Some insight into the Courtyard (Siheyuan)
The composition of the courtyard was the base model for residential buildings, palaces, temples,monasteries, family businesses and Government offices. This urban model dates back to the first part of the Western Zhou Period, therefore a history of over 2000 years. The Courtyard could be formed by one or more yards. The home of a powerful cln could have dozens of courts , and be defended by high perimeter walls .