Gao Grand Courtyard

The Gao Grand Courtyard is located at No. 144 on Beiyuanmen Street in Xi’an. It was built in the Chongzhen Period of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and initially functioned as the former residence of Gao Yuesong, the founder of China’s prominent Gao family. It covers an area of 2,800 square meters with a construction area of 2,527 square meters, and is actually a masonry-timber structured quadrangle dwelling with a total of 86 rooms, 56 of which are open to the public. The Gao Grand Courtyard was listed as a Key Historical Street-Protected Item of China and Norway in 1999, and it became a teaching base for Norwegian and Chinese postgraduates majoring in architecture.

The main buildings in the courtyard are in the old Ming style with “family culture” as the main themes. Indeed, the rich traditional Chinese furniture, brick carvings, and elegant couplets on the columns bring visitors back to the grand Ming and the Qing (1616-1911) periods and exemplify the might of the great Gao family. At the same time, visitors can appreciate the old photos hung on the walls, which are very precious for their historic value. The courtyard also features a painting studio which had the primary purpose of creating a scholarly and family atmosphere rather than for making a profit; today, most of the painters are college students from the Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts. However, visitors may practice their artistic hand with the guidance of the professional painters in the studio in order to experience the charm of traditional Chinese painting art in person. As well, a professional photography studio is available in the in the Gao Grand Courtyard, where people can have a photo taken of themselves in ancient costumes as a memento of their visit.

From time to time, unique Chinese shadow plays are performed in the courtyard on an ancient stage, which is generally loved by visitors from both at home and abroad. Spectators may enjoy the dramatic fighting and killing spectacles of usually more than two shadows during the performances, delightful shows which are very vivid and comical as they move along with music. Famous plays available include “Borrowing Water,” “A Jewel Box,” “Mourning for the Dead,” and “Selling Miscellaneous Articles.” In addition, examples of Shaanxi Opera, puppet shows, and ancient singing and dancing performances are regularly available.

The courtyard’s focus on educating the public about local folk customs is further promoted in the series of activities offered such as “Spending the Spring Festival in the Courtyard” and “Back to the Lantern Festival 400 Year Ago.” When the winter approaches, a number of red lanterns are hung from the courtyard’s teahouse during which the charcoal basin flames brilliantly, and visitors are invited to taste tea, appreciate the snows, and enjoy recreational time with the artists.

Background Information
Gao Yuesong was born in Zhenjiang of the Jiangsu Province and earned 2nd place at the palace examination during the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty. Due to his hard work and persistence, Yuesong later became China’s prime minister, and the courtyard was bestowed to him by Emperor Chongzhen. From the 14th year of the Chongzhen Period of the Ming Dynasty to the 10th year of the Tongzhi Period of the Qing Dynasty, Yuesong’s offspring continued to successively secure themselves in a wide range of official positions for 7 generations.

Address: Famen Town in the north of Fufeng County, Xi’an
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 6:30 pm
Bus routes: 229, 215, 323, 409, 918, 600, and 923