese House, explores the full range of this important architectural form, emphasizing regional patterns, historical developments, and structural forms, but also the symbolism implicit in the decorative elements which make up Chinese bridges. Not onlyadmired by Western travelers from earliest times to the present, Chinese bridges of all types figure as conspicuous landmarks in Chinese brush paintings and prominent parts of the landscape in gardens. Ancient bridges of many types survive throughout China's countryside and cities, giving clearevidence of the technical and artistic accomplishments of past bridge building.