Another area of traditional courtyard homes were put on Beijing municipal government's protection list Tuesday, as part of the capital's efforts to preserve the centuries-old Chinese architecture.

Vice Mayor of Beijing Zhang Mao nailed a blue label saying "Protect the courtyard" to the doorframe of the ninth courtyard of Gongtiejiang Hutong and "No.0085, Xicheng District." The labels were given to 339 courtyards, bringing the total number under protection to 539.

The courtyards, popularly known as "siheyuan" or four-sided enclosed yards, are home to many Beijing residents. It is a compound with rooms around a square courtyard. With typical classical roofs, decorated corridors and old pomegranate trees, they often impress visitors with their grace, tranquility and elegance and are regarded as an important part of traditional Beijing culture.

However, most existing "siheyuan" were built in the early 1900s. The rising population and lack of maintenance funding makes them uncomfortable.

Since March 2002, the municipal government has been carrying out large-scale research on the traditional courtyards in the inner city. They investigated over 1,000 "siheyuan" and made a protection list. The first group of 200 were given protection labels in July 2003.

"This is a major step in saving Beijing's ancient appearance and traditional culture," said Zhang.

The capital's authorities are adjusting policies and making regulations to legalize "siheyuan" protection. Regulations are to be strengthened on height, style and color of buildings in the inner city to maintain Beijing's overall ancient appearance.
 

(People's Daily September 24, 2003)