The difference between China and Korea – Part II. – Buildings

In both countries, modern day skyscrapers are perfectly westernized and are the only type of buildings built in big cities nowadays. Even apartment blocks have about 20 storeys so I count them to this class of tall buildings.

The difference between China and Korea is visible in the style of their traditional buildings, even though the Korean style was heavily influenced by the Chinese example over a very long period of time. This can be seen from the shape of a rising curve at the edges of the roofs for example. In both countries the houses were built on a base made of stones from round pieces of wood which were painted afterwards. But let’s look into the differences.

First of all, the chinese palaces are much bigger, due to the difference in size between the two countries (I suppose). Another significant difference is the choice of colours used to paint the wooden parts of the buildings. It is said that the Koreans always were much more connected to nature so they made green the colour of their choice while the chinese preferred the more aggressive coulour of bright red which is a lucky coulour symbolizing prosperity at the same time. It is often combined with blue and golden elements. As examples I chose the forbidden city in 北京 and the Gyeonghuigung palace, one of five palaces built by the Joseon dynasty in Seoul.

The forbidden citiy in Beijing.

Wooden window grating in the forbidden city, Beijing.

Gyeonghuigung palace in Seoul.

Gyeonghuigung palace in Seoul – wall painting.

The Koreans used red as well but a less bright version of it. There are more patterns and motifs directly influenced by the colours and shapes of nature, while the Chinese chose more abstract patterns and mythological animals such as the dragon who symbolizes the emperor and the mythological lions who proctect houses and palaces.

In contrast to european palaces which largely consist of one big building and some garden pavilions, chinese and korean palaces consist of a big number of buildings aligned and placed next to each other in an orderly manner, forming lots of small and big courtyards.