China has one of the most ancient civilisations in the world, occupying a vast territorial expanse. This has led to great diversification in Chinese vernacular dwellings, rarely seen in the architecture of the world and reflecting a wide variety of different natural and cultural environments. In this illustrated introduction Shan Deqi explores a representative selection of traditional Chinese dwellings, considering their architecture, environmental setting and the lifestyles and customs of the people who inhabit these distinctive homes and have contributed to their development.