Qiao Family Compound

The Qiao Family Compound sits in Qiaojiabao Village, Dongguan Town, Qi County, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China, roughly midway between Pingyao and Taiyuan. It was the residence of the Qiao merchant family, who made their fortune in banking and trade during the Qing dynasty. Built in stages from the 18th century, the walled complex has six large courtyards, 19 smaller ones and more than 300 rooms, laid out in a pattern said to resemble the Chinese character for double happiness when seen from above. Visitors see richly carved brick, wood and stone decoration, painted beams, lattice windows and gate towers, and the compound became widely known as the setting for the film Raise the Red Lantern. Rooms are furnished with period furniture and exhibits explaining the family's business and domestic life, including a small museum of folk customs. Walking the full circuit takes around two hours, and the site is arranged so that visitors follow a long central lane with courtyards branching off on either side. Good photo angles include the rooftop paths that connect sections of the compound, which offer views over the grey-tiled roofs and chimneys. Crowds are heaviest at weekends and on public holidays, when domestic tour groups fill the lanes, and weekday mornings are much calmer. The compound is easily reached by car from Pingyao or Taiyuan and is often combined with Pingyao in a longer Shanxi itinerary. Lighting and signage are provided in English in key areas, though a guide adds helpful context.