Qiao Family Courtyard | The Imperial Palace for royalty, Qiao's residence for civilians

✅ About Qiao's ~ 🏮 Qiao Family Courtyard is a representative work of Shanxi residential architecture🏠, a complex that offers a profound experience🍃, not something every old house can achieve, but this place does. The current Qiao Family Courtyard consists of 'four halls and one garden'🗺️, named after the Qiao family, a prominent merchant family from the Ming and Qing dynasties, known both domestically and internationally. The scenic area covers a total area of 24,065 square meters, with 18 large courtyards, 41 small courtyards, and a total of 731 rooms. The main architectural complex, 'Zhongtang' courtyard, occupies an area of 10,642 square meters, with a building area of 4,175 square meters, comprising 6 large courtyards, 20 small courtyards, and 313 rooms. It is a fully enclosed castle-style building🏰, and also the main part of the Qiao Family Courtyard that visitors explore. ✅ Basic Information ~ Tickets🎫: Adults 115r💰, half-price 58r💰 (free admission for Shanxi residents before December 30) Time⌚: 08:30-17:00 (2 hours is enough for a visit) Guidance🎙️: 120r💰 (interpretation services available at the visitor center🎙️) Location📍: Qiaojia Fort Village, Dongguan Town, Qixian, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province Transport🚗: It is recommended to drive yourself or join a one-day tour group, as it is very close to the downtown area of Taiyuan, about a 40-50 minute drive. ✅ Travel Tips ~ 1⃣️ Qiao Family Courtyard is quite large, with many steps and thresholds within the scenic area, so there is a lot of walking👣. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes👟. 2⃣️ 'Zhongtang' is the main building, and the visiting route can follow the sequence of Courtyard No.1 (old courtyard) → Courtyard No.2 → Courtyard No.3 → Courtyard No.5 (the most beautiful courtyard) → Courtyard No.6 (garden🖼️) → Treasure Hall, without backtracking. 3⃣️ It is advised to hire an interpreter👩🏻‍🏫 or bring a tour guide, otherwise, all you will see are courtyards🏘️. What needs to be understood here is the history of the Qiao family's rise to wealth and their business philosophy. 💟 Key Spots to Visit ~ ❇️ Three Treasures of the Qiao Family: the ball for ten thousand people, the Nine Dragons Palace Lantern🏮, and the Rhino Looking at the Moon Mirror🪞 ❇️ Two Plaques, Two Couplets, One Picture: Two Plaques: Blessing Seed of Langhuan, Ancient Style Two Couplets: Damaging others' desires to restore natural justice, Accumulating morality to be capable of literature Descendants noble and great, siblings harmonious and prosperous One Picture: Hundred Longevity Picture🗺️ (a hundred different forms of the character for longevity)