Geographical Location: Qiao Family Compound is located in Qiaojiapu Village, Qi County, Shanxi Province.
Transportation Methods
Opening Hours and Ticket Information
Opening Hours: Usually, the peak season (March November) is from 8:30 to 18:00, and the off-season (December February of the following year) is from 9:00 to 17:00. However, the specific time may be adjusted. You can confirm it on the official website before traveling.
Ticket Price: The full-price ticket is generally around 100 130 yuan. It may fluctuate according to different seasons and policies. People who meet the conditions such as students and the elderly can enjoy half-price or free tickets. They need to bring valid certificates to buy tickets.
Recommended Tour Routes
Regular Route
After entering through the main gate, first visit the Zaizhong Hall. This is the main courtyard of Qiao Family Compound. The architecture is magnificent, and the brick carvings, wood carvings, and stone carvings are exquisitely crafted. You can appreciate a large number of exquisite traditional architectural decoration arts here.
Then go to Dexing Hall, which shows the history and folk culture of the Qiao family, etc. You can deeply understand the development context of the Qiao family and the local customs.
After that, visit Ningshou Hall. Its architectural style is unique, and the layout of the courtyards is scattered and interesting, with many details worthy of careful appreciation.
Finally, visit Baoyuan Hall to see its architectural features and related exhibits on display.
In-depth Tour Route
In addition to the above main courtyards, you can also go deep into some side courtyards and corners that are less visited by ordinary tourists. These places often can discover some unique architectural details and historical sites. For example, some hidden brick carving patterns, ancient door and window designs, etc.
Visit the museum part of Qiao Family Compound. There are various cultural relics, old photos, and literature materials related to the Qiao family on display here, which can help you understand the business legend of the Qiao family and the profound heritage of Jin merchant culture more comprehensively.
Introduction of Main Scenic Spots
Zaizhong Hall
Architectural Features: Its brackets and flying eaves are decorated with colorful patterns. The architectural structure is in the shape of the Chinese character “double happiness”. There are six large courtyards with twenty small courtyards inside, and more than three hundred rooms. The overall layout is rigorous and standardized but also full of changes.
Cultural Connotation: Various carving arts in the courtyard have profound meanings, such as auspicious patterns like the three stars of fortune, prosperity, and longevity, reflecting the Qiao family’s yearning for a better life and traditional Confucian cultural values.
Dexing Hall
Architectural Features: Its courtyard is relatively spacious, and some local characteristic plants are planted in the courtyard. The wood carvings on the building are delicate and show superb skills.
Cultural Connotation: It mainly shows the family style and family precepts of the Qiao family and some traditional folk activity scenes, such as wedding customs and birthday customs displays, making people feel a strong local cultural atmosphere.
Ningshou Hall
Architectural Features: The design of its eaves is unique. Components such as rain gutters are not only practical but also decorative. The partitions in the house are made of different materials and techniques, reflecting the Qiao family’s aesthetic taste and economic strength.
Cultural Connotation: It mainly shows the entrepreneurial history of the Qiao family. Through some old objects and graphic introductions, you can clearly understand how the Qiao family gradually developed and became an important representative of Jin merchants.
Qiao Family Compound Food Guide
Local Specialty Foods
Qixian Guanchang
Introduction: This is a traditional snack made mainly of buckwheat flour. In terms of production process, first mix the buckwheat flour into a paste, and then steam it in a steamer. After cooling, it becomes Guanchang. When eating, it is usually cut into small pieces or strips, and seasonings such as vinegar, garlic juice, and chili oil are added for seasoning. The taste is smooth and refreshing, with a delicious sour and spicy flavor and a unique fragrance of buckwheat.
Recommended Shop: “Guanchang Wang” on the old street of Qi County. The Guanchang made in his shop is authentic, the seasoning ratio is just right, and the price is affordable. A portion of Guanchang is usually about 5 8 yuan.
Pingyao Beef
Introduction: Although it is called Pingyao Beef, you can also taste the authentic one around Qiao Family Compound. It selects high-quality beef and follows a unique processing technology. The meat is tender and delicious, and rich in nutrition. It can be eaten directly or used as a side dish in other dishes.
Recommended Shop: “Jinxiang Beef Restaurant” near Qiao Family Compound scenic spot. Its Pingyao Beef has strict material selection and traditional marinating process, with an authentic taste. The price varies according to different weights and packages. Generally, 500 grams are between 80 120 yuan.
Taigu Cake
Introduction: Its main characteristics are sweet but not greasy, crisp but not crumbly. The main raw materials include flour, white sugar, sesame seeds, edible oil, etc. It is baked through multiple processes and has a strong sesame fragrance and a faint sweet fragrance, with a crispy and soft taste.
Recommended Shop: There is a “Taigu Cake Shop” in the scenic spot, which makes and sells Taigu Cakes on the spot. You can taste the freshly baked hot Taigu Cakes, which taste great. The price is about 10 15 yuan per bag (a bag contains 5 6 pieces).
Qiao Family’s Eight Bowls and Eight Dishes
Introduction: The eight bowls are mainly hot dishes, including Lama Meat, Hun Dun (a kind of stew), Braised Meat, Sweet Porridge, etc.; the eight dishes are mainly cold dishes, such as Braised Dried Meat, Shredded Chicken, Three Shreds, etc. This dish pays attention to the selection of materials and various cooking techniques, fully reflecting the local food culture and the hospitality of the Qiao family.
Recommended Shop: “Qiao Family Restaurant” near Qiao Family Compound. Its Qiao Family’s Eight Bowls and Eight Dishes are made authentically, and you can taste the traditional flavor. The price varies according to different set meal configurations. Generally, a table (for 4 6 people) is about 300 500 yuan.
Recommended Food Streets
Food Street in Qiao Family Compound Scenic Spot
Here, various local specialty foods and some common tourist catering are gathered. In addition to the above-mentioned specialty food shops, there are also stalls selling Qixian Suli Juice (freshly squeezed from Qixian Suli, a local specialty fruit, a cup is about 8 12 yuan) and other beverages, as well as shops selling various Jin-style pastries (such as Wenxi Zhu Bing, etc., the price is 10 20 yuan per box). You can taste various food snacks while strolling.
East Street Food Street in Qi County Town
If you have enough time, you can go to East Street Food Street in Qi County Town. There are more food options here. In addition to local specialties, there are also some restaurants with modern flavors. For example, there is a “Old Street Hot Pot” that combines local specialty ingredients with hot pot, which has a unique flavor. The per capita consumption is about 50 80 yuan. There is also a “Noodle Fragrance House” that operates various noodles. Its special Cagedou (a kind of special noodle) and other noodles are deeply loved by the locals. A bowl is priced at about 10 15 yuan.
