China's Sacred Sites

China's Sacred Sites Accolades for China's Sacred Sites:• 2008 Nautilus Book of the Year Gold Medal Winner• 2007 ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Gold Medal Winner in two categories China is home to some of the world's most impressive architectural achievements. But there is far more to this complex and subtle world than the Great Wall or the majestic Imperial Palace. Tucked away in remote valleys, perched on high cliffs, or set along winding rivers and placid lakes, China's lesser-known sacred architectural sites convey a vision of human culture existing harmoniously in nature. This vision is highly relevant today as we look for sustainable models of development in the face of unprecedented ecological changes. Part One of China's Sacred Sites introduces mountainscape feng shui, a traditional science of building design based on close observation of natural phenomena and drawing on the philosophical ideals of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Chapters by Nan Shunxun convey the bas