Shanxi's Grand Countyard
By Zhou Yuanyuan ( chinadaily.com.cn )
Updated: 2013-08-15
The Shanxi courtyards were built during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and are courtyards with a mansion characteristic of northern China, and are found in cities and towns scattered across the central, northern, southeastern, and southern parts of Shanxi province. These grand courtyards resulted from the interaction of commercial activity and the politics of late imperial China. The Shanxi merchants of that time built them to show off their wealth, and, to some extent, their culture and values. These courtyards provide good material for research on various aspects of Shanxi history.
Mansion of the Qiao Family, located in Qiaojiapu village of Qixian county, is 54 kilometers to the south of Taiyuan.The mansion was the residence of Qiao Zhiyong, a famous commercial finance capitalist in Qing Dynasty. It was constructed in the reign of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty. Later, it was reconstructed twice and expanded. It displayed the unique styles of dwellings of north China in Qing Dynasty.Read more >>
Located 12 km east of Lingshi County, Shanxi Province, the Grand Courtyard of the Wang Family is the largest folk residence among all the well-known grand courtyards. It was built by the Wang Family, one of the four grand families of Lingshi County during the Kangxi Emperor's Reign (1661-1722) to the Jiaqing Emperor's Reign (1796-1820) in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Read more >>
The Courtyard of the Shi Family, in the village of Shijiagou, Fenxi countyof Shanxi provinve, is an example of the Chinese homes built in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). In 2006, the courtyard was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Object due to its high cultural value. Read more >>
Mansion of the Cao Family, also known as Sanduotang Museum, is located in the northeastern corner of Beihuang village five kilometers to the southwest of Taigu county seat, Shanxi province. The mansion takes up a land of 10,638 square meters, with 6,348 square meters area of structure. It keeps architectural complex of Ming, Qing dynasties and Republic of China period. It exhibits numerous treasures.Read more >>
The Chang family's courtyard impresses visitors with its rich history and culture, every part of it is telling a story. It is a perfect example of Chinese architecture and combines northern and southern styles and integrates the residence and garden. Read more >>
Courtyard of Kung Hsianghsi, located in the campus of Taigu Normal School to the west of Wubian Temple of Taigu county, is the largest well preserved courtyard in the county with architectural styles of mid Qing Dynasty. It is a cultural relic under provincial protection.It was constructed in the reigns of Emperor Qianlong and Emperor Xianfeng. It was sold to Kung Hsianghsi in 1930. Read more >>
The Li Family Courtyard, in the village of Yanjing, Wanrong county 38 kilometers to the north of the city of Yuncheng, Shanxi province, was built in the reign of the Daoguang emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and was the private residence of Li Ziyong, a wealthy merchant of Shanxi. Read more >>
