Visitors view photographic works at the exhibition. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A photography exhibition centered around courtyards of the Shanxi merchants is underway at the Mansudae Art Museum in Beijing's 798 Art District, displaying 49 photographs by Shanxi-born photographer Zhao Yongsheng.

From the ancient Tea Horse Road to the vast deserts, and from the imperial court to the nation's governance, the footprints of Shanxi merchants can be found everywhere, extending even beyond national borders across the Eurasian continent. Shanxi merchants not only promoted goods and products worldwide but also carried the warm traditional culture and the spirit of Shanxi people wherever they went.

The Qiao Family Courtyard [Photo by Zhao Yongsheng/cpanet.org.cn]

The Shanxi merchants were an elite group among the people of Shanxi, leaving a significant mark in Chinese history with their unique business acumen and their principles of honesty and integrity in business practices. The courtyards they built not only showcased their economic strength but also reflected their profound cultural heritage and artistic aesthetics.

The grand courtyards of the Shanxi merchants, mostly constructed during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, are representatives of northern residential architecture. Renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship in wood carving, brick carving and stone carving, these courtyards resemble independent worlds of art. They bear witness to the glorious history of the Shanxi merchants, serving as treasures of architectural art.

The brick carving and wood carving of Qiao Family Courtyard [Photo by Zhao Yongsheng/cpanet.org.cn]

For nearly 30 years, photographer Zhao Yongsheng has explored every corner of the grand courtyards of the Shanxi merchants. With his camera, he captures the seasonal changes of these courtyards, documenting the historical traces among the gray bricks and tiles, and tracing the footsteps of the Shanxi merchants under the play of light and shadow.

Through his works, viewers can see the rich heritage carried by places like the ancient city of Pingyao, the old city of Yuci, as well as the Qiao Family Courtyard, the Qu Family Courtyard, the Cao Family Courtyard and the Kong Xiangxi Residence. We can also appreciate the unique and abundant legacies of the city of Jinzhong.

Standing in the exhibition hall, visitors can embark on a journey through time and space, experiencing the rich history and cultural spirit embodied in the courtyards of the Shanxi merchants.

The Pingyao ancient city [Photo by Zhao Yongsheng/cpanet.org.cn]