Siheyuan

Imagine you live in a square house with no doors or windows. The only way to get inside is through a big gate in the wall that surrounds your house. That's what a siheyuan is like!

Siheyuan is a kind of house that is common in China, especially in the northern part of the country. It's a square or rectangular building with a courtyard in the middle. The walls of the house are usually made of brick, and the roof is made of tiles.

The courtyard is an important part of the siheyuan. It's a big open space in the middle of the house where people can relax, play, and do chores. Sometimes there's a tree or a garden in the courtyard, and sometimes there's a well for drawing water.

The siheyuan is designed to be very practical. Because the walls are so high, it's easy to keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. And because the gate is the only way in and out, it's very secure.

Many people used to live in siheyuan houses in China, especially in big cities like Beijing. But now, many of these old houses are being torn down to make way for new buildings. Some people worry that this will mean the end of an important part of Chinese culture.