Qiao's Family Compound Cultural Park is located in a historical and cultural area - Qixian county, Jinzhong city, Shanxi province, an place famous for the ancient Shanxi merchants. It enjoys a convenient communication system: 54 kilometers from the provincial capital Taiyuan, 45 kilometers from Taiyuan South Railway Station and Wusu International Airport, and less than 20 kilometers from Qixian Railway Station. It is also adjacent to the 208 and 108 national expressways, as well as the Jingkun, Qingyin, Yuqi, Taichang (Erguang), and Dayun highways.
Named after the Qiaos' Courtyard where the prominent commercial capitalist Qiao Zhiyong and his family used to live, a clan renowned for their businesses legend in Ming and Qing dynasties, the national park is composed of the courtyard complex- "Four yards and One Garden" and the Changyuan River National Wetland Park. It has been classified as a key national cultural relic protection, a national level-2 museum, a national excellent cultural museum, a national civilized tourist attraction, one of the top ten cultural brands and one of the top ten quality scenic spots in Shanxi province.
Firstly built in 1755 in Qianlong reign of Qing Dynasty, the Qiaos' Courtyard complex consists of five sections: Zai Zhong Tang, De Xing Tang, Bao Yuan Tang, Ning Shou Tang, and the family garden, covering a total area of more than 25,600 square meters. There are a total of 18 courtyards, 41 small yards, and 731 houses. It has been designated a "national cultural and ecological tourism base" by the China Association of Oriental Culture Studies, known as “a brilliant pearl of the northern residential architecture" for its special position as a model of northern China residence.
"Zai Zhong Tang " represents the Confucian "moderation" doctrine of "leaning to neither side, using the middle section". "Zai Zhong" means "in the middle". It demonstrates how Qiao Zhiyong integrated his philosophy in life and business into the title of the main yard.The overall layout of this complex is a Chinese character "囍" (pronounced as "xi"), meaning double auspicious.
De Xing Tang was home of Qiao Zhixiang, a son of Qiao Quande. The title was derived from two sentences in the Chinese classics of “forever development and fortune” in the Book of Songs and "only those with moralities owning it" in the Doctrine of the Mean.
Bao Yuan Tang carries the family expectation to "succeed in the imperial examinations". It was built by Qiao Chaowu, the fourth generation of the family and the best educated branch. With majestic layout, the courtyard also shows the official position that the owner used to hold.
Ning Shou Tang, meaning "still water with deep running, honest for faithfulness", was the residence of Qiao Guifa - founder of the family business. It is generally called the "old yard”.
Locating between Bao Yuan Tang and Ning Shou Tang, the garden is of typical northern northern: pavilions, small bridge, flowing water, and flowers.
Qi County, lies on the central section of the Tea Road, is hometown of the ancient Shanxi merchants, who were among the pioneers of the Tea Road.
Service Hotline：(086) 0354-3831420
Address：Qiaojiabao, Qi County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province
