Qiao Family Compound Folk Museum

Qiao Family Compound Folk Museum

Located in the Qiao Family Compound in Qiaojiabao Village, Dongguan Town, Qi County, the museum was initiated in 1985 and opened to the public on November 1, 1986. The Qiao Family Compound, also known as Zhongzai Hall, was the residence of Qiao Zhiyong, a renowned commercial and financial capitalist of the Qing Dynasty. Its construction began in the 20th year of the Qianlong reign (1755), followed by two expansions, and by the 10th year of the Republic of China, it had evolved into a grand, fully enclosed castle-like architectural complex that embodies the unique style of northern Chinese residential architecture during the Qing Dynasty. The compound covers an area of 8,724 square meters, with a built-up area of 3,870 square meters. The layout of the courtyards forms a double "喜" (happiness) character, consisting of six main courtyards, encompassing 20 smaller courtyards and 313 rooms. The compound is enclosed by brick walls, with crenellated parapets on the upper level, watchtowers, and viewing pavilions. The entire complex features meticulous layout and refined architecture, with precisely fitted bricks and tiles, upturned eaves and bracket sets. Its brick carvings, wood carvings, and stone carvings boast rich patterns, exquisite craftsmanship, and profound symbolism, offering significant historical, artistic value, and deep cultural meaning, and is hailed as "a pearl in the history of northern Qing Dynasty architecture." In 2001, it was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council.

The museum has a storage area of 240 square meters and houses a collection of over 2,000 cultural relics, with important items including Ming and Qing porcelain, calligraphy and paintings, silk embroidery, and furniture. The exhibition space spans over 3,000 square meters, primarily showcasing the agricultural customs, seasonal festivals, clothing, food, housing, transportation, weddings and funerals, life rituals of the Han people in central Shanxi during the late Qing and early Republican periods, as well as the business history of the Qiao family.

The museum includes an office, research department, exhibition department, conservation department, security division, and finance office. Published papers and materials include "A Brief Discussion on the Residential Architectural Customs of Qi County" and "Folk Tourism Destination – Qiao Family Compound." Over 30 films and TV dramas have been shot here, including Raise the Red Lantern and Changjin Yuan Draft Bank. Since its opening, the museum has received over 9 million domestic and international visitors. In 1995, it was designated as a Provincial Patriotic Education Base by the Shanxi Provincial Party Committee and Government.

Further Reading:

· National Second-Class Museum of China