Beijing's Hutongs and Siheyuans

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Beijing's Hutongs and Courtyards

For those who want to experience the local customs, as well as the history and culture, of Beijing, a visit to the HuTongs (alleys) and SiHeYuans (courtyards) is an indispensible part of a visit to Beijing.

The HuTong

A hutong is an ancient city alley or lane, typical in Beijing, where hutongs run into the several thousand. Surrounding the Forbidden City, many were built during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. In those times, the emperors planned the city and arranged the residential areas according to systems of etiquette. The center of the city of Beijing was the royal palace - the Forbidden City.

The word 'hutong' came from the Mongolian language about 700 years ago. It originates from the word 'hottog' in Mongolian meaning 'water well'. Where there was a spring or well, there were residents. The word 'hottog' became 'hutong' after it was introduced into Beijing.

Hutongs are the passages formed by lines of siheyuans (courtyards). One hutong connects with another, and siheyuan connects with siheyuan, to form a block, and blocks join with blocks to form a neighbourhood.

In ancient China, there was a clear definition for a street or lane. A 36 m wide road was called a big street (DaJie). An 18 m wide one was called a small street (Lu). A 9 m wide lane (or smaller) was called a hutong.

The shortest hutong is just 10 m long, and the narrowest hutong is only about 40 cm wide. Some hutong have more than 20 turns. Most of the hutongs in Beijing are in east-west or south-north directions. That resulted from the need for houses to face south so as to take in more sunshine.

In the rich and historical culture of Beijing, the hutong has a very special and important position. It is not only a kind of architecture, but also serves as a window into Beijing folk life and an embodiment of the history and culture of Beijing.

The SiHeYuan

A standard siheyuan consists of houses on all four sides. The house that stands at the north end facing south is called the 'main house or 'north house'. The ones on each side are called the 'side houses', and the one which stands at the south end facing north is called the 'opposite house' or 'south house'.

The siheyuan's entrance gate is usually at the southeastern corner, in accordance with the traditional concepts of the 5 elements that were believed to compose the universe, and the 8 diagrams of divination.

Normally there is a screen wall inside the gate so that outsiders cannot see directly into the courtyard; it is also believed to protect the house from evil spirits. Outside the gate of larger siheyuan, there is a pair of stone lions, one 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 rings.

The courtyard often contains a pomegranate or other type of tree, as well as potted plants.

Usually a whole family lives in the compound. The elder generation lives in the main house, the younger generation live in the side houses, and the south house is usually the sitting room or study.

From their size and style, one can tell whether a siheyuan belongs to ordinary folk or the powerful and rich. The simple house of an ordinary person has only one courtyard with the main building on the north facing, across the court.

The mansion of a titled or rich family would have two or more courtyards, one behind another, with the main building separated from the view of the southern building by a wall with a fancy gate or by a GuoTing (walk-through pavilion). Behind the main building there would be a lesser house in the rear and, connected with the main quadrangle, small 'corner courtyards'.

Not only residences, but also ancient palaces, government offices, temples and monasteries were built basically on the pattern of the siheyuan, a common feature of traditional Chinese architecture.

Once ubiquitous in Beijing, siheyuans and hutongs are now rapidly disappearing, as entire city blocks of hutongs are leveled and replaced with high-rise modern buildings. Residents of the hutongs are entitled to apartments in the new buildings, of at least the same size as their former residences. Many complain, however, that the traditional sense of community and street life of the hutongs cannot be replaced. However, some particularly historic or picturesque hutongs are being preserved and restored by the government.