Shanxi - a passionate journey to the Yellow River
Historically, Shanxi was a major center for business growth, particularly during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), with China's fledgling banking system initially growing in Pingyao before spreading across other parts of China.
Through parts of the province, large courtyard mansions, some of which I fortunately visited remain as testimony to their wealth. 42 Kilometres from Pingyao sits the Qiao Family Courtyard also known as Zai Zhong Tang whose owner Qiao Zhiyong was a prominent financier during the Qing Dynasty. Indeed walking through just some of its 313 rooms and 6 prominent courtyards it is easy to imagine the wealth of that period. So grand that its main entrance was created in the form of the gates of an older Chinese city. Surrounded by a 10 metre tall green brick wall the compound, represents a northern China style of dwelling. Both exquisite and well-preserved, the many major films shot includes a classic of Chinese cinema, 'Raise the Red Lantern'. An excellent and indeed popular place to visit it is indeed a venue to learn and study more of domestic folk customs.
