May Day Special: Courtyards in Shanxi

In Shanxi, there exists a group of courtyards: they not only symbolize the Jin merchant culture but also epitomize the Ming and Qing dynasties residential architecture. Take advantage of the May Day holiday and come to explore them together!

1.Shanxi,Jinzhong｜Wang’s Grand Courtyard

There is a grand courtyard in Shanxi, covering an area of 250,000 square meters, even larger than the Forbidden City. It is called Wang’s Grand Courtyard. When people mention the folk Forbidden City or the Shanxi Forbidden City, they are actually referring to Wang’s Grand Courtyard.Wang’s Grand Courtyard is a representative of the Qing Dynasty residential architecture, constructed over more than 300 years. Many visitors' impression after visiting is "once you've seen Wang’s Grand Courtyard, you don't need to see any other courtyards," meaning that after visiting Wang’s Grand Courtyard, other courtyards pale in comparison. Currently, Wang’s Grand Courtyard has been included in the "China's World Cultural Heritage Tentative List."

2.Shanxi,Jinzhong｜The Qiao’s Family Compound

The Qiao’s Family Compound derived its name from the residence of the Qiao family, prominent merchants in the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Shanxi. The courtyard was originally built in the 20th year of the Qianlong period (1755), consisting of the Zhong Hall, Dexing Hall, Baoyuan Hall, Ningshou Hall and Qiao Family Garden, collectively known as the “Four Halls and One Garden.” Serving as a testament to the spirit and practices of Shanxi merchants, it is hailed as a palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties' architectural artistry, and acclaimed as a “radiant pearl” in the history of northern residential architecture.

3.Shanxi,Jinzhong｜Chang’s Courtyard

Located in Chewang Village, Dongyang Town, Yuci District, Chang’s Courtyard

is the residence of the Chang family, the leading family in China's foreign trade industry. The scale of the Chang family's architectural complex ranks first among various Shanxi merchants' courtyards in Qi County ,Taigu District ,Pingyao County and other places. After restoration, the open-to-the-public Chang’s Courtyard covers an area of about 120,000 square meters. It can be regarded as a grand view garden and a panorama of traditional Chinese residential architecture. The cultural soul, Chinese brand, and the world’s treasure are the eternal values of Chang’s Courtyard.

4.Shanxi,Yuncheng｜Li's Courtyard

Li's Courtyard was originally built during the period of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty, with a history of over 200 years. Li's Courtyard has a grand scale with cleverly conceived designs, exuding the spirit, temperament and charm of the traditional Han culture. Based on traditional residential architecture in southern Shanxi, Li's Courtyard incorporates elements of Huizhou and Gothic architectural styles and adopts Japanese sliding doors, blending Eastern and Western architectural influences seamlessly and wonderfully.