A standard siheyuan usually falls into a rectangular compound with one-story houses squarely facing the cardinal points and a courtyard in middle. A pair of stone lions usually stands in front of the vermilion studded door with painted lintel on the top.
Decorative patterns are flowers and bird.
Stepping over a high wooden threshold, you will find a stone screen standing ahead. It is built to avoid direct inspect from outside and also believed to dispel evil spirits. The next comes the outer courtyard, flanked by rooms to the east and west. These serve as kitchens and servants' living quarters. The up-turn eaves provide a pleasant shade in summer.