Religious Sites

by Luo Zhewen, Zhewen Luo

Chinese architecture, art and culture have been greatly influenced by a variety of religions throughout China's history. The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had approved seven Chinese religious sites for inclusion in its World Heritage List by November 2003. Those listed include key Buddhist sites such as the Mogao Caves in Dunhuan, the Leshan Giant Buddha near Mount Emei, the Dazu Rock Carvings and Yungang Grottoes, which have blended carving, mural painting, colored sculpture and architecture into one to become outstanding representatives of ancient Chinese art. The ancient Taoist architectural complex on Mount Wudang is an important site of the indigenous Chinese religion Taoism, and is a treasure house of traditional Chinese architecture. In Tibet, politics and religion are combined in the majestic and splendid Potala Palace - a groupe of buildings devoted to Lamaism, a form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet. The palace represents the pinnacle of Tibetan art in terms of architecture, sculpture and painting. It is the crystallization of the wisdom of the Tibetan, Han, Mongolian and Manchurian peoples, among others. Discover the seven religious sites of China with great photography in this pocket-size book, Religious Sites, from the World Heritage of China series by Foreign Language Press.

16 x 14 cm; colourful pictures and photographs; soft cover.

95 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004