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.