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AChinese pavilion (Chinese 亭,pinyintíng) is a gardenpavilion in traditionalChinese architecture. While often found withintemples, pavilions are not exclusively religious structures. Many Chinese parks andgardens feature pavilions to provide shade and a place to rest.
Pavilions are known to have been built as early as theZhou dynasty (1046–256 BCE), although no examples of that period remain today. The first use of theChinese character for pavilion dates to theSpring and Autumn period (722–481 BCE) and theWarring States period (403–221 BCE). During theHan dynasty (202 BCE–220 CE) they were used as watchtowers and local government buildings. These multi-story constructions had at least one floor without surrounding walls to allow observation of the surroundings.
During theSui (581–618) andTang (618–907) dynasties wealthy officials and scholars incorporated pavilions into their personal gardens. During this period the function of pavilions shifted from the practical to theaesthetic. Pavilions provided a place to sit and enjoy the scenery, and they also became a part of the scenery itself, being attractive structures. Brush-and-ink landscape scrolls of theSong dynasty (960–1279) show the isolated pavilions of scholar hermits in mountainous regions. Under the impetus of scholarly tastes for the simplicity of a rustic life, while previously pavilions were constructed from stone, other materials such as bamboo, grass and wood came into use.
Pavilions are often classified according to their shape when viewed from above. Round, square, hexagonal and octagonal pavilions are common, while more unusual designs also exist such as the Nanhai Pavilion located at theTemple of Heaven inBeijing, which consists of two round pavilions joined.
While the name is commonly believed to be related to its purpose as a place to stay and rest (Chinese:停留休息;pinyin:tínglíuxīuxi), the fact that the earliest pavilions were used for military and governmental purposes casts doubt on this interpretation.
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