A great number of siheyuans have been sold to foreigners in Beijing since the city launched its new trade policy early this year.

Siheyuans are traditional residential compounds with buildings surrounding a courtyard. Old Beijingers, especially the rich and powerful, used to live in these once high-status houses.

However, many contemporary residents, who felt they were inconvenient, have moved into modern housing as the city has developed.

To protect these historic buildings, the municipality launched A Circular on Encouraging Groups and Individuals to Buy Siheyuans in Beijing’s Old Districts and Cultural and Historical Protection Areas in April this year. For the first time, foreigners were allowed to buy siheyuans.

Developers in Beijing say sales of siheyuans have increased since the new policy came into effect, and over 60 percent of buyers are foreigners or non-Beijingers.

A French buyer who just moved into her newly bought siheyuan thinks that no buildings can compare well with the dignity and mystery of siheyuans.

The siheyuans are mainly situated in the Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen and Xuanwu districts. But the best-preserved ones are in the Dongcheng and Xicheng districts.

“The best siheyuans are in and around Shicha Lake in the Dongcheng District and sold very well,” said the chief of Wande Real Estate Company, “They can be sold at over 10,000 yuan (US$1,210) per square meter.”

Compared with modern apartments, many feel living in siheyuans to be inconvenient because of their imperfect infrastructure.

To deal with problems, owners are allowed to add necessary facilities such as sewers and bathrooms, or augment electric supplies. One restriction remains: they cannot be reconstructed into villas or used as shops.

(China.org.cn by Unisumoon, November 20, 2004)