Chinese pagodas & 'The path of beauty': a study of Chinese aesthetics and pagodas

Abstract

I have been personally interested in Chinese architecture for many years. My particular interest has been in the ancient works, and pagodas have held a particular fascination for me. During 1995 as part of a course titled 'An Introduction to Chinese Civilisation' I wrote two essays on Chinese architecture. The first was titled "Architectural 'Chineseness'" and the second "Architectural 'non-Chineseness' - a study of the pagoda". These two essays expanded my knowledge and interest, especially in the pagoda, a curious form in the landscape of Chinese architecture. During the New Zealand summer of 1996 - 1997 I was able to travel to China and study in Beijing for a few weeks. It was an invaluable experience and a great opportunity to experience some of the architecture first-hand, including climbing some pagodas! This research has allowed me to continue to expand my knowledge in an area of architecture that interests and excites me.