Chongli Residence (Courtyard Houses at Nos. 63-65, Dongsi Liutiao)

Chongli Residence (Courtyard Houses at Nos. 63-65, Dongsi Liutiao)

The Chongli Residence (Courtyard Houses at Nos. 63-65, Dongsi Liutiao) is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Chongli Residence is located at No. 63-65, Dongsi Sitiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing.

Chongli was a Grand Secretary during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, and his residence is a well-preserved example of a typical Qing Dynasty courtyard house. In Beijing, the layout of courtyard houses follows a symmetrical arrangement along a north-south central axis, governed by feudal clan hierarchical rituals. The main gate of the residence is usually situated at the southeast corner of the compound, with a screen wall (zhaobi) erected just inside to prevent outsiders from seeing activities inside the home. From there, one turns westward into the front courtyard. The southern rooms are often used as guest rooms, study halls, or utility spaces. The principal room in the rear courtyard is reserved for the elders, while the east and west wing rooms are for the younger generations. These rooms are interconnected by a surrounding corridor. Larger residences may also feature auxiliary courtyards on the sides and gardens in the back. The Chongli Residence is divided into three parts: the main courtyard, side courtyards, and a garden. It boasts a spacious layout and luxurious architecture, with the interior of the main room in the principal courtyard still preserving intact wooden lattice partitions and inscriptions personally engraved by Chongli—making it a quintessential aristocratic mansion. (National Cultural Heritage Administration)

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units in Beijing

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units