Having travelled to many British towns, I am deeply impressed by the architecture, especially the aged buildings in the old industrial zones. Comparatively speaking, I reckon ancient Chinese architecture is so unique in the world, as its special language is entirely different from other cultures.
I find I am most impressed with city gates of various forms. The message delivered by its form tells us its construction is not to welcome people but to indicate its strength of defense, to manifest its inviolable dignity. I don’t know since when “gate” has become the symbol of territory. “Entrance” is used to describe researches upon a new territory; “conquering a pass” is used to describe solving a major difficulty; we also use “gateway of a country” to express a country’s closed-door policy of exclusion or opening-to-the-outside policy. Unknown secrets always lurk behind gates, treasures or devils? This appeals people to guess and explore.