Courtyard　housing　has　been　the　fundamental　type　of　residential　building　in　China　for　more　than　two　millennia.　Its　basic　square　or　rectangular　shape,　with　an　open　court　in　the　center,　was　reflected　in　most　dwellings　constructed　throughout　the　country　until　the　1950s.　In　Beijing,　courtyard　housing　is　unique　for　its　signature　form　and　urban　texture.　This　article　explores　the　inherent　features,　forces,　and　factors　that　have　defined,　shaped,　and　maintained　this　standard　form　for　more　than　44　dynasties　and　discusses　modern　challenges　leading　to　the　gradual　destruction　of　courtyard　housing,　especially　in　the　historic　Inner　City　of　Beijing.　Copyright　©　2007,　Locke　Science　Publishing　Company,　Inc.　Chicago,　IL,　USA.　All　Rights　Reserved.