The Qiaojia Grant Courtyard, also known as Zhongtang, is an ancient architectural complex located in Qiaojiabao Village, Qixian County, Shanxi Province. With profound historical roots and rich cultural connotations, it was initially constructed in 1755 and gradually expanded into its present magnificent scale through the efforts of several generations. The entire compound is shaped like a double "happiness" character, consisting of six large courtyards enclosing twenty smaller ones, with 313 rooms and a construction area of 4,175 square meters. This layout not only embodies the symmetrical beauty of traditional Chinese architecture but also incorporates the unique lifestyle philosophy and aesthetic concepts of the Qiao family.
The architectural style of the Qiao Family Compound is unique and characterized by traditional northern Chinese dwellings. The roofs are of various styles, including the xieshan roof (gable and hip roof), yingshan roof (gable roof), and xuanshan roof (suspended roof), which nearly cover all traditional roof forms in Chinese architecture. The chimney design of the compound is also quite distinctive, with over 140 chimneys, each designed in the shape of a small house or pavilion and adorned with intricate brick and wood carvings, revealing the craftsmanship and artistic taste of the Qiao family. As a key national cultural relics protection unit and a national second-level museum, the Qiao Family Compound exhibits over 5,000 precious artifacts, providing a concentrated reflection of folk customs primarily from the Jinzhong region of Shanxi. These artifacts include exhibits related to agricultural customs, life rituals, seasonal festivals, clothing, food, housing, and transportation, as well as displays of commercial customs, folk crafts, historical materials of the Qiao family, treasures of the Qiao family, and film and television themes. These valuable exhibits not only allow people to understand the history and culture of the Qiao family but also showcase the local customs and living conditions of ancient Chinese society.
The Qiaojia Grand Courtyard holds immense historical and cultural value, witnessing the rise and fall of ancient Chinese society as well as the fortunes and misfortunes of the Qiao family. At the same time, it represents the traditional values of ancient Chinese feudal society, including loyalty, filial piety, respect for the elderly, and emphasis on righteousness, reflecting the essence of Chinese traditional culture. The Qiaojia Grand Courtyard has become an important historical and cultural heritage site and a popular tourist destination in China, attracting visitors to come and visit. Visitors can admire the compound's architectural style, decorative arts, and cultural connotations, experiencing the charm of ancient Chinese residential architecture. Meanwhile, the Qiaojia Grand Courtyard has also received significant attention and protection from the government and society to ensure its preservation for future generations, leaving behind this valuable cultural heritage.
Information
Admission ticket
Adults are 115 yuan and students are 58 yuan at half-price
Play time: two hours
Courtyard characteristics
“Three kinds of carvings style” (wood carving, brick carving, stone carving): all over the corners ofQiaojia Grand Courtyard
Plaques: There are many plaques hanging in each gate
Treasures: Rhinoceros moon mirror, Jiulong Lantern, Jiulong Screen, etc
