Ancient Chinese architecture is not only a sou rce of reference for modernChinese design, but its cultural heritage has also had an international influ—ence and attracted global attention. Appreciating ancient Chinese architec-ture can be likened to opening up an enormous history book. The legends ofremote antiquity speak of the great military achievements of the Qin emperor, the noble spi rit of the Tang Dynasty, the palace intrigues of the Ming Dynasty, not to mention the wisdom and intelligence of the millions of ordinary laborersthat are neglected by the history books;all of their images are vividly re-corded therein.