Beijing's siheyuan ( a closed quadrangle ) are some of the most characteristic residences in China. Many siheyuan have an internal and external screen wall, forming a transitional space, which is either linked or separated from the streets outside. The first courtyard is right inside the gate behind the internal screen wall if there is one. In the courtyard, the house facing north is called nanfang and is used as an outer drawing room. The second courtyard is inside the second gate on the central axis and is the main courtyard. The house facing south in this courtyard is called zhengfang(principal room) and is the highest and best equipped among the all houses in the siheyuan and used as a living room for the patriarch to receive guests and hold ceremonies.
This house is generally comprised of three rooms, with one or two comparatively low and small rooms on each side, which are usually used as bedrooms. The east and west rooms on the right and left in front of the principal room, called xiangfang ( wing room ), are for younger generations to live in or are used as a dining room or study. These rooms are connected by corridors. A passageway beside the cast side room leads to the backyard, the third courtyard. The row of rooms here is called houzaofang, for senior women to live or for storing goods.
The size of a siheyuan used to reflect a family's assets and status. But now the siheyuan is mostly used as an example of Beijing's traditional culture. Young Beijing residents prefer to live in newly-built residential areas because they think that life there is more convenient. But many of the old siheyuan left have been repaired and supplied with running water, heating and gas.
Walking in peaceful and secluded lanes, where Beijing dialect and Beijing opera can be heard anytime, tradition and history have suddenly turned into reality, reminding people of former times. But it only takes one step to go between a lane and street, where neon lights, billboards and rhythmic pop music drag people back to reality.
>>>>>>back to Beijing: Leaving the Imperial mall and Siheyuan<<<<<
