Qiao Compound

Located 60 km south of Taiyuan and some 20 km north of ancient Pingyao city, the compound was built in 1756 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Its buildings are well maintained to this day despite the fact that the Qiao family lost its influence in the 1940s.

The family enjoyed a prestigious status during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1735-96): One of the family patriarchs was a famous trader whose travels took him to far-flung foreign lands. The family engaged in banking, which extended its commercial influence beyond Shanxi Province, making their private banks a nationwide enterprise. The compound's inner courtyards and passageways were designed in the shape of the Chinese characters for "double happiness" (shuang xi); its architecture is diverse, featuring an array of contrasting roof styles that range from gentle slopes to high peaks, swooping down to form elegant curves.

This mansion covers some 4,220 square yards and consists of six main courtyards and 20 minor ones. There are 313 rooms are set on a north-south axis. An 80-meter-long passageway (87 yards) runs from east to west, dividing the complex into halves. At the western end stands the ancestral temple of the Qiao family.

The compound is contained within a 10-meter high wall with parapets and battlements on top. At each of the four corners is a watchtower that completes the defenses protecting the seal ed-off, private world of the mansion. Within the walls a road has been constructed to give to access various buildings featuring an array of 140 chimneys -- each with its own unique design.

The main entrance is located in an elaborate gateway, complete with a tower that opens to the east. Above the door is an inscription of the family motto: "Descendants be righteous, brothers show mutual care so the family may prosper." Beyond the gate is a screen wall that features a carving of the character for longevity. This mansion that was used as the setting for the famous film Raise the Red Lantern.

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