In the early 20th century, a German introduced Chinese caves to the world. In his book, he said the sunken courtyard was a “bold creation.”

A sunken courtyard, just as its name implies, is a kind of underground construction. People usually dig a square or a rectangular gulf with a length of 10 to 12 metres on the smooth loess land. It is usually about 6 to 7 meters deep. Rooms are dug within the perimeter.

The room facing the door of the courtyard is called a main cave, which is for the family’s elders. A kitchen, toilet, and other rooms can also be found in the residence.

A large family of three or four generations may live in one pit of the dwelling, or several families may share such a unit.

People living in sunken courtyards live simply. They do not need to use air-conditioning, or electric fans. In the summer, the temperature inside the cave is much lower. However, in the winter, when the ground temperature dips 7 or 8 degree below zero Celsius, the sunken courtyard can also maintain a temperature of about 10 Celsius.

People usually plant trees and flowers in the courtyards so that for each season, fresh flowers could be in full bloom, giving people a gentle and rustic atmosphere to enjoy.

Some courtyards have a wall, 30 or 40 centimeters high, enclosing the building. On the one hand, it is used as shelter from the rain. It is also a measure to protect children and people who walk during the night.

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