Quad in Beijing (Example: No. 11, Mao’er Hutong)

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In northern Han traditional folk houses, the popular quad in Beijing is the most famous and the most typical one. Quad No.1 1, Maoer Hutong on south side of Drum Tower is the outstanding representative of the existing Beijing Ming and Qing quads. This quad was originally the residence of Wenyu, grand secretary in the late Qing Dynasty . It is well-designed with architectural beauty. It is mainly consists of three parts. In west part, the main house has symmetrical distribution for five compounds, with good house quality. Obverse house is extremely high and grand. The middle gate is “festoon gate”. The third and fourth two compounds see “Chaoshou Veranda”. In east part, “Ke Garden” imitates the Suzhou gardens, which can be praised as the most beautiful private garden in Beijing. The last row on north side is “Houzhao Room” across the main house and Ke Garden.

Festoon gate is a kind of special gate style in northern quads as represented in Beijing, which serves as middle gate for entering into inner compound from outer compound. It is often closed. Left and right pathways are only access to festoon gate. Obverse gate was only opened in major events or important guests visits. Festoon gate, as a partition for inner compound from outer compound, not only keeps inner compound quiet, but also has signif cance in terms of patriarchal clan system and ritual. According to the folk saying that ancient women dwelt in deep seclusion and rarely come out from big gate and secondary gate , secondary gate refers to festoon gate. Festoon gate in quad No.11, Maoer Hutong features smart shape, wonderful decoration, brilliant painting and beautiful carving, which looks elegant and luxurious to enrich quad landscape.

In quads in Beijing, veranda links obverse house, wing room and festoon gate. Among which, “Chaoshou Veranda” sits on both sides of festoon gate, while “Chuanshan Veranda” sits on both sides of obverse house. Veranda can not only add layer feeling of compound space, but also can avoid sun-scorched and rain-drenched dilemma. What a good place for gathering and sightseeing!

The layout of quads in Beijing

The common layout is courtyard with three pounds from front to rear . The gate is generally opened at the southeast corner . Passing the gate, visitors see screen wall. Bypassing screen wall, visitors go into the narrow front compound. In front compound, north -face south-back room backs on alley and serves as wall. The opposite central axis is decorated with festoon gate. It is followed by broad main compound consisting of obverse house facing south, penthouse, east-west wing room and veranda linking obverse house, wing room and festoon gate. A row of “Houzhao Rooms” is behind obverse house, thereby forming the third compound. The main compound, enclosed by obverse house and wing room is planted with f owers and trees, placed with bird cage and f sh tank, which create a comfortable and leisurely atmosphere.

Types of gate of quads

Gates of quads in Beijing can basically fall into two types: 1) House-shaped gate: It is composed with one or several rooms. 2) Wall-shaped gate: It is built on the basis of compound wall. According to the hierarchy, gates of quads can fall into towering “Prince Mansion Gate” for royal families, “Broad Gate” and “Golden-column Gate” for of f cial families, “Ruyi Gate”, “Manzi Gate” and “Narrow Gate” for common people, as well as various “wall-shaped gates” depending on the walls.