This paper analyzes the factors influencing the contemporary architectural innovation. It puts forward that the model of standardization and mass production contribute to similar “international” architectural form, which results in the disappearing of the “national character” and“regional character” of Chinese architecture. However, simplified traditional expressions make contemporary architectural innovation too superficial, leading to a “trap” of imitation. It also pointes out that the combination of the methods of symbol and metaphor , technology and materials of modern architecture, a further exploration of traditional culture symbols, cultural energy stimulating is the power source of contemporary architectural innovation, and make a argumentation through success and failure cases.