What to see at a Jinshang compound?

The mention of Jin merchants brings to mind the major Jin merchant compounds in Shanxi, with a long history and their family affairs known worldwide. For example, the Qiao family compound was officially opened to the public on November 1, 1986, and is now open to the public. Have ever wondered why so many people come to see the various Jinshang compound, they come here to see what? The most direct of course is to see the building. Architecture is divided into courtyard layout, house construction, decorative arts and other aspects. Each of these compounds covers an area of more than 5,000 to 6,000 square meters, each with more than 200 rooms, high walls and huge mansions, imposing. The Cao family compound is a "longevity" character, "five inside and five outside, the center of the sandwich over the hall"; "Qiao family compound" is a double "happy" character. is a double "happy" layout, "inside five outside three, through the heart of the building"; "Drainage House" is characterized by "the first after the main, courtyard sets courtyard ";" Wang family compound "covers an area of tens of thousands of square meters, the appearance of the high slopes leaning against the loess as the castle, inside the courtyard look at the front of the hall after the bedrooms in order ...... These compounds are decorated with exquisite stone, wood and brick carvings. "Architecture must have a map, have a map must be intentional, intentional must be auspicious", painted couplets, plaques, etc. are all over the place. These compounds in the architectural significance, in folk art and even aesthetic significance, are extraordinary, really worth a look. It is really worthwhile to see them. The layman will see the fun, the insider will see the doorway, and both will be rewarded. I heard that the local people of these compounds is not rare, why? Because such a compound in the Jinzhong area more than a few, counting up the fear of thousands. Now open a few of these compounds are Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings, can be preserved to date, mostly because of the use of schools, institutions. Nearby there are many similar compounds, the people you three I live in five, some have been demolished and rebuilt, some random repair, not easy to restore the original appearance. Local people have long been used to those carvings, colorful paintings, not surprised. However, the "compound" of the majority of tourists are still Shanxi, they come to see a piece of history, a distance from them is not far away, the history of their forefathers.