Hongshan culture
What is recognised today as Chinese culture has its roots in the Neolithic period (10,000-2000 BC), covering the cultural sites of Yangshao, Longshan, and Liangzhu in central China. Sections of present-day north-east China also contain sites of the Neolithic Hongshan culture that manifested aspects of proto-Chinese culture. Native Chinese belief systems included naturalistic, animistic and hero worship. In general, open-air platforms ("tan", or altar) were used for worshipping naturalistic deities, such as the gods of wind and earth, whereas formal buildings ("miao", or temple) were for heroes and deceased ancestors.