Siheyuan

 

While not a part of the city fortification system, the siheyuans, traditional Beijing family “quadrangles” that were located on the outskirts of the city walls, greatly imitated its layout. These classic Chinese vernacular architectures were homes to many extended families before they were taken away as state properties by the Socialist government  in the 1950s (3). They were rectangular in shape and were surrounded by brick walls on each side. Siheyuans contained many pavilions with each having a different purpose. They were never more than one story high, and did not have basements (1).

 

These structures were the microcosm version of the Imperial City, and can provide insight on the relationship between the living styles of ordinary citizens and the imperial family. The enclosed space by both of the structures not only emphasized values of privacy and protection, but also of connectedness within family members that lived in the same complex (7).

 

Today, siheyuans no longer have extended families living in them, similar to how the city walls no longer serve their original purpose. The quadrangles that remain intact are now transformed into tourist attractions or homes for migrant families (7). However, most have been replaced by tall residential and office buildings in the last few decades. The traditional ideals that siheyuans bring seem to also fade away with their disappearance.

 

Let’s go back to learning more about the evolution of Beijing’s walls…