Quadrangles (called Si He Yuan in Chinese), is Beijing’s historical culture heritage. Since the Yuan Dynasty, when Beijing was built as the capital, the Si He Yuan became a typical building style in the city.
Adjacent to the Forbidden City, there is an old lane named “Nan Luo Gu” and it’s surrounding area houses many characterized Si He Yuan. Nan Luo Gu has over 800 years of history and about is 786 meters long from the North end to the South end. This lane is lower at both ends, and higher in the middle, with 16 Hu Tongs symmetrically arranged on both sides of Nan Luo Gu, arranged in the original Turtle-Shell structure of the Yuan Dynasty. There has always been a major residence of imperial families, social celebrities and high officials. Here as the largest, best-preserved and highest-grade quadrangle cluster, 28 of these structures have been listed as protected heritage sites by the government. Walking down the NanLuoGuo you may not only find many historical marks, but you can also hear a lot of legendary stories that have happened in SiHe Yuan.
From Qing dynasty, the history of Courtyard7 was connected with some historical celebrities.In late Qing dynasty, the Empress Dowager Cixi bestowed this courtyard on one of her minister, who was of the fourth rank.
During the period of the Republic of China, the Huizhou merchant Mr Wu Zhaoxiang, who was on a par with the founder of Wuyutai tea shop Mr Wu Xiqing bought this courtyard.
Later, Wu sold this courtyard to the adjutant-general of the Northeast Army Mr Song Shoushan. The courtyard once became the stronghold for Mr Zhang Zuolin and Mr Zhang Zuoxiang in Beijing.
After liberation, the Minister of the Republic has been living here.On 28th, June, 2008, after more than three years renovation, the courtyard was open in the form of a hotel.
