Qiao's Grand Courtyard [Photo/VCG]

Qiao's Grand Courtyard in Qiaojiapu, Qixian county, sits 54 kilometers south of Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province, and 2 km north of Dongguan town. 

Qiao's Grand Courtyard was once the residence of Qiao Zhiyong, a famous Shanxi merchant of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and his family, and dates back to the reign of Qing Emperor Qianlong. The courtyard was twice reconstructed and expanded in later years. The mansion was developed into a grand architectural complex in the early years of the Republic of China (1912-1949) and to this day displays the unique styles of Northern Chinese Qing Dynasty dwellings.

The splendid houses are not only attractions at Qiao's Grand Courtyard, but also the exquisite examples of the architectural technology of the period. Stone carvings, wooden sculptures and elaborate color paintings can be seen throughout the complex.

Built in a closed circle, the courtyard, which covers 10,642 square meters, from above resembles the Chinese character xi (meaning pleasure). The massive courtyard complex is divided into six large yards with 20 smaller ones within them. The yards hold a combined 313 rooms. The grand courtyard, with its three walls all facing streets, is disconnected from the other residences. The closed circular wall is over 10 meters high and 1 meter thick, helping to make the alleys connecting the big and small yards easy to patrol.

Address: Qiaojiabu village, Dongguan town, Qixian county, Jinzhong city, Shanxi province