Influence of Chinese Pagoda on European Architecture

The Chinese Empire, comprising China proper, Tibet, and Mongolia, covers a larger area than the whole of Europe. It is for the most part mountainous, but has four great trading rivers which facilitate internal commerce, while there is a network of canals for irrigation and navigation in the low-lying provinces, and canals and navigable rivers together form the principal highways of China. The " Grand Canal," for example, extending from Tientsin to Hangchow, is 600 miles long. Excellent harbours promoted that intercourse with India and Assyria which influenced architectural forms ; for the Chinese pagoda ...