"Courtyard" in Huizhou architecture refers to the open space surrounded by houses (or walls). Except for a few "dark three rooms", most houses in Huizhou have "patios". Three patios are located in front of the hall and four patios are located in the hall. This design makes the room full of light and air circulation, but it is cold in winter and wet in rainy days. The design of patio is also closely related to Huizhou's commercial tradition. According to Feng Shui theory, water is the source of wealth. Business people, taboo capital outflow. The patio can make the rainwater on the front ridge of the house not flow outside, but be brought into the patio smoothly. In order to avoid the outflow of wealth, it is called "four waters come to the hall" or "four waters return to the Ming hall".
Note: Many buildings in southern China have patios.