Housing Types in China: Traditional and Modern

Traditional Housing

• Siheyuan: Courtyard houses with buildings around a quadrangle.
• Hutong: Narrow alleys lined with siheyuan.
• Tulou: Massive earthen communal roundhouses (Fujian).
• Diaolou: Fortified watchtower-residences (southern China).

Modern Housing

• High-rise apartments: Dominant in dense cities.
• Villas: Detached homes with gardens (suburban/rural).
• Garden houses: Single-family homes with yards.
• Townhouses: Multi-story attached homes.
• Low-rise apartments: Smaller apartment blocks.
• Courtyard apartments: Modern complexes with shared courtyards.

Housing varies greatly by region, urbanization, and income.