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Qiao Family Compound
Introducing Qiao's Family Compound
Qiao’s Family Compound is also known as Qiao’s Grand Courtyard. Qiao’s Family Compound is a remarkable courtyard house in Qi County, located 41 km (25.4 miles) northwest of Pingyao and 57 km (35.4 miles) south of Taiyuan. This expansive estate was formerly the residence of the prominent financier Qiao Zhiyong (乔致庸, 1818-1907), the most notable member of the Qiao family.
Considered by architects as one of the best-preserved examples of grand private residences in northern China, Qiao’s Family Compound sprawls across an impressive 9,000 square meters (2.2 acres). This architectural marvel, designed in the shape of the Chinese xi character (囍, symbolizing “double happiness”), boasts a complex and harmonious layout. Within its walls, 313 rooms are distributed among 6 large courtyards, 20 smaller ones, and various gardens. The indoor spaces alone encompass a remarkable 4,000 square meters (about 1 acre). Visitors are continually impressed by both its grand scale and the fine craftsmanship evident throughout. Detailed brick carvings, woodwork, murals, and inscribed tablets are showcased throughout the estate, while the diverse roof styles and the over 140 uniquely designed chimneys are of particular interest.
The Qiao’s Family Compound gained international recognition as the main filming location for Zhang Yimou’s renowned film “Raise the Red Lantern.” Its cultural significance was further enhanced when it served as the setting for a 2006 Chinese television series titled “Qiao’s Grand Courtyard.”
Qiao's Family Compound Fast Facts
• AKA: Qiao’s Grand Courtyard
• Chinese Name: Qiao Jia Da Yuan 乔家大院
• Best Time to Visit: Apr, May, Sept & Oct
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 2 - 3 x hours
• Opening Hours: 8:30 – 18:00 (Apr – Oct), 8:00 – 17:15 (Nov – Mar)
• Entrance Fee: CNY115
• Address: Qiaojiabu Village, Dongguan Township, Qixian County, Shanxi Province
History of the Qiao's Family Compound
Qiao’s Family Compound, a symbol of the family’s enduring legacy, was established during Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1736-1796). Qiao Quanmei (乔全美), father of future patriarch Qiao Zhiyong (乔致庸), initiated the construction of this grand residence. Building upon his father’s foundation, Qiao Zhiyong’s leadership propelled the family’s fortunes to their peak. His business acumen led to the expansion of the Qiao clan’s empire, controlling over 200 businesses nationwide, including banks, pawnshops, teahouses, and granaries. This prosperity funded the compound’s most significant expansion.
Qiao Zhiyong’s legacy extends beyond business success. During the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901), an anti-foreign uprising in China, he sheltered seven Italian nuns fleeing violence, earning gratitude from the Italian embassy in the form of a flag. This flag later proved crucial during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), as it spared the compound from destruction by Japanese forces due to Italy’s alliance with Japan. However, despite surviving the war intact, the Qiao family’s time in the residence eventually came to an end. They inhabited the compound until 1985, after which it was converted into a museum.
What to Expect at Qiao's Family Compound
For those seeking to understand the lifestyle of China’s historical upper class, the Qiao’s Family Compound proves to be an eye-opening experience, offering insights that go beyond mere observation. Though smaller than Beijing’s sprawling Forbidden City, the well-preserved compound offers a more intimate and accessible experience. Visitors can explore all the rooms and examine the artifacts up close, getting a richer, more tangible connection to history.
Grand Layout
Upon entering through the main gate, visitors are greeted by an 80-meter-long (262.4 ft) stone-paved pathway that divides the compound’s six main courtyards into two rows, north and south. The entire compound is meticulously laid out, surrounded by 10-meter (33 ft) high walls that give it a fortress-like appearance from the outside.
Each of the six courtyards consists of a principal room, reserved for the host and distinguished by its tiled roof, while the side rooms, designated for guests and servants, have brick roofs instead. This difference in architectural style not only breaks up the monotony of the design but also indicates the hierarchy of the compound’s residents. Walkways connect the rooftops of each courtyard, allowing for easy patrolling and guarding of the compound—a testament to the turbulent times and the ever-present need for security in feudal China.
Stunning Embellishments and Relics
While the high walls and fortress-like exterior project an image of impenetrable security, stepping inside the courtyards reveals a world of refined living and intricate design. Some courtyards are flanked by fearsome stone guardian lions, their alert postures and intricately carved details radiating a sense of power and protection. Others welcome visitors with eaves delicately painted with scenes from Chinese folk legends or gates adorned with beautiful engravings.
This attention to detail and symbolism permeates the entire premises, with over 300 ingenious wood carvings and painted plaques, each piece imbued with rich folk symbolism. Among these, you’ll find lifelike wooden figures standing as guardians — the God of Wealth, the God of Happiness, and the revered Three Deities of Fu, Lu, and Shou (representing good fortune, prosperity, and longevity). Their presence promises auspiciousness to all who cross the threshold.
Within the estate’s many rooms, over 2,000 cultural relics are held, each whispering stories of the Qiao family’s opulent life. Hand-painted porcelain, shimmering silk embroideries, detailed paintings, and elaborate altarpieces fill the space. Separate exhibitions delve deeper into the family’s history and their business practices during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), effectively transporting visitors back to the China of centuries past.
How to Get to Qiao's Family Compound
• The Qiao’s Family Compound is located approx. 41 km (25.4 miles) away from Pingyao County.
• Charter a car/bus from GoGrandChina to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Pingyao to Qiao's Family Compound.