Beijing to preserve unique courtyard houses

BEIJING has launched a massive project to preserve its typical old-style houses that cover an area of more than two million square metres, a senior city official said on Friday.  

It is the Chinese capital's largest protection effort in this regard. Siheyuan, or houses built on four sides of courtyards, were the most common residences for Beijing people in the past, but they are in danger of vanishing as modern buildings expand rapidly and require more space.