Raise the Red Lantern--Qiao Family Grand Courtyard

In 1990, Qiao Family Grand Courtyard gained its fame at home and abroad, thanks to the movie, "Raise the Red Lantern," by director Zhang Yimou.

The drama production team left behind several hundred red lanterns after the production was finished. Since then, these lanterns have been the most important decoration both in the Qiao Family Grand Courtyard and other Jin Shang courtyards.

The Qiao Family Courtyard lies in the beautiful and richly endowed Jinzhong basin of Shanxi.

The courtyard was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1711-99) in the Qing Dynasty, and occupied 8,724.8 square meters of land, consisting of six large yards and 20 small yards with 313 houses. It was repaired and rebuilt many times during the reigns of emperors Tongzhi and Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty and the beginning years of the Republic of China (1911-1949). It was an old Chinese residential courtyard that thrived for more than two centuries. When you look down at the overall yard above ground, it looks just like"喜喜"（double happiness in Chinese）.

The courtyard's three sides face the street, while the courtyard itself is completely surrounded by a 10-meter-high sealed water-milled brick wall. Yards and houses are linked with other yards and houses while the sidewalks and row upon row of roof s link up the battlements

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.

Getting there: From Taiyuan take a small bus to the village of Dongguan in Qi County (approximately 50 km or one hour). A day trip can include other sights in the area such as the Yantao Temple, the Nine Gorges Scenic Area, the Qu family compound, as well as the Ancient Ming and Qing streets which can be found in neighboring towns.