D4四合院

The courtyards are shielded by gray brick walls, so people on the outside could not peek in. To reach the inner courtyard, you must go through the front gate on the southeast corner and around the screen wall.

这院子的结构分两层，外院和内院。

The outer courtyard is a place for receiving visitors. The "Chuihua" gate separates the two sections.

本来垂花这个地方它应该是两个柱子，结果在建筑上它已经不负重了，就把它给切断了，把它变成一个垂花。

Trees and flowers are planted in the courtyards, attracting many birds, it's a world in itself. The main rooms for the elders face south.

内宅在中间叫堂屋，议事的地点。卧室一般是在东侧，西房东房，儿孙们居住，内宅的三面房子都有游廊。

Three or four generations live together in the courtyard, and they all have their own rooms. This living arrangement is very convenient. "Liangjinyuan" is a residence with a front and a back yard. And "Sanjinyuan" is a residence with a front, a middle and a back yard. These quadrangle courtyards are the ideal home arrangement for old Beijing families.