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No.144, Beiyuanmen, Xi’an (near the Drum Tower)
One of the best-preserved traditional residential courtyards in Xi’an.
Gao’s Grand Courtyard in Xi’an will be a wonderful choice for you to appreciate ancient residences and explore local culture of paper-cutting and shadow puppetry. As one of the best-preserved traditional residential courtyards in Xi’an, Gao’s Grand Courtyard is a showcase of the elaborate architectural art in the Ming and Qing Dynasty.
Gao’s Grand Courtyard is the former Residence of Gao Yuesong, who is an official of the royal court in the Ming Dynasty. The whole family compound is brick and wood structure, showing the profound family culture of Gao’s. Even though there are almost 86 rooms here, but only 56 rooms are opened for tourists.
Chinese Name: 高家大院 （Gāojiā Dàyuàn）
Built: Ming Dynasty (during 14 years of the reign of Emperor Chongzhen)
Location: No.144, Beiyuanmen, Xi’an (near the Drum Tower)
Area: 4.2 acres (the total living area covers 2517 square meters)
Best Time to Visit: all year round
Opening Hours: 8:30 am-10:30 pm
Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Gao Yuesong, the owner of Gao Family Courtyard, took part in the imperial examination and appointed “Bangyan” by the emperor, which means the second-place winner. With 7 generations working for the royal court, Gao’s family was an official aristocratic family in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The construction of this family compound also shows people the family glory and spirit of Gao’s.
In 1999, Gao’s Grand Courtyard was listed as the key Historical Streets Protection of China and Norway. Invested by Norway, the family compound was renovated according to the original appearance, which won the UNESCO Asia Pacific regional cultural heritage award in 2002. In 2003, Gao’s Grand Courtyard was renovated completely with the help of Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Except for Ming and Qing architectures, you can also appreciate ancient furniture, residential couplets, delicate brick carvings, traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphy in Gao’s Grand Courtyard. Additionally, it’s available to join some activities like learning Chinese painting and paper-cutting, or you can enjoy the excellent show of shadow puppetry.
Gao’s Grand Courtyard is not only a masterpiece of traditional architecture but also an excellent place to experience the charm of Shaanxi’s intangible cultural heritage. At the Dafengtang Opera Stage, visitors can enjoy a variety of captivating traditional folk performances, including the vivid marionette (string puppet) shows, the soulful and powerful Hua Yin Lao Qiang singing, and the distinctive shadow puppetry. You can also try Shaanxi folk paper-cutting for a hands-on cultural experience.
Ticket Prices:
Performance Schedule:
As watching shadow puppetry is one of the top things to do in Xi’an, you’d better not miss it when visiting Gao’s Grand Courtyard. The show is usually about stories and legends in the folk, with the distinctive local music in Shanxi Province, presents vivid figures on the screen by using silhouette of different characters made of animal skin or carboard.
The artists will stay behind a white curtain, normally they manipulate characters for each story while singing lines of different stories in Shanxi Dialect, which makes shadow puppet show in the Gao’s Grand Courtyard distinctive from other places.
Besides, the music is also special, with popular local tune accompanied by some traditional percussion and string instruments. Even though it’s hard for you to understand what they’re singing, you can feel the story by each movements of the characters on the white curtain, which will be really impressive.
Hua Yin Lao Qiang is one of the oldest and most powerful forms of folk singing in China, with a history of over 2,000 years. Originating in Huayin, Shaanxi, this art form is known for its rugged and resonant vocals, often performed with minimal instrumental accompaniment such as the banhu (a two-stringed fiddle) and gongs.
In Gao’s Grand Courtyard, the performers’ passionate singing and vivid storytelling transport audiences back to ancient battlefields and legendary tales. The raw, unpolished vocal style combined with dramatic gestures gives the performance an unmatched intensity. Even if you don’t understand every word, the power of the music and the performers’ expressions leave a lasting impression.
The marionette (string puppet) shows at Gao’s Grand Courtyard are a delight for all ages. Puppeteers skillfully control intricate wooden figures to enact humorous skits, traditional operas, and legendary stories, all set to lively Shaanxi folk music. The craftsmanship of both the puppets and the manipulation techniques makes this an enchanting experience.
For those who prefer a more hands-on activity, the courtyard also offers workshops in Shaanxi folk paper-cutting. Visitors can learn how to create delicate designs using simple tools, a tradition that has been passed down through generations. This activity offers a unique opportunity to connect with the region’s cultural heritage through personal creativity.
Option 1 – In-depth Cultural Half-Day Tour (Approx. 3 hours)
Option 2 – Xi’an City Highlights in One Day
Metro: Metro Line 2, get off at Bell Tower Station
Bus: Bus No. 4, 7, 15, 32, 43, 45, 201, get off at Bell Tower Station
Tips: There are more buses can get to Gao’s Grand Courtyard, just choose the suitable one according to your location.
From $ 323
From $ 344
From $ 735
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