Beijing is one of the world's most famous capitals. Located on a plain but surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges, the city has an architectural history of nearly 3,000 years, 850 years of which have been spent as the capital city of China. The old city of Beijing, like most pre-modern cities, was once encircled by high walls. The imperial city within was crisscrossed by a myriad of hutong (alleys) andjiedao (streets) arranged parallel and perpendicular to a south-north central axis, a network structure which in essence survives to this day.

PREFACE

SIHEYUAN--A UNIQUE

INSIGHT INTO CHINESE

CULTURE

Finding Siheyuan Hotels

The Lusongyuan Hotel: Once a Prince's

Residence

The Shengyuan and Zhuyuan Hotel

The Haoyuan Hotel in Shijia Hutong

From a Grand Academician's Residence to the

Sihe Hotel

The Jinya Hotel--A Hotel with Famous

Neighbours

Finding the Princess in the Hejingfu Hotel

Seek Rest and Refuge in a Beijing Siheyuan

Settling Down in Beijing's Old

Siheyuan

Foreign Celebrities who have Settled Down in

Siheyuan

The Happy Life of Foreigners in Siheyuan

Living in a Family Hotel and Getting a Taste of

Siheyuan Life

Experiencing Different Siheyuan

Siheyuan--A Feast for Eyes

and Tastebuds

The Flavour of the Duke Mansions

A Flavor of the Former Residences of Princes

The Unforgettable Flavour of Hutong Culture

THE CLASSICAL HUTONGS

AND FAMOUS RESIDENCES

OF BEIJING

The Charm of Shichahai Sea

Exploring the Historic Sites near Shichahai Sea

From Yinding Bridge to Baimixiejie Street

Mansions of Dukes and Princes and a Galaxy of

Celebrities

Final Thoughts on Shichahai Sea

Finding Traces of the Yuan

Dynasty in Nanluogu Hutong

The Design and Layout of Hutongs during the

Yuan Dynasty

Calling at Famous Siheyuans

An Elaborate Example of Hutong Artistry

 ——the Dongsi Sitiao Hutong

The Fascination of Xisi

The Brick Pagoda in Zhuanta Hutong

Bei Ertiao Hutong, Xisi (the Second North

Hutong of Xisi)

Bei Santiao Hutong, Xisi (the Third North

Hutong of Xisi)

Bei Sitiao Hutong, Xisi (the Fourth North

Hutong of Xisi)

Bei Wutiao Hutong, Xisi (the Fifth North

Hutong of Xisi)

Bei Liutiao Hutong, Xisi (the Sixth North

Hutong of Xisi)

Bei Qitiao Hutong, Xisi (the Seventh North

Hutong of Xisi)

Bei Batiao Hutong, Xisi (the Eighth North

Hutong of Xisi)

"An International City"

 ——Dongjiao Min Xiang

The Former Site of the UK Embassy

The Former Site of the French Embassy

The Former Site of the Italian Embassy

The Former Site of the United States Embassy

The Former Site of the Japanese Legation

The Former Site of the Belgian Embassy

The Former Site of the Embassy of Holland

The Former Site of the Austrian Legation

Xijiao Min Xiang: A Financial

Street in Olden Times

The Magnificent Continental Bank

Jincheng Bank--"Dancing Skillfully with

Long Sleeves"

GENERAL INFORMATION

ABOUT BEIJING'S SIHEYUAN

The Door Building

The Court Door

Threshold

Street Gate Styles

Horse-Mounting Stone

The Screen Wall

The Screen Door

The Opposite Room

Chuihuamen (floral-pendant gate)

Covered Corridor

The Rooms of Halls

Main Room

Wing-rooms

Ear Rooms (smaller rooms on both sides of the

main room)

Houzhao Room (the low rooms behind the main

room)