Politics and military affairs waned during the Song dynasty (960-1279), but crafts and trades, commerce, technology, and architecture thrived during this time. Structures built during this period weren't as large but became more delicate and decorated.

In some Song cities, streets began to be placed in rows with shops situated on either side. Transportation infrastructure was also enhanced. The North Song, capital of Bianliang (today's Kaifeng city in mid-Eastern China's Henan province) was perhaps the first commercialized city. During this period in China, large buildings were no longer constructed. Instead, the existing structures were renovated, expanded, refined and decorated. The main hall and the hanging girders in the Jinci of the capital of Taiyuan, in northern China's Shangxi province are an example of this.

Brick and stone structures continued to develop - mainly with Buddhist towers and bridges. Examples of this development can be found in the Lingyin Temple Tower in Zhejiang Hangzhou, the Fanta Tower in Henan Kaifeng city, and the Yongtong Bridge in Hebei Zhao Town.

Gardens, like Su Shunqin's Canglangting and Si Maguang's Duleyuan, also started to evolve during this time. They began to incorporate natural and artificial environmental elements like trees, water and rocks.
It was also during the Song dynasty that the Yingzao Fashi was written. It was a definitive book about architectural design and construction. The book demonstrates how engineering techniques and construction management had developed at that time.