Introduction to studies of traditional Chinese architecture and city planning. The lectures cover a series of selected topics, such as the maturation and principles of the trabeated system of timber buildings, the patterning of spatial sequence, symbolism in the construction of buildings and cities, medieval urban transition, urban land use, and public space, each centred on a prominent architectural or urban feature that is representative of a specific historic period. Emphasis will be placed on treating the Chinese experience as an axiomatic part in world civilization, rather than as an exotic and mysterious heritage of the past. Such an emphasis implies two primary concerns: (1) cross-cultural dialogue in architectural and urban history, and (2) the relevance of the studies to contemporary issues in architectural design and city planning. Assessment is based on in-class discussion, a series of short literature reviews, and one major assignment