Have you found that there is a wall in front of you when you enter a traditional quadrangle courtyard? What the use of it? Actually, it is one of the important element of Chinese traditional architecture. It named Yingbi in North China and called Zhaobi in South China.

Yingbi, also called Zhaobi, was named Xiaoqiang in ancient times. The wall is mainly used to hold back others’ sight lines. In ancient times, people believed that there will be ghosts visit their house at night and it is okay if the ghosts are their ancestors but it will bring bad luck if ghosts of strangers come to visit. So this wall is considered as a barrier to stop the latter ghosts.

Another reason to build Yingbi is make the courtyard much more neat and clean. It would be a pleasure when you see a well designed Yingbi (Wall) rather than dull walls of rooms when you enter the yard.

In old times, no matter you are rich or poor, the Yingbi is a must item of your courtyard. The rich usually built the walls much bigger with better decorations. The poor may just build a wall without any decorations at all.

It is a tradition that you asked at the Yingbi before you enter the other part of the courtyard when you visit others’ houses. It considered to be a polite way to show your respect of the hosts. As time passes, the Yingbi becomes the place where adults chatting, playing chess and children playing hide-and-find games.