The official subdivisions of the yuan are the jiao (角), at 10 jiao to the yuan, and the fen (分) at 10 fen to the jiao. A coin worth ￥0.10 will thus say 壹角 (“1 jiao”), not “10 fen”, on it. But in colloquial Mandarin, nobody ever speaks of yuan; the standard term is kuai (块), and the jiao is also dubbed the mao (毛) instead. The fen remains the same, so a price like ￥3,75 would thus be read as “3 kuai 7 mao 5 fen” (although the trailing unit is often omitted).

When dealing with numbers, note that for example “wu bai san”, literally “five hundred three”, means 530 or “five hundred three tens”, with the trailing unit dropped. The number 503 would be read as “wu bai ling san”, literally “five hundred zero three”. Similarly “yi qian ba”, literally “one thousand eight”, means 1800. When using larger numbers, keep in mind that Chinese has a word for ten thousand, wàn (万), and thus for example 50000 becomes “wu wan”, not “wu shi qian”.

Chinese coins and billsA lot of Chinese currency will be in the form of bills — even small change. As a general rule, bills are preferred in the north and coins in the south. Even the jiao, at just one tenth of a yuan, exists as both a bill (the smallest) and two different coins. Conversely, one kuai exists both as a coin and as two different bills. You should be prepared to recognize and handle either version.

Counterfeiting is a major problem, especially of ￥50, and ￥100 bills. When you buy currency at a bank, ask the teller to check for counterfeit bills. Examine all bills you receive as change. Be suspicious when you get several bills with lower denominations on top. The following are indicators of a possible counterfeit bill: Sharp-edged watermark, No metal strip, Smooth paper, Flat smooth ink, Reflective number on bottom-left of a ￥50 or ￥100 bill is the wrong color, or the color of the reflective number doesn’t change when you tilt the bill. The following are indicators of a real bill: Blurry-edged watermark, Metal strip, Rough paper, Raised ink, Reflective number on bottom-left of a ￥50 or ￥100 bill is the correct color, and the color of the reflective number changes when you tilt the bill. Note that old style bills do not have a metal strip or the bottom-left reflective number. Counterfeits often have very (too) bright and luminous colours. It is not considered impolite to refuse bills and to ask to have them changed.

Avoid paying for taxi fares with large bills as the driver will need to give you change, and inside a dark taxi it’s hard to determine whether bills are real or fake. Try to break your hundreds at larger stores or restaurants so you do not have to accept a fifty (one of the most commonly counterfeited bills).

Cheat Sheet

10 fen (分) is 1 jiao (角)
10 jiao is 1 yuan (元), the base unit
yuan is commonly called kuai (块)
jiao is commonly called mao (毛)
10 is shí (十)
100 is bǎi (百)
1000 is qiān (千)
10000 is wàn (万)

A.The country is divided into provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government;

B.Provinces and autonomous regions are divided into autonomous prefectures, counties, autonomous counties and cities; and

C. Counties, autonomous counties and cities are divided into townships, ethnic minority townships, and towns.

At the moment, China is divided into 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities directly under the Central Government and 2 special administrative regions.

China’s Provinces, Autonomous Regions, Centrally-administered Municipalities and Special Administrative Regions:

Beijing Municipality

Tianjin Municipality

Hebei Province

Shanxi Province

Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Liaoning Province

Jilin Province

Heilongjiang Province

Shanghai Municipality

Jiangsu Province

Zhejiang Province

Anhui Province

Fujian Province

Jiangxi Province

Shandong Province

Henan Province

Hubei Province

Hunan Province

Guangdong Province

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Hainan Province

Chongqing Municipality

Sichuan Province

Guizhou Province

Yunnan Province

Tibet Autonomous Region

Shaanxi Province

Gansu Province

Qinghai Province

Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Macao Special Administrative Region

Taiwan Province

Tea as a drink prospered during the Tang Dynasty, and tea shops became popular. A major event of this time was the completion of Tea Classics, the cornerstone of Chinese tea culture, by Lu Yu, Tea Sage of China,. This little book details rules concerning various aspects of tea, such as growth areas for tea trees, wares and skills for processing tea, tea tasting, the history of Chinese tea and quotations from other records, comments on tea from various places, and notes on what occasions tea wares should be complete and when some wares could be omitted.

Tinted by the cultural style of the Song Dynasty, tea culture at this time was delicate and sumptuous. New skills created many different ways to enjoy tea. The Ming Dynasty laid the foundation for tea processing, tea types and drinking styles that we have inherited.

During the Qing Dynasty folk art entered tea shops, making them popular entertainment centers. This habit is still practiced in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

During the Tang Dynasty, a Japanese monk brought tea seeds from Zhejiang Province to Japan. Later in the Southern Song Dynasty, Zen masters brought tea procedures and tea wares from China to Japan, promoting the initiation of the Japanese tea ceremony. In the Song Dynasty, Arabic merchants exported tea from Quanzhou, Fujian Province. In the Ming Dynasty, tea was sold to Southeast Asian and South African countries. In 1610 tea went to Europe via Macau in a Dutch merchant ship. Thus tea became an international drink.

There are three basic categories of tea which differ according to the manner in which they are produced. Green, Oolong and Black teas each have their respective subcategories such as white, yellow, light or heavily fermented, or compressed. The diverse environmental conditions in which the plants are grown, the age and number of leaves used, and the final appearance of the leaves also contribute to creating the enormous variety of products on the market.

People with their family will gather in the show place to enjoy the beautiful lanterns displayed by individuals or the local municipal. Kids will carry their own lanterns to participate in the showcase. Usually there is competition for the most beautiful lantern.

This festival is also a Chinese Valentine’s day that youngsters celebrate the festivals with their lovers in such beautiful and romantic evening.

This is a festival for people having fun. On the night of the festival, people go on streets with a variety of lanterns under the full moon, watching lions or dragon dancing, playing Chinese riddles and games, and lighting up firecrackers. There is really a lot of fun for the young and the old. 

Besides entertainment and beautiful lanterns, another important part of the Lantern Festival,or Yuanxiao Festival is eating small dumpling balls made of glutinous rice flour. We call these balls Yuanxiao or Tangyuan. Obviously, they get the name from the festival itself. It is said that the custom of eating Yuanxiao originated during the Eastern Jin Dynasty in the fourth centuty, then became popular during the Tang and Song periods.

The fillings inside the dumplings or Yuansiao are either sweet or salty. Sweet fillings are made of sugar, Walnuts, sesame, osmanthus flowers, rose petals, sweetened tangerine peel, bean paste, or jujube paste. A single ingredient or any combination can be used as the filling . The salty variety is filled with minced meat, vegetables or a mixture.

The way to make Yuanxiao also varies between northern and southern China. The usual method followed in southern provinceds is to shape the dough of rice flour into balls, make a hole, insert the filling, then close the hole and smooth out the dumpling by rolling it between your hands.In North China,sweeet or nonmeat stuffing is the usual ingredient. The fillings are pressed into hardened cores, dipped lightly in water and rolled in a flat basket containing dry glutinous rice flour. A layer of the flour sticks to the filling, which is then again dipped in water and rolled a second time in the rice flour. And so it goes, like rolling a snowball, until the dumpling is the desired size.

The custom of eating Yuanxiao dumplings remains. This tradition encourages both old and new stores to promote their Yuanxiao products. They all try their best to improve the taste and quality of the dumplings to attract more customers.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has been described differently, such as, majestic, eccentric, tranquil, delicate and wild. The park features grotesque peaks, lucid brooks, abundant fauna and floras and hospitable climate. There are six main scenic spots and over 90 smaller ones in the park to date.

Main scenic spots:Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is endowed with many scenic spots, such as the Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshizhai), Yaozizhai, Yuanjiajie and the Golden Whip Stream.

Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshizhai)

Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshizhai), Yaozizhai is located west of the park. It is named after a story whereby Huang Shi saved Zhang Liang from misfortune when the latter isolated himself from society in this forest.

Occupying an area of 41 acres and 1,200 meters (0.8 miles) above sea level, this stronghold is the largest observing spot of the forest park. One cannot claim to have visited Zhangjiajie without visiting Yellow Stone Stronghold. The main scenic spots include Tranquil Trail in Fir Woods, Imperial Edict and the Precious Box, Needle Peak, the Southern Gate to Heaven, Five-Finger Peak and so on.

Golden Whip Stream

Sceneries along the Golden Whip Stream are most enchanting in the park. Named after the Golden Whip Rock that it flows by, this stream, 5.7 kilometers long (3.5 miles), joins the Lute stream in the west and Suoxi Stream in the east. A 300-meter (984 feet) walk from the gate of the park will lead you to the entrance of the Golden Whip Stream. Flanked by ridges and peaks, the crystal clear water makes it possible to observe every action of the fish in the water. Wild flowers are in abundance here.

On the way, girls from Tujia will present visitors traditional folk songs when requested. The main scenic spots here include: the Welcoming Guests Rock, Golden Whip Rock, Reunion Rock and the Purple Grass Pond.

Yuanjiajie

The northern part of the park is the essential tourist route. Yuanjiajie is a natural platform that faces giant rocks rising from deep valleys and surrounded by higher mountains. Unique in their shapes and covered with pine trees, these rocks resemble a vivid Chinese painting.

Main scenic spots include: Back Garden, breath taking Mihun Stage and the First Bridge under the Sun.

Climate:It belongs to the sub-tropical climate of Central Asia. Splendid mountains and luxuriant trees help form a favorable climate: warm in winter and cool in summer. The average temperature is 13C (55F), the highest 17C (62F ) while the lowest is 10C (50F) on average in winter. The charm of the park varies with the alternation of seasons; therefore, it attracts visitors all year round. Besides its pleasant climate, the environment and air quality also provide visitors a chance to breathe healthy air which is believed to be rich in negative oxygen. It is also believed that hypertension patient may have their blood pressure lowered if they stay in the park for a period of time. This is due to the fact that dust particles in the park are 88% lower and the air 10% mistier than outside.

Foliage:About 98% of the area is covered with vegetation. There are 720 species of the 102 families, including all the five most important floras, namely, the rose family, pulse family, grass family, composite family and orchid family. Some of these trees are rare and regarded as national treasure. For example, the Dove tree, known as living fossil, can be traced back as early as the Fourth Ice Age. The great variety of plants in the park takes up 82% of all the flora families in Hunan Province.

Animals :Zhangjiajie National Forest Park also boasts a variety of animals. Exuberant forests offer them ideal habitats to live in and procreate their own species. There are more than 149 kinds of chordate animals inhabitants in this park. Among them, 28 kinds are under national protection, amongst which, are the Golden Pheasant, Rhesus Monkey, Giant Salamander and Musk Deer. Visitors will be able to hear birds singing and see monkeys playing in the tree.

Ticket:
Zhangjiajie Forest Park: CNY 245
Huanglong Cave: CNY 80
Baofeng Lake: CNY 74

The Forbidden City situated exactly in the heart of the municipality was home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The construction of the grand palace started in the fourth year of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1406) and ended in 1420. In the ancient time, the emperor claimed to be the son of the heaven and therefore their supreme power was conferred upon them from the heaven. Their residence on the earth was built as a replica of the Purple Palace where the God lived in the Heaven. Such divine place was certain forbidden for the ordinary people and it is why the Forbidden City is so called.

The Forbidden City covers an area of about 72 hectares with a total floor space of approximately 150, 000 square meters. It consists of 90 palaces and courtyards, 980 buildings and 8,704 rooms. To represent the supreme power of the emperor from the God and the place where the he lived being the center of the world, all the gates, palace and other structures of the Forbidden City were arranged on both sides of the south-north central axis.

Nowadays, the Forbidden City, or the Palace Museum is open to tourists from home and abroad. Splendid painted decoration on these royal architectural wonders, the grand and deluxe halls, with their surprisingly magnificent treasures will certainly satisfy ‘modern civilians’.

In 1961 the Palace Museum was listed as one of the important historical monuments under the special preservation by the Chinese central government and in 1987, it was nominated as the world cultural heritage by the UNESCO.

Tickets: CNY 40 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)
CNY 60 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31))
Opening Hours: 08:30 to 16:20 (Oct. 16 to Apr.15)
08:30 to 17:00 (Apr. 16 to Oct. 15)
Bus Route :No. 124, 810, 812, 814, 846, 855 (Night Bus: No. 202 and 211)
No. 101, 103 and 109 (Trolleybus)
No.1, 4, 20, 52 (get off at East Tian’anmen Bus Stop)

China is a country with a large population and less arable land.

Since 1978 when China adopted the policy of reform in its rural areas, China’s agriculture has developed rapidly. In the past two decades or so, the Chinese countryside, under the premise of adhering to collective ownership, has taken the market economy as guidance to break away from the traditional system and to pursue a new mode for the realization of the collective economy under the market economy. Reform has brought benefits to the farmers, emancipated and developed the rural productive forces, and promoted the rapid development of agriculture, especially the production of grains, and the constant optimization of agricultural structure. As a result, Chinese agriculture has made remarkable achievements.

In the 1990s, though China’s agriculture and rural economic development were confronted with many unprecedented difficulties and challenges, these areas still maintained a fairly good momentum of development. In the five years from 1996 to 2000, the total increment of agriculture in the GDP came to 7,129.18 billion yuan. Calculated according to constant prices, the annual average growth rate stood at 3.5 percent, showing a stable growth tendency. The production of grain and other major agricultural products had bumper harvests for many years running. In 1998, the grain output came to 512.3 million tons, the highest figure in history. Between 1999 and 2001, although China suffered from a serious drought and the sown area was reduced, the total grain output was still higher than the average level from 1991 to 1995. In 2002, the sown area for grain crops decreased by 2.19 million ha as compared with that of the previous year, but the per-ha yield increased by 132 kg, and the nation’s total grain output reached 457.06 million tons.

In 2002, the amount of grain per capita was 357 kg; and the amount of meat (pork, beef and mutton), milk and aquatic products per capita reached 40.8 kg, 10.2 kg and 35.6 kg, respectively, exceeding the world’s average levels. Meanwhile, fundamental changes have taken place in the supply and demand of most agricultural products, showing a qualitative change from chronic shortage to a new stage of overall balance, with surpluses in bumper-harvest years.

Following China’s entry into the WTO in 2001, the Chinese government restructured its approach to agricultural development, investing with funds and materials in speeding up agricultural science and technology progress to improve the international competitiveness of China’s agricultural products.

It would be hard to find a more exciting city than Hong Kong. Set among beautiful natural surroundings it has all the benefits of a thriving and vibrant commercial center. Here you can find the delights of modern living alongside an abundance of reminders of its historic past. Whether you visit the better known highlights like the stunning Ocean Park, the fantastic viewpoint of Victoria Peak or the beautiful Repulse Bay , Hong Kong is certain to exceed your expectations.

Hong Kong is made up of four parts: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Hong Kong Island is the center of economy, politics, entertainment and shopping. Northern Hong Kong Island is the main commercial, shopping and entertainment area; the residential area is located in Eastern Hong Kong Island; and Southern Hong Kong Island known for its sea shores and bays. Kowloon is another flourishing part of Hong Kong. Above all, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai , Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok are the most popular areas. These areas are busy day and night, and tourists can feel secure enjoying the lively nightlife, because Hong Kong is one of the most secure cities in the world. The New Territories and Outlying Islands are ideal places to experience a peaceful and natural Hong Kong.

An open city with a wonderful natural harbor, Hong Kong is the meeting place of various cultures that blend harmoniously with Chinese traditions and exotic influences. On one hand traces of British culture can be found everywhere as a result of former colonial rule. On the other hand, Hong Kong preserves traditional customs and the core values of Confucianism that have faded in Mainland China. This is reflected in its colorful festivals ranging from Spring Festival to Christmas. Nowhere else on earth do luxury restaurants, street side food-stalls known locally as dai pai dong, grand mansions and penthouses, tenements, office blocks, wooden boats and huge liners coupled with English in a variety of accents and multifarious Chinese dialects coexist peacefully.

It is the dynamic Hong Kong that provides the environment in which the richest Chinese listed in Forbes directory do business. The city also is the backdrop for modern movies and pop music that together enjoy worldwide recognition. Home of Kongfu heroes like the late Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, Hong Kong continues to attract more and more ambitious would-be stars and entrepreneurs.

From Yum Cha (tea and dim sum) in the morning to a moon lit view from the top of Victoria Peak or stunning night time harbor cruise, mingling with shoppers in the numerous malls and markets around Tsim Sha Tsui , tasting delicacies at dai pai dong, taking a trip in a sampan or high speed ferry, Hong Kong will guarantee its visitors an unforgettable experience. There will always be something to enchant you and quite probably make you fall in love with this unique place, be it sightseeing, shopping, dining or simply exploring its many delights by day and night.

If there is no other reason why people from the world over are so interested in this island, the answer is likely to be ‘because it is there!’ Don’t wait any longer to explore this wonderland for yourself!

When to go

Weatherwise, October, November and most of December are the best months to visit Hong Kong; the skies are clear and the sun shines. The June to August heat/rain combo might push your endurance but there’s a lot of sunshine and, after all, it’s summer. Hotels tend to offer substantial discounts outside the high seasons of March-April and October-November. Travel can be difficult during Chinese New Year in late January/early February.

In Hebei, the history cultural resources is abound. There are some beautiful hills and waters. The places of interest are Chengde Summer Resort Manor, Waiba Temple, Qinhuangdao, Beidaihe, Laishui Yesanpo, Cangyan Mountain in Jingjing and so on. The traditional specialties are Zhangbei mushroom, Hebei pears, Xuanhua grapes, Shenzhou honey peaches, Tangshan pottery and Zhuzhou blankets.

With a history of 5,000 years, Hebei Province is one of the birthplaces of the nation of China, and has been the political, economic and cultural center of North China for ages. In the past several thousand years, the diligent people have created splendid culture and left rich tourist resources for the later generations. Chengde Mountain Resort and its surrounding temples, and the Great Wall were listed as the world cultural legacies by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Hebei Province consists of Central Hebei Plain, the Taihang Mountains with peaks rising one higher than another, the Yanshan Mountains and other weird mountains and ridges in various sizes, presenting an extraordinary landscape painting. Its national scenic spots and historical sites include Mountain Resort (Eight Outer Temples), Beidaihe, Yesanpo in Laishui, Mount Cangyan in Jingjing, and Zhangshi Rock in Zanhuang. Chengde Summer Resort, the Old Dragon Head and Beidaihe are among the nation’s 40 top scenic spots; and Mount Wuling in Xinglong, the Golden Seacoast in Changli, the Korean Pine Depression in Weichang are the national nature reserves. Chengde Summer Resort and the Great Wall are among the nations 10 top scenic spots and historical sites.

Hebei Province boasts unique local customs. Cangzhou Anguo is a land of martial arts, and Wuqiao, a land of acrobatics; Banding is famous for its body-building exercises: Anguo, for its traditional herbal medicines; Cangzhou is the land of Moslem; Zhuolu is noted for the cultures of the three ancestors of Yan Di, Huang Di and Chiyou; and Handan, for its dream, pottery and porcelain cultures.

Hebei is a gate of Beijing and Tianjin. With transport facilities, a beautiful environment, a pleasant climate, rich tourist resources and tourist facilities which are improving with each passing day, Hebei has become a bright diamond in tourism, and an ideal tourist place.

Hebei Province, with its beautiful Capital, Shijiazhuang, is located to the north of the Yellow River, and to the east of the Taihang Mountains. Hebei is somewhat overshadowed by its neighbors, Beijing and Tianjin, whose vastness covers an area of 190,000 square kilometers (about 73,363 square miles), and its vibrant population is estimated to be at 67,440,000. Hebei’s long and proud history can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC – 476 BC), which dates from 770 BC to 476 BC. At that time it was called “The Land of Yan and Zhao”, because its northern area was dominated by the Kingdom of Yan, while its southern area was occupied by the Kingdom of Zhao. Today, that same area is home to more than 50 minority ethnic groups, such as Han, Hui, Manchu, Mongolian and Korean.

The visitor to Hebei has the unequalled opportunity to view many relics that can be found in this beautiful province. The very famous Mountain Resort of Chengde used to be the largest royal summer resort of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Outside the surrounding wall of the Mountain Resort, the visitor will find a display of several brilliant and glistening temples. They are called “Eight Outer Temples” and are the largest imperial temples in all of China. The Mulan Paddock in Hebei Province was used as the hunting place for the emperors of the Qing Dynasty. At the present time, it is one of the few natural grassland resorts and a very popular destination for those visitors who are after a bit of fresh air and peaceful countryside. Shanhaiguan Pass, also called “The First Pass Under Heaven”, is the easternmost end of the Great Wall, which winds its way through the north of Hebei. All these beautiful highlights will make the tourist feel excited about the scenery, history and natural beauty which is in the Hebei Province.

In summer, tourists can enjoy the sunshine, beaches, and all the fresh air that blows in from the Bohai Gulf in the Beidaihe and Nandaihe Scenic Spots; In spring tourists can ride on the vast and magnificent grassland; In autumn, they can explore the fascinating Yesanpo Scenic Area in Baoding City. And in winter, another spectacular destination in Baoding City is the Baiyang Lake. The Baiyang Lake will be a very special attraction, because tourists can see very unique scenery of reeds and snows.

When to go

Hebei is also known for its moderate climate. The four seasons are felt and enjoyed. In spring it is arid and windy, hot and rainy in summer, balmy and fine in autumn and dry and cold in winter. The annual rainfall averages between 300 – 800 millimeters and its corresponding temperature ranges from 0C to 13C. So the best time to travel to Hebei is during autumn, when you can enjoy the clear and crisp climate.

People say that the real culture of Beijing is the ‘culture of the Hutong’ and the ‘culture of the courtyard’. How true that is. Often, it is Beijing’s winding Hutongs that attract tourists from home and abroad rather than the high-rise buildings and large mansions.

Hutong is a typical lane or small street in Beijing that originated during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). ‘Hutong’ is a Mongolian word, meaning ‘water well’. During that time, water well is the settlement around which people lived. There are tens of thousands of hutongs surrounding the Forbidden City. In the past, Beijing was composed of countless courtyards. Hutongs were formed when people left a passageway between two courtyards to make entering them more convenient.

As the symbol of Beijing City, a hutong has its own layout and structure, which makes it a wonder in the world. When taking a bird’s eye view of Beijing, you will find the combination of hutongs and courtyards just like an orderly chessboard with delicate gardens, fine rockeries, and ancient ruins. Hutongs have witnessed the development of Beijing. Where there is a hutong, there is a story.

Among the numerous hutongs in Beijing, Beixinqiao Hutong has the most turns. There are more than 20 in which you can easily get lost. The narrowest is Qianshi Hutong (Money Market Hutong), measuring about 30 to 40 meters (32 to 44 yards), located in ZhuBaoshi Street outside the Front Gate. The narrowest part is merely 40 centimeters (16 inches) wide, so when two people meet, they must turn sideways to pass each other. The longest one is Dongjiaomin Hutong, with a total length of 6.5 kilometers (4 miles), lying between Chang’an Avenue and East Street and West Street of the Front Gate. The shortest one is Guantong Hutong measuring about 30 meters (33 yards).

The names of these hutongs are all-embracing and various, such as Lumicang Hutong, Fuxue Hutong, and Gongyuan Hutong, which were named by official organizations. Hutongs named by craftsmen and ordinary people are ‘earthenware pot Liu Hutong (now Dashaguo Hutong, maybe there once lived a Mr. Liu who sold earthenware pots) WangZhima Hutong, and Mengduan Hutong. Hutongs named by their market trade include Xianyu Kou Hutong (Fish street), for it once was the place where fish was sold. Mules and Horses Hutong were named in this way because people once traded mules and horses there. Some Hutongs got their name by special marks, such as Stone Tiger Hutong, Iron Lion Hutong and Cypress Hutong.

The Courtyard, a traditional unique folk house in the hutongs, has a long history in Chinese architecture. It is called ‘Siheyuan’ in Chinese, ‘Si’ means ‘Four’, which here refers to the four sides: east, west, north and south. ‘He’ refers to the surrounding, meaning the four sides circle into a square. Due to its special layout, it is compared to a box with a garden in the center. There is only one gate leading to a hutong, so when the gate is closed the courtyard loses touch with the outside world. Therefore family members can fully enjoy tranquility and share the happiness of a peaceful family union.

Most of the existing courtyards are relics of the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing (1644 – 1911) Dynasties. They are the shadow of old China. The ancient furniture, fish pond, wooden doors and windows, and cane chairs remind you of their flourishing past. Those flashed bricks, Chinese eaves and cornices, fine brick designs, and wood carvings, reveal a strong classical tone of old Beijing. Hidden in the forest of armored concrete, it presents an aching beauty of decadence, waiting eagerly for you to explore its past. You cannot fully understand Beijing until you live in the courtyards.

Owners of the courtyards often grow flowers and trees in the garden to decorate their happy life. Generally speaking, they love planting date trees, locust trees and cloves. The pomegranate tree is also their favorite because it has many seeds. In Chinese, the pronunciations of ‘seed’ and ‘son’ are the same, and old people believe that the more sons, the more blessings. This is the reason why we can see many pomegranate trees growing in the courtyards. Living in this elegant and harmonious environment, they must enjoy a peaceful and blissful life!

The Hutongs and the Courtyards reflect the ritualistic and traditional ideas of China, and contain rich cultural connotations. They are the archetypes of the royal architecture. It’s a great pity that these traditional heritage sites are being replaced by high-rise buildings during the remodeling and new construction of the city. People from home and abroad are concerned that the historic and cultural value of Beijing will certainly be reduced if the Hutongs and Courtyards are destroyed and lost forever.