Beijing Siheyuan

Beijing Siheyuan is a type of Siheyuan building located in Beijing, China. As Beijing is the birthplace of Siheyuan, Beijing-style Siheyuan is the most numerous and typical one among all variants. In addition, its distribution density is very high in Beijing, so when people mention Siheyuan, they usually refer to Beijing Siheyuan. Siheyuan has now become the most representative architectural feature of Beijing's traditional culture and folk customs, along with Hutong. Beijing has preserved many streets and buildings from the Yuan Dynasty, including the Siheyuan. Therefore, it can be said that the Siheyuan has accumulated the profound Beijing culture for hundreds of years. Looking down at Beijing from the air, you can see a square courtyard surrounded by gray-tiled houses. The lush green trees in the courtyard decorate the gray houses and provide shade for the people in the Siheyuan.

feature
Like the Siheyuan in other provinces, the basic structure of the Siheyuan in Beijing is a courtyard surrounded by houses on four sides, but it has its own characteristics in many details. Most of the Hutongs in Beijing are oriented east–west, so most of the Siheyuans are oriented north–south, which is particularly evident in the inner city of Beijing. The gate of the Siheyuan is usually opened in the southeast direction of the Siheyuan, not opposite the main house. If the Siheyuan is located on the south side of the Hutong (Hutong is usually oriented east–west), the south side of the courtyard does not face the street, and the gate cannot be opened, then the gate is opened on the west side of the north house.

The central courtyard of Beijing Siheyuan is very spacious and square, which is significantly different from that of Shanxi Siheyuan. The four groups of buildings surrounding the courtyard are independent of each other and are only connected by corridors, which is also a feature of Beijing Siheyuan. In addition, architectural details such as gatehouses, screen walls, and door piers also have strong Beijing characteristics. The gates of Siheyuan include Guangliang Gate, Jinzhu Gate, Manzi Gate, Ruyi Gate, etc., and most houses use clear water ridges.

quantity
There are no systematic statistics on the number of siheyuans in different periods of history. The "Qianlong Capital Map" of the Qing Dynasty recorded that there were more than 26,000 Siheyuans at that time. In the 1980s, statistics from the Beijing Ancient Architecture Research Institute showed that there were more than 6,000 siheyuans at that time, and more than 3,000 were well preserved. The "Beijing Siheyuan Chronicle" (2016) compiled by the Beijing Local Chronicles Compilation Committee Office included a total of 923 well-preserved siheyuans. The "Beijing Siheyuan Chronicle" also counted the number of siheyuans in Beijing's suburbs (Haidian, Mentougou, Fangshan, Yanqing, Shunyi, Miyun) for the first time, of which nearly 200 were well preserved.

history
The architectural specifications of Beijing Siheyuan were initially formed as early as the Liao Dynasty. In the Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan ordered that the residents of the old city who passed through the capital should be given priority, with those with high wealth (rich people) and those who served in the court being given priority. It was stipulated that eight mu of land was one share, which was distributed to wealthy merchants and officials who went to Dadu to build houses. This marked the beginning of the large-scale formation of traditional Siheyuan houses in Beijing. In the early 1970s, the Siheyuan ruins of the Yuan Dynasty unearthed in Houyingfang Hutong, Beijing, can be regarded as the prototype of the Siheyuan in Beijing. After being improved in the Ming and Qing dynasties, it gradually formed a unique architectural style in Beijing. Now, Siheyuan and Hutong are considered symbols of Beijing's urban culture.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially after the Cultural Revolution, as the original owners of the Siheyuan were overthrown and their homes were confiscated, and due to the housing pressure of that era, the Siheyuan was forcibly occupied or redistributed to multiple households. Since it was not suitable for multiple households, each family built a kitchen, storage room and other buildings in the yard, and the Siheyuan was reduced to a slum.

In addition to some courtyard houses that have become slums, some well-preserved courtyard houses are usually used as offices for companies and organizations, losing their significance as residences. Some have even been used as hotels, such as the Haoyuan Hotel in Shijia Hutong and the Youhao Hotel in Houyuanen Temple.

Since the courtyard houses no longer belong to a family and are not well maintained, many dilapidated houses have appeared in Beijing's old city. In addition to the dilapidated houses, there is also the outdated infrastructure in the old city and the housing pressure caused by population growth. Beijing has started the project of dilapidated house renovation (referred to as dilapidated renovation). The government has combined dilapidated renovation with housing renovation and introduced real estate developers for commercial development.In addition, projects such as increasing road density, widening roads, and adding green space are squeezing the living space of Siheyuan. Since then, siheyuan began to be demolished in large numbers, such as the demolition of Kang Youwei's Yuedong New Hall in 1998, the demolition of Zhao Zichen's former residence in 2000, the demolition of the Qing Dynasty Guojunwang Mansion at No. 45 Mengduan Hutong in 2004, the demolition of Cao Xueqin's former residence in 2005, and the demolition of Tang Shaoyi's former residence in 2006. At the same time, some siheyuans were listed as protected courtyards in Beijing and at the district and county levels, but even the preserved siheyuans are surrounded by high-rise buildings on all sides, becoming isolated islands in the modern city.

With the development of the protection of the old city, some of the original courtyard houses have been renovated. For example, in 1990, Professor Wu Liangyong of Tsinghua University presided over the renovation project of the courtyard house in Juer Hutong, Beijing. Based on retaining the courtyard structure, the bungalows of the original courtyard house were converted into buildings, and kitchens, toilets, and other facilities were added.This renovation project won the United Nations World Habitat Award. In the renovation of the dangerous buildings in Nanchizi, Beijing, some courtyard houses were also converted into two-story buildings, and underground garages were built. In 2006, Beijing announced the "Architectural Elements Map of Beijing Courtyards" as a reference for the protection, repair, reconstruction, and renovation of courtyard houses.

Famous Examples
Visiting Beijing's Hutongs and Siheyuans has become one of the unique contents of Beijing tourism. However, most Siheyuans are residential houses and cannot be visited. Some open celebrity residences have become the main way to understand Siheyuans.

Famous
The reason why Beijing's Siheyuan is famous is that its structure is unique and typical of traditional Chinese residential architecture. Most Chinese residential buildings are inner courtyard houses. The residential courtyards in the southern region are very small, and the houses on all sides are connected, which is called "a seal". This type of residence is suitable for the climatic conditions in the south, and the ventilation and lighting are ideal. The Siheyuan in Beijing has a spacious and airy courtyard, and the houses on all four sides are independent and connected by corridors. It is very convenient for living, pleasing to the eye, and very suitable for activities.

cultural connotation
Although Beijing Siheyuan is a residential building, it contains profound cultural connotations and is the carrier of Chinese traditional culture.

Its construction is very particular about Feng Shui. From site selection,and positioning to determining the specific scale of each building, it must be carried out according to Feng Shui theory. Beijing Siheyuan is famous all over the world. In old Beijing, in addition to the Forbidden City, royal gardens, temples and altars, and royal palaces, a large number of buildings were the countless houses of the people.

"Rixia Jiuwen Kao" quoted a poem by a Yuan Dynasty poet: "The clouds open the gates of the city for three thousand feet, and the fog darkens the towers and pavilions of millions of houses." The houses of these "millions of families" are what we now call Beijing Siheyuan.

Architectural features
Beijing's regular courtyards are generally located in the east–west alleys and face south. The main gate is located in the southeast corner of the courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard is a spacious courtyard with trees and flowers planted in it, and goldfish are kept in a tank. It is the center of the courtyard layout and a place for people to walk, light, ventilate, cool off, rest, and do housework.

Medium-sized and small courtyards are generally the residences of ordinary residents, while large courtyards are used as mansions and government offices.

The carved patterns of the courtyards are mainly various auspicious patterns, such as "Fu Shou Shuang Quan" composed of bats and longevity characters, "Four Seasons of Peace" with vases containing roses, "Descendants for Generations", "Three Friends of Winter", "Yu Tang Fugui", "Fu Lu Shou Xi", etc., showing the old Beijingers' yearning for a better life.

The courtyards are generally occupied by one household, but there are also cases where multiple households live in the same courtyard, mostly poor families, called "Da Za Yuan". The warmth of the Da Za Yuan is unforgettable for many old Beijing residents.

The decoration, carvings, and paintings of the courtyard house reflect folk customs and traditional culture,and show people's pursuit of happiness, beauty, wealth, and auspiciousness under certain historical conditions.

Former Residences of Celebrities
Ji Xiaolan's former residence is located at No. 241, Zhushikou West Street, Xicheng District.

Chongli's former residence is located at No. 63, No. 65, Dongsiliutiao, Dongcheng District

Wanrong's former residence is located at No. 35, No. 37, Maoer Hutong, Dongcheng District.

Mao Dun's former residence is located at No. 13, Houyuanen Temple Hutong, Jiaodaokou.

Lu Xun's former residence is located in the courtyard of Lu Xun Memorial Hall, No. 21, Fuchengmen nei Xisan Tiao.

Lao She's former residence is located at No. 19, Fuqiang Hutong, Dengshikou West Street, Dongcheng District.

Chen Duxiu's former residence is located at No. 20, Jiangan Hutong, Beichizi Street, Dongcheng District

Guo Moruo's former residence is located at Qianhai West Street, Shichahai.

Mei Lanfang's former residence is located at No. 9, Huguosi Street, Xicheng District

Kuijun's former residence is located at No. 15, Shajing Hutong, Dongcheng District

Zhang Tingge's former residence is located at No. 87, Xijiaominxiang, Xicheng District

Courtyard Hotel
Zhuyuan Hotel

Lvsongyuan Hotel

Beijing Yanweizhuang Siheyuan Hotel

Haoyuan Hotel

Central Hall Guest House

other
In addition, there are a number of courtyard houses listed as cultural relics protection units:

Siheyuan No. 112 Beixinhua Street

Siheyuan No. 23, Liutiao, Xisi North Street, Xicheng District

Siheyuan No. 11, Xisi North 3rd Street, Xicheng District

Siheyuan No. 19, Xisi North 3rd Street, Xicheng District

Siheyuan No. 15, Qiangongyong Hutong, Xicheng District

Siheyuan No. 129, Lishi Hutong, Dongcheng District

Siheyuan No. 11, Neiwubu Street, Dongcheng District

Siheyuan No. 7, Houyuanen Temple Hutong, Dongcheng District

Siheyuan No. 2, Guoxiang Hutong, Dongcheng District

Siheyuan No. 13, 15, Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng District

Dongcheng Siheyuan No. 36 Qufuxue Hutong (including No. 136 Jiaodaokou South Street)

Siheyuan No. 24 Xinkailu Road, Dongcheng District

Siheyuan No. 25-37 Xitangzi Hutong

Siheyuan No. 5 Maoer Hutong

Siheyuan No. 11 Maoer Hutong

Siheyuan No. 25 Meishuguan East Street

Siheyuan No. 15 Dongmianhua Hutong and archway brick carvings

Siheyuan No. 7 and No. 9 Qian Gulouyuan Hutong

Siheyuan No. 255 Gulou East Street

Siheyuan No. 13 Heizhima Hutong

Siheyuan No. 7 Qianyongkang Hutong

etc.