Shikumen residences refer mainly to the two-story, brick-and-wood houses that have sloping roofs and dormer windows. Their outer walls are usually built from red bricks, and they have traditional Chinese gateways at the end of their lanes. Their gates consist of two black, lacquered door planks, each of which is placed on a wooden axis so they can open and close. The clanging sounds of the metal knockers, as people enter and leave through the gates, often linger in the ancient lanes. The door lintels are made from traditional carved stones, with black tiles, while their outer parts are decorated with Westernstyled carvings. These residences generallyhave protruding, second-floor balconies.
Shikumen, a product that combines construction and culture with both Western and Chinese architecture, has left its mark on China's modern architectural history.
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