Meiyuan Nanshan Ski Resort

Sanduo Hall Museum

Sanduo Hall is located in Beizhuang Village, about 5 kilometers southwest of Taigu County, and was established as a museum open to the public in October 1995.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, at the height of their prosperity, the powerful Shanxi merchant family Cao built magnificent residences, represented by four grand courtyards symbolizing “Prosperity, Wealth, Longevity, and Happiness.” The existing Sanduo Hall is one of these, taking the form of a “Longevity” character-shaped residence. The name “Sanduo” means “Abundance of Blessings, Children, and Longevity.” Originally built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, it covers a land area of 10,638 square meters with a construction area of 6,348 square meters. It consists of inner and outer residential sections, 15 smaller courtyards, and 277 rooms. The architecture resembles a fortress—grand in scale, blending northern and southern styles, solid and rustic, uniquely structured, and compactly laid out. It is quite representative among Shanxi merchant residences and truly reflects the economic strength of the Cao family.

The museum’s collection mainly includes Ming and Qing furniture, porcelain, and calligraphy works by Zhao Tieshan. The exhibition space spans 3,000 square meters. The permanent exhibits include “The Business History of the Cao Family,” which depicts the journey of the Shanxi merchant family Cao from humble beginnings and great success to eventual decline; “Exhibition of Ming and Qing Furniture,” showcasing over 400 pieces of furniture including the Qing Dynasty “Hundred Longevity Screen”; “Exhibition of Collected Porcelain,” displaying more than 200 pieces of Ming and Qing porcelain; as well as “Exhibition of Treasured Collections” and “Exhibition of Zhao Tieshan’s Calligraphy.” The museum has departments for administration, finance, general affairs, tour guiding, and security, and has published the book 《Sanduo Hall》 and the pictorial 《Shanxi Merchant Residences • The Cao Family》.