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CHINA BY DESIGN
CRAFTED . CURATED . COMPOSED
BEIJING . SHANGHAI . XIAN
CRAFTED . CURATED . COMPOSED
When one imagines Chinese architecture and design, they might imagine the China they have seen in pictures or in movies. But modern Chinese architecture has long since evolved beyond the pagodas and wooden structures that once dominated this wondrous country. While these traditional elements still play a large part in China’s design, they are blended with contemporary techniques to create stunning and cutting-edge structures known today.
When discussing modern Chinese design, it is important to characterise what the term contains. The phrase refers to everything built in China since the 1800s and features a vast variety of styles and design elements. While the classic Chinese look of sweeping roofs and colourful ornamentation still holds a special place in China’s history, the Opium Wars of the 1840’s saw more Western designs become incorporated into the country’s structural makeup.
While some criticise Chinese architecture for lacking a unique cultural identity due to this Western influence, the country is gradually building a style of its own courtesy of each successive wave of young architects and designers who add their own spin on modern design. Rather than focusing on specific colours or intricacies, the major modern Chinese architecture characteristics involve an emphasis on buildings that display great depth and height.
BEIJING . SHANGHAI . XIAN
CRAFTED . CURATED . COMPOSED
Symmetry is a major factor as Chinese designers create buildings that border on futuristic. Glass windows are a key part of this sleek design and feature prominently across the faces of buildings to create a clean look. These designs take the form of extravagant skyscrapers and public buildings that dominate the horizon and showcase a focus on excess. Some architects emphasise this massive scale by constructing these behemoths in large open spaces, resulting in monoliths that are some of the largest buildings in the world.
These striking symbols of growth are bold and adventurous and form an integral aspect of visiting China today, as much as its ancient history may. Throughout our ‘China By Design’ product range we focus on these elements to ensure our clients learn and marvel at both China’s remarkable historical monuments as well as the history the country is making today, in real time.
For the design-minded traveller, the mega cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Xi’an are no longer just places to check off historic monuments. They are living galleries where cutting-edge architects and interior designers are rewriting the rules of public spaces and hospitality by blending timeless, traditional elements into sleek, contemporary forms. And nowhere is delivering this on a grander scale than in China!
BEIJING . SHANGHAI . XIAN
CRAFTED . CURATED . COMPOSED
‘China By Design’ is not just about design itself, architecture and buildings … but also how our travel programs are actually designed and delivered. The carefully crafted experiences, the behind the scenes access and the finely added touches of style go a long way to ensure our guests have the most exemplary time spent in these destinations.
‘China By Design’ is our way of showcasing a different form of tourism to the country, where mass market and commercialism is avoided with personalised and specialised travel, taken as our focal approach. As the country continues to open up to travellers after the wilderness pandemic years, watch this space as more product is crafted, created and composed … the Asia Concierge way!
