Gavin: What are all the different shaped windows for here?

Hu: Oh, this is interesting, the first person who lived here also built the garden, and his name was Heshen, the most corrupt official in Chinese history. His treasures are equal to about 36 billion RMB! The treasures were preserved in this building. Look at the windows, there are 88 windows and each has different shape. The different shapes helped Heshen to remember where he put specific treasures in the building.




Gavin: Here we can see more different window styles, why are there so many different styles? What is there significance?

Hu: Yes, as I said. Chinese traditional architecture has developed over thousands years, so there remains many different styles. They have so many different functions and are decorated in countless different styles and materials. Generally speaking, for the Ming and Qing Dynasty exterior window style, there are long windows, short windows, removable windows, horizontal panel windows above doors, picture windows, decorative openwork windows (ornamental perforated window) and so on. They are made unique for different purposes. For example, the long window (lattice window opening) is also called panel door, which is also used as a door – hence the name! The top half becomes the window and the bottom is the skirting board.
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