On May 9th, it was reported by multiple domestic media outlets that a "gigantic footprint" was found on a mountaintop in Xingren, Guizhou, in the town of Huilong.
This footprint is actually the remains of the "Shiji" city built in the sixth year of the Tianqi reign of the Ming Dynasty (1626).
When it comes to architecture, we often categorize it into the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, but upon closer inspection, Ming Dynasty architecture has its own unique style.
The architectural style of the Ming Dynasty inherited traditional construction methods from the Song Dynasty and adopted engineering practices from the Qing Dynasty. The main characteristics of Ming architecture design and planning are grand scale and majestic appearance, with more mature arrangements of architectural complexes.
The early Ming architectural style is similar to that of the Song and Yuan dynasties, simple and robust. The mid-Ming style is rigorous, while the late Ming style tends to be intricate, converging with early Qing architecture.
It is worth mentioning that Feng Shui reached its peak during the Ming Dynasty. The selection of building sites was based on Feng Shui principles, with Feng Shui masters often involved in choosing village locations. This unique ancient cultural phenomenon in Chinese architectural history has had a lasting influence that continues into modern times.
