I want to look at the coexistence of China's historical past and its more modernized identity since the early 2000s. This project explores the bridge between historic China and how it changes with urbanization. I chose to highlight architecture, cultural norms, gardens, and city development. As a Western visitor, I found myself constantly contrasting what I saw in China with what I knew from home. I hope to reflect on my perspective and share some of the things I have come to learn.
The image on the left is of the Jing'an Temple in Shanghai. This temple was first seen at the Jing'an site in 1216 during the Song dynasty. It has seen much renovation and at one point was even a factory. The temple was reestablished under Buddhist tradition by Master Chisong in 1953. This historic temple is seen in an urban setting, creating a juxtaposition between the past and present.
Beijing's Imperial Heart
Tiananmen Square
Located at the center of Beijing, Tiananmen Square is located, where the Tiananmen or "Gate of Heavenly Peace" leading to the Forbidden City is seen in the image to the right. The square was originally built in 1651 and was expanded in the 1950s. It houses the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and Mao Zedong's Mausoleum. The Communist Party used the square as a space for mass gatherings, parades, and political expression. It is also more globally known for the 1989 student-led pro-democracy protests known as the June 4th Incident. It seems the death of Hu Yaobang, who was a Communist Party leader that was known for being open-minded and sometimes pushing for political reform. During the mourning of Hu, over a million people gathered in Tiananmen Square in a peaceful protest, which later turned violent when martial law was declared by the government. The Chinese military moved into the square with tanks and rifles to forcibly remove the protestors. This marked one of the most visible and controversial uses of military force against civilians in modern history. U.S. diplomatic sources estimate that 500 to several thousand died. Supposedly, the event remains censored in mainland China, and information on the subject is hard to come by. The U.S. and several European nations imposed sanctions on China, but over time, countries resumed relations due to China's growing economic power.
The Forbidden City
Just north of Tiananmen Square is the Forbidden City, which is the largest ancient palace complex in the world. The building's construction was completed in 1420 during the Ming dynasty. Since then, it has been home to 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties until 1912. Eventually, it became the Palace Museum that the public knows today. The design was according to Confucian principles, Feng Shui, and traditional Chinese cosmology. The complex is laid out along a north-south axis that symbolizes cosmic harmony and political order. The yellow roofs are for the emperor, and the red walls are for joy and prosperity. The spaces were further divided by the inner court for private life and the outer court for official business. Things like the height of steps and the roofs reflected the rank of the individuals using them. The Chinese name Zijin Cheng literally means Purple Forbidden City. The purple is in reference to the North Star, referred to as Ziwei Star in ancient China. In Chinese astrology, the star was considered a heavenly abode of the Celestial Emperor. Ancient Chinese astronomers said the Purple Forbidden City represented the residence of the terrestrial emperor or the earthly counterpart to the celestial. The emperors in the Confucian hierarchy were known as the "Son of Heaven". Walking in the Forbidden City feels like walking into a different world, especially compared to the more urbanized Beijing just outside the walls.
Gathering at the Table
Meals in China
Dining in China often centers around shared dishes, round tables, and rotating lazy Susans, as shown in the image on the right. Rooted in Confucian tradition, communal meals are more than just a way to eat. They are a moral and social practice meant to reinforce relationships, harmony, and respect. In the West, meals are often served at rectangular, oval, or circular tables with stationary dishes or individually plated portions. Depending on the household, dinner can be a time of reflection rather than active connection, and many families no longer gather regularly for shared meals. In my own family, we rarely eat together due to busy schedules and a sense of independence when it comes to food. While I appreciated the experience of communal dining in China and the sense of togetherness it encourages, I also noticed that because we were with each other constantly during the trip, many of us simply wanted a quiet moment to eat. Still, I can see how this style of dining could be a meaningful and enjoyable tradition, especially among close friends and family.
The Chinese Garden
Chinese gardens emphasize asymmetry, movement, and symbolism. They are designed to be slowly revealed, often with more "hidden" views, curved paths, and a sense of layers. Alternatively, the Western & European gardens emphasize symmetry, dominance over nature, and rational design. In Chinese Garden design, plants have their symbolism. Pine trees represent wisdom, peonies wealth and power, the lotus purity, and other plants represent certain seasons, like plum trees for winter blooms. Rocks, while decorative, can represent mountains, wisdom, and even immortality. During the Ming dynasty, a scholar's garden had five elements: rocks, water, plants, architecture, and connections to Chinese literature and culture. Architecture elements are things such as towers, pavilions, halls, and bridges. Zigzag paths and/or bridges were specifically built so that spirits could not pass, as they were thought to only be able to walk in a straight line. There are now public gardens, but owning a garden in China is still seen as a symbol of wealth.
Urbanization
Over the past few decades, China has experienced one of the most dramatic urban transformations in the modern world. Cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou have rapidly grown into global centers that rival major Western cities in scale and density. While Western urban expansion happened gradually over time, mostly shaped by private development, China's urban growth is largely state-directed. Certain historical landmarks have been carefully preserved, but much of China's urban growth has come at the cost of its architectural and cultural heritage. Entire neighborhoods, traditional alleyways, and historic homes have been demolished to make way for modern high-rise buildings, wide roads, and large-scale commercial zones. As a result, many cities now feature isolated pockets of the past surrounded by highrises. This tension between preserving the past and pushing forward with development reflects a broader challenge for China as it tries to present itself as both a rising modern power and a culture with thousands of years of tradition. In many cases, the future has taken priority, sometimes at the expense of local identity and cultural memory.
Credits:
Created with images by TTstudio - "Shanghai, China" • Michael - "Jing'an Temple in Shanghai" • Bryan - "Tienanmen square" • Chan Mena - "Tiananmen Square" • Cla78 - "Beautiful view of Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park" • joeyphoto - "The exterior decoration of Chinese garden in Xingguo temple" • gui yong nian - "Chinese style nine curved bridge" • Jürgen Wackenhut - "Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto in Verbania. Province of Piedmont in Northern Italy" • kora studio - "luxury resort hotel california home pool villa court yard garden landscape design with lounging chairs and pool" • John Alphonse - "Gardens of Vannes in Western France" • Thomas Pozzo di Borgo - "garden path under flowers arches, prieure notre dame d orsan, fr" • naiveangelde - "Yard of catholic abbay, Brugge, Belgium" • Anthony - "Stone flag path in front of a herbaceous border at an English country garden" • mattegg - ""Busy Shopping Mall with Stores and Escalator to Upper Floor"" • Aleksei - "View of a CRH high-speed bullet train" • Manthan Gupta - "Streets of Hong Kong"