From the heavenly peaks of the Five Sacred Mountains to the exotic shores of the Yangtze River, Chin'as majestic mountainscapes, scenic lakeshores and riverbanks, cliffs and caves are home to some of the world's most moving and breathtaking sacred architecture. China's Sacred Sites reveals how Chinese mountainscape culture merges architecture and nature, embodying the philosophical ideal of heaven, earth and man as one. Co-authros Nan Shunxun and Beverly Foit-Albert break new ground documenting more than 50 ancient, architectural and environmental sites--temples, monasteries, pagodas and pavilions, bridges and covered walkways, caves, cliffside and lakeshore dwellings--throughout Southern, Central and Northern China, many of which are being introduced outside China for the first time. Richly illustrated with over 250 color photographs and 100 architectural drawings, this unique book captures the mystery and heritage of China's past, revealing the historical roots of basic Chinese concepts of fengshui, yin and yang, and chi.