Residential construction in different parts of China is also called civilian residential housing - a basic type of architecture. This type of housing covers a wide area and has a long history. Since China is a country of diverse, natural environments and cultural activities, civilian residential housing features diverse styles.
The main type of traditional civilian residential housing in Han regions is the neatly distributed dwelling typified by Beijing quadrangles. They feature a symmetrical layout around the central line. Beijing quadrangles are divided into the front yard and the back yard. The principal room at the center is the most important area. This is where family rituals take place and distinguished guest are welcomed. The buildings all face the courtyard, each connected by verandas. Beijing quadrangles embody a patriarchal clan concept and encourage the ancient Chinese family system. The courtyards provide ideal outdoor living space with spacious gardens, flowers, trees and a peaceful atmosphere.
Main Wing of a Courtyard House and Earth Mansion
Residences in South China are usually more compact and are dominated by multi-story buildings. A typical construction features a main wing of a courtyard house centered around a small rectangular courtyard. These homes appear square, upright and simple. They are quite popular in southern provinces.
Hakka people in Minnan (Southern parts of Fujian Province), Yuebei (Northern parts of Guangdong Province) and Guibei (Northern parts of Guangxi Province) live in large-scale group residences. The standard type of residence is a combination of round and rectangular construction. This type of hall is highly defensive and is composed of a one-storey hall at the center surrounded by four or five-storey buildings. The Hakka earth mansions in Fujian's Yongding county are a good example of this style. There are over eight thousand earth mansions in Yongding. They include rectangular, round, octagon and oval shapes. These huge earth mansions are beautiful and practical. They have many distinct features that would make a marvellous living environment.
Residence of Minority Groups
Minority groups in China have many diverse homes. The residence of the Uygur in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is flat-roofed, usually one to three stories high with earth walls and surrounding courtyards. The typical Tibetan civilian residence in Tibet Autonomous Region is called a Diaofang. It is a flat-roofed, brick-walled building with a wooden interior. Inner Mongolians live in Mongolian Yurts that could be moved around as they migrate. Nationalities in Southeast China build wooden railing mansions by the side of rivers and mountains. The ground floor is left empty, while people live upstairs. Dai people's bamboo stilt houses in Yunnan Province are quite unique. The Miao and Tujia people's Diaojiaolou, houses have rear parts that are also supported on poles over water. These houses are usually built on slopes with only support poles and no foundations. The houses are two or three stories high. The roof of the top floor is often low and is meant only for food storage. The ground floor is for storage and domestic animals.
Cave Dwelling of Northern China and Civilian Residence Housing in Ancient Cities
Cave dwellings are the dominant residence along the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River. In such loess land areas as Shaanxi, Gansu, Henan and Shanxi, residents dig caves in the earth, connect several caves and reinforce the walls with bricks. The cave dwellings are fireproof, noise proof, warm in winter, cool in summer and use space economically. It is a harmonious combination of natural scenery and human activities. Cave dwellings are built in accordance with local conditions, signifying local people's love for their homeland.
China is also home to a number of well-preserved ancient cities that feature plenty of civilian residence housing from ancient times. In 1998, Pingyao of Shanxi and Lijiang of Yunnan were included on the World Heritage List.
Pingyao is by far the best-preserved city in China dating back to the Ming-Qing Dynasties. It is also a typical model of the Han people's ancient cities in the Central Plains (the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River). The city walls, streets, civilian residence housing, stores and temples remain intact and the architectural style is well preserved. Pingyao is a living example of the history of China's politics, economy, culture, military, architecture and art.
Lijiang, built in the Nan Song Dynasty (1127-1279AD), is the only city that combines the traditional style of the architecture of the Naxi people with outside features. The ancient city is immune to the influences of the conventional construction styles of the Central Plains. The roads curve and stretch asymmetrically, with no city walls. The main source of water in the city is Heilong pond which branches into the city and surrounds the houses, forming a water network. The city is studded with babbling brooks and swaying willows.
