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The Dingcun Folk Houses comprise more than 20 compounds of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties with the earliest built between 1593 and 1612 during the Ming and the latest built during the reign of Qing emperors Kangxi and Xianfeng. The present houses have retained the overall arrangement of the Ming-Qing period. They are divided into three groups: the north yard (of the late Ming), the middle yard (of the early Qing) and the south yard (of the late Qing). Altogether there are 282 buildings in the compound which include the central rooms, wing rooms, viewing buildings, gate towers, girls’ bedrooms, the decorated archway and memorial archways. Wooden and brick carvings mainly depict figures, flowers, birds, beasts and historical or classical dramas. The lifelike patterns, simple yet finely carved, are elaborate works found in civil houses of the Ming-Qing period.

(Source: en.beijing2008.cn)