Qiao Family Compound

Qiao Family Compound
乔家大院
The Jingyi House of the Qiao Family Compound
Qiao Family Compound is located in Shanxi
Qiao Family Compound
Location in Shanxi, China
General information
Town or cityQi County, Shanxi
CountryChina
Coordinates37°24′21.86″N 112°25′47.93″E / 37.4060722°N 112.4299806°E / 37.4060722; 112.4299806
Qiao Family Compound
Traditional Chinese大院
Simplified Chinese大院
Literal meaningThe Qiao Family's Courtyard House
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinQiáojiā Dàyuàn
Wade–GilesCh‘iao-chia Ta-yüan
Zaizhong Hall
Chinese
Literal meaningMiddle Hall
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZàizhōng Táng
Wade–GilesTsai-chung T‘ang

The Qiao Family Compound, originally the Zaizhong Hall and officially Qiao's Grand Courtyard, is a courtyard house located in Qi County, Jinzhong Prefecture, Shanxi Province, China, approximately 30 kilometers (20 mi) northeast of Pingyao. It is the residential compound of well-known financier Qiao Zhiyong (乔致庸/喬致庸, 1818—1907), who was the most famous member of the Qiao family.[1] Construction began in 1756 during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor in the Qing dynasty and was completed sometime in the 18th century. The estate covers 9,000 square metres (97,000 sq ft) and has 313 rooms with 4,000 square metres (43,000 sq ft) within 6 large courtyards and 19 smaller courtyards.

Architects consider it to be one of the finest remaining examples of imposing private residences in northern China. It has been converted into a museum and has many period furnishings.

It is famous for being the chief location in the Zhang Yimou film Raise the Red Lantern. A 2006 Chinese television series, Qiao's Grand Courtyard, was also shot here.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Qiao Zhiyong-Founder of Dadetong Bank". China Daily. August 3, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  2. ^ "Tourists flock into antique courtyards as holiday approaches". Xinhuanet. April 22, 2006. Archived from the original on April 30, 2006. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
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