How much does a siheyuan cost?

For siheyuans near the Houhai and Shichahai area, the prices can go up to between 100,000 and 150,000 yuan per square meter.

Why do Chinese houses have courtyards?

The courtyards promote social contact and exercise, as well as space for quiet contemplation. This interior-landscape connection is important to the well-being of older women. The hall serves as a social connector. It’s a place for communal activities, connecting with family or friends, creative projects or listening.

What is a Chinese siheyuan?

Siheyuan, literally meaning quadrangle in Chinese, refers to a common traditional Chinese compound. Such compounds have a history of over 2,000 years; they date back in embryonic form to the Western Zhou Period (1045–770 BC).

What are siheyuan made of?

The design and construction of Siheyuan are quiet easy. The material is also very simple, instead of steel and concrete, it is made of tiles and wood. The overall tone is gray, giving people a simple and comfortable feeling.

What kind of homes are in China?

There are two main types of housing in Chinese cities: traditional, extended-family houses and large apartment buildings.

What are Chinese Windows called?

The sash window is installed between the upper and lower sills. It has both the function of a window and a door. Therefore, it is also called a “floor-to-floor window”. Ancient Chinese buildings are mainly made of beams and columns, and the walls are generally not load-bearing.

In what way does siheyuan reflect Chinese culture?

Undoubtedly, Siheyuan is a mirror of Chinese culture, reflecting the sense of belongs in the mind of Chinese people. The big gate is painted in red, because red symbolizes luck and happiness. During the traditional festivals, gatepost couplet is put on the gate.

Is the Forbidden City a siheyuan?

Simply put, the Forbidden City – residence of China’s emperors – can be considered as China’s largest siheyuan complex. Typically, one siheyuan consists of at least one courtyard squarely enclosed by single-storey buildings on all four sides.

How many people can live in a siheyuan?

The courtyard provides light, air and landscape, and also serves as a space for family activities when weather permits. A traditional Chinese siheyuan usually accommodates three or four generations of large families [6,8,9].

What is a hutong in China?

A hutong is a lane or alley formed by traditional courtyard compounds lining both sides. These hutongs range from little alleys 40 centimeters wide to streets 10 meters wide. The compounds that line the lanes and alleys are called “siheyuan” (四合院 sìhéyuàn /srr-her-ywhen/).

Why do Chinese houses face south?

Houses built today are also built facing south, if space allows. The importance of orientation developed into the practice of feng-shui which literally means “wind and water” but is often translated as geomancy. Click here to learn more about feng-shui (geomancy).

Are siheyuan houses still used today?

Today, remaining siheyuan are often still used as subdivided housing complexes, although many lack modern amenities. Siheyuan refers to a courtyard surrounded by buildings on all four sides. It also appears in English translation as courtyard houses and, less often, as Chinese quadrangles .

What are the traditional courtyards of Beijing?

Beijing’s traditional courtyards (siheyuan) still house many of the city’s residents within the second ring road, which marks the limits of old Beijing. Siheyuan line the small lanes, or hutongs, that make up most of the central part of the city.

Where is the gate to the courtyard of a siheyuan?

The gate to the courtyard is usually at the southeastern corner. Normally, there is a screen-wall inside the gate so that outsiders cannot see directly into the courtyard and to protect the house from evil spirits. Outside the gate of some large siheyuan, it is common to find a pair of stone lions.

What are the preserved siheyuan of Beijing?

The preserved Siheyuan of Beijing mainly scatter in the Hutongs around Shichahai. Other places in China like Shaanxi Province and Shanxi Province also have Siheyuan, which have something common in size, material and style with Old Beijing Courtyard. All these are essential architectural relics of China.