Civil Residences in Deep Alleys

China is a country of vast territory and many ethnic groups with distinctive local customs, so it boasts a rich range of folk architectural styles. Here, we will discuss five architectural styles: the siheyuan, or courtyard in Beijing, the ancient town of Lijiang in Yunnan, the folk residences in the mountains of Anhui Province, the ancient town of Xitang south of the lower Yangtze River, and the earthen buildings in Yongding, Fujian Province. Each has its own unique characteristics, and together they well reflect the Chinese styles of civil residences.