'Xī xiāng' literally means 'western wing' and refers to the western side building or annex of a traditional Chinese siheyuan (courtyard residence). In classical architecture, a siheyuan typically consists of four wings — north (main), south, east, and west — surrounding a central courtyard. The western wing often served as living quarters for younger family members, guests, or female relatives, reflecting Confucian spatial hierarchy and gender-segregated living arrangements.

Today, 'xī xiāng' appears mainly in historical, literary, or architectural contexts — especially in references to classical literature like *The Romance of the Western Chamber* (*Xī Xiāng Jì*), a famous Yuan dynasty drama set in a Buddhist temple’s western wing. It is rarely used to describe modern buildings, and carries strong cultural connotations of tradition, romance, and classical elegance rather than simple geography.