Qiao Family Compound

乔家大院

A fortress-style residence of the Qiao family of Shanxi merchants, headed by Qiao Zhiyong. It was the filming location for “Raise the Red Lantern” and the TV series “Qiao Family Compound.” It has six major courtyards with 313 rooms and exquisite brick and wood carvings.

The Qiao Family Compound lies in Qiaojiabao Village in Qixian County. It was the residence of the Qiao family's “Zaizhong Hall” branch of Shanxi merchants. Construction began in 1755, the twentieth year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty, and it was expanded under Qiao Zhiyong during the Guangxu era. It covers about 10,000 square meters with a building area of 4,175 square meters. The compound is fully enclosed in the style of a fortress. Its outer walls are more than 10 meters high and have no windows. Inside are six large courtyards, twenty small courtyards and 313 rooms. Seen from above, its layout forms the character 囍 (double happiness). The highlights are the architectural details. The gateways, roof ridges and screen walls are decorated with rich brick, wood and stone carvings, including the “Hundred Longevity Characters” screen wall and the “Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon” mirror. The courtyards also display exhibits on Shanxi merchant history, folk customs and Qiao family treasures, such as the Nine-Dragon Lantern and the Wanren Ball. “Raise the Red Lantern” was filmed here by Zhang Yimou in 1991, and red lanterns still hang in the courtyards. After the 2006 TV series “Qiao Family Compound” aired, the site became famous nationwide. A visit takes about 2 hours, and it is recommended that you hire a guide to learn about the Qiao family and its draft-bank (piaohao) history. Admission is about 115 yuan, including Dexing Hall, Ningshou Hall and others. Getting there: The compound lies about 40 kilometers north of Pingyao. You can charter a car from Taiyuan South Station or from the Pingyao old town (about 150 to 200 yuan round trip from Pingyao), and tourist shuttles also run. From Taiyuan, take a bus to Dongguan Town in Qixian and transfer. Tips: The compound draws huge crowds, so on public holidays arrive as soon as it opens in the morning. The courtyards are quite commercialized, so have meals in Qixian County town instead.

Qiao Family Compound

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