Architectural megaprojects of emperor Qin Shi Huang

The paper examines the historical and cultural aspects of the creation and preservation of three of Qin Shi Huang’s major construction projects. The Great Wall of China, the Epandong Palace Complex and the Terracotta Army were intended to serve as protective structures and residences for the emperor both during his lifetime and after his death. These examples of cultural heritage differ in their underlying concept, theme and style, yet their unifying feature is their originality, as well as the preservation of the memory of the Great Emperor. The purpose of this study is to examine the historical and architectural significance of sites from China’s Qin Dynasty. It is based on the authors’ observations and their assessment of the state of preservation of the objects under study. UNESCO experts have officially recognised the value, originality and complexity of the structures characteristic of these major architectural projects. The Emperor’s initiatives continue to shape Chinese ideology even today. The well-being of the country’s inhabitants is largely determined by the characteristics of an environment in which a dynamically developing urban landscape coexists with unique architectural and cultural monuments.