Courtyard Houses
In the old downtown area of Beijing, the traditional courtyard houses are quite impressive for the unique charm of the northern Chinese folk residence. The architectural ornaments of the courtyard houses are of distinctive features, with some brick carvings or wood carvings dotted on the prominent places such as the screen walls and the lateral walls of the door. The porch, flowers-hung gate (chuihua gate, the second gate which separates the outer court and the inner court), drum-shaped bearing stone, as well as doors and windows with wooden partition are also the key points for ornamentation. All these carving decorations and colored drawings are the embodiment of folk customs and traditional culture, which reflect common people's pursuit for happiness,wealth and auspiciousness.North China's courtyard houses are outstanding representatives of traditional residences of China's Han people. Courtyard houses of Beijing, at the highest level and most typical specimen of its kind, boast a long history. According historical discovery analyses, the traditional architecture appeared more than 2,000 years ago.The gate of courtyard houses is usually at the southeastern corner according to the traditional concepts of the five elements that were believed to compose the universe, and the eight diagrams of divination. Normally there is a screen-wall inside the gate so that outsiders cannot see directly into the courtyard and it is also believed to protect the houses from evil spirits. Outside the gate of some large courtyard houses, there is a pair of stone lions on each side. Such a residence offers space, comfort and quiet privacy. It is also good for security as well as protection against dust and storms. The gates are usually painted vermilion and have large copper door