Our courtyard experience was Double Happiness Sihe Yuan (Bei Jing Yue Wei Zhuang Si He Yuan) on Dongsi 4th Alley. It is about 250 years old. This is a converted Siheyuan. Upon entering the entrance doorway, dark narrow pathways meandered through long corridors (with low lit lights and wall hangings), we reached an open courtyard. Rooms lined along all four sides of the courtyard. Looks like, the Siheyuan is miniature version of the Forbidden City and ancient walled cities – they are completely enclosed within the walls for safety and privacy. This courtyard residence used to be the house of an ancient scholar and dignitary, Mr. Ji Xiaolan during the Qing dynasty, it is built in the typical, old Beijing architectural style with a compound of quadrangle courtyards. Modern plumbing and heating had replaced the old. The rooms were fabulously decorated, inviting open courtyard and very comfortable. It is an essential hutong and courtyard residence experience.