Courtyards(Si He Yuan)

In north China, courtyards are the most popular housing buildings in traditional style. A courtyard is a rectangular compound with traditional one-story houses of gray tiles and bricks built on the four side of it. The most typical courtyard compounds are found in Pingyao.

Courtyard compounds can be large or small , depending on the social status and financial capabilities of their owners. A courtyard can be very small and crowded , a simple courtyards  occupied by several or even scores of families. A large , rich family with three or more generations "living under the same roof " may , however , own a mansion consisting several courtyard compounds standing side by side or one after another , often with a family garden.