Located in Qi County, 20 km north of Pingyao, Qiao Family Courtyard is one of the most famous attractions in Pingyao Ancient Town of Shanxi Province. As the home of a powerful trading family with significant commercial influence, step into this courtyard, every visitor will go deeply into it at the first sight.

Originally built in 1756 in the Qing Dynasty, the Qiao Family Courtyard experienced twice renovation and once expansion. Covering an area of 8,274 square meters, with a construction area of 3,870 square meters, the Qiao Family consists of 6 main courtyards and 313 rooms totally. Also the compound is fortified behind a 10 meters high wall with battlements. So when step into the courtyard, visitors will be astonished to find that the complex was so large and magnificent. From the birds' eye view, the layout is in the shape of a Chinese character "囍" with the meaning of happiness.

As a hot tourist destination, Qiao Family Courtyard is not only for the large scale but also for the exquisite brick carving, wood carving and murals.
The Brick Carvings can be found on the wall and balusters in Qiao Family Courtyard. There are various subjects expressing different meanings: for example, the carving on the corbie-step doorstep of the third yard shows Kylin carrying a son to a mother figure which in the hope of having more male offspring.
The Wood Carvings in Qiao Family Courtyard are extremely lifelike and possess some kind of meaning. For example, on the main gate of the second yard there carved three gods of fortune, prosperity and longevity which represent the beautiful desires of human.
Beautiful murals under each eave is another highlight in Qiao Family Courtyard. Although exposed to the wind and sun for hundreds of years, they are still in bright shining. These paintings describe different subjects such as flowers, birds, clocks, etc.

In 1986, the Qiao Family Courtyard was changed into a folk culture museum. More than 2000 items are themed by Time and Season and displayed in 42 exhibition rooms. Basic Necessities of Life, Wedding and Funeral Ceremonies, Agriculture and Commercial Activities, etc, all the themed exhibitions reflect the folk culture of the Middle Shanxi Province in Ming and Qing Dynasty.

A visit to the Qiao Family Courtyard is actually a culture tour and a unique experience in China.