There are not many overhanging eaves. An additional parapet wall is laid up on the eaves, its style being identical with the short eaves on the lower floor. The protruding golden dharmacakra (wheel of the law) in the center of the parapet wall, dual deer and chin-chuang retain many Tibetan styles. The brick blank walls on both sides of the portico are stuck with peacock blue glazed wall tiles. Tile eaves are used to divide the wall into three sections, the lower section simple, the upper complicated. (Fig.8-4)

The roof of the big scripture hall does not use Tibetan-style flat-top; instead, three Han-style Chinese-hip-and gable roofs are strung together from the front to the back, covered by yellow glazed tiles. Together with the bright-colored portico, they present a warm and strong atmosphere, illuminating people with bright colors.

 Chengde monasteries

From the Ming Dynasty to theKangxiandQianlongperiod of theQing Dynastymarked the third climax of the development of Chinese architectural art history. One of the achievements of the Qing Dynasty was that many large-scale Lamaist structures were built in interior areas. The Chengde monasteries near the Chengde Summer Villa is the most important work.

Chengde monasteries are located on the east and north sides of the Summer Villa. Actually, there are 12 monasteries, which started construction from the 52nd year (1713) of Emperor Shengzu and took 70 years to complete. Eight remain well-preserved. Puning Monastery, Pule Monastery, Putuo Zongcheng Temple and the Sumerian Fushou Temple are the greatest and most important ones, all being of the Tibetan/Han mixed style. Comparatively speaking, Puning andPule temples contain more components of the Han style, while the Putuo Zongcheng and Sumerian Fushou have distinct Tibetan features.

Puning Monastery was built in the 20th year (1775) of Emperor Gaozong. A clear axial line runs through the north and south. The front part is a typical north China Han-styleBuddhist temple, belonging to a palatial structure and consisting of screen wall, archgates, temple door, stone-tabletpavilion, bell and drum towers, Heavenly King Palace, east and west wing halls and Mahavira (Hall of the Great Hero). The terrain at the back is steep with an elevation of nearly 1O meters. On the tableland is the main structure, the Mahayana tower with more Tibetan architectural features.