A photo taken on July 20, 2024 shows a preserved roof featuring elaborate mountain motifs on a memorial archway in Huishan Ancient Town in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. /CGTN
A photo taken on July 20, 2024 shows a preserved roof featuring elaborate mountain motifs in Huishan Ancient Town in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. /CGTN
A photo taken on July 20, 2024 shows a preserved roof featuring elaborate mountain motifs in Huishan Ancient Town in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. /CGTN
A photo taken on July 20, 2024 shows a preserved roof in Huishan Ancient Town in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. Dragon heads are common ornamental motifs on roofs in Chinese architecture, where they are believed to ward off evil spirits. /CGTN
A photo taken on July 20, 2024 shows a preserved roof in Huishan Ancient Town in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. The white walls and dark gray tiles are famous for their typical Chinese Hui style. This layered roof design is called "horse head walls" in Chinese because they are higher than the roof of the building and serve as a barrier between one house and the next. They are designed this way to serve a very practical purpose: preventing fires. /CGTN
A photo taken on July 20, 2024 shows a preserved roof in Huishan Ancient Town in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. The white walls and dark gray tiles are famous for their typical Chinese Hui style. This layered roof design is called "horse head walls" in Chinese because they are higher than the roof of the building and serve as a barrier between one house and the next. They are designed this way to serve a very practical purpose: preventing fires. / CGTN
The roof played a vital role in ancient Chinese architecture. It not only served as a shelter from the rain and sun, but also showed the wealth and social status of the owner. In Huishan Ancient Town, located in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, the rich history and culture is reflected today in the rows of ancient buildings and the variety of designs lining their rooftops.