Travel Around Shanxi Series (14) - Qixian·Zhaoyu Ancient City

New things have their own advantages, and old things have their own beauty. Those bricks, houses, cups, and food boxes from ancient times that have fortunately been preserved to this day, and we are fortunate to still be able to see, feel, and appreciate them, exude a unique charm that stands the test of time. They are loved by you, them, and us who come here with admiration. The Jin merchants, renowned worldwide for their business acumen, not only had unique business practices but also built distinctive Jin merchant courtyards and ancient cities, such as Wang Family Courtyard, Qiao Family Courtyard, and Pingyao Ancient City. Within the high-walled courtyards of gray bricks and tiles, there are exquisitely carved screen walls, winding alleys, and picturesque gardens... The ingenious craftsmanship will whet your appetite and then leave you pleasantly surprised and enlightened. This is the beauty of northern courtyards: subtle and silent, refreshing and unforgettable. For example, the Zhaoyu Ancient City before us, which was first built during the Taihe period of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, has a history of more than 1,500 years. It flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties due to the prosperity of tea merchants, forming a trend of "living in the countryside, setting up shops in Zhaoyu, and trading with the world." The Zhaoyu Ancient City is rectangular, with a missing corner in the southeast direction, resembling the gauze cap worn by ancient officials, hence the name "Gauze Cap City." The entire city layout centers around a crossroad, with four main streets running vertically and horizontally, south to north, and east to west, supplemented by twenty-eight streets and alleys crisscrossing the city. Honors received: In January 1994, it was approved by the State Council as a National Historical and Cultural City. In 2011, "Qixian Jin Merchant Old Street" was rated as "China's Historical and Cultural Street." In December 2015, the Chinese Commercial History Society awarded Qixian the title of "Capital of Tea Merchants on the Tea Road." In March 2019, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage included the "Tea Road" in the "China World Cultural Heritage Tentative List." At the same time, 13 tea merchant sites in Qixian were also included in the "China World Cultural Heritage Tentative List." Encounter the beautiful northern courtyards, savor the emotions brewed by time, and witness the brilliance of China through the vicissitudes of wind and snow. This is Qixian, Zhaoyu Ancient City. 📍TIPS: 📌Location: Just search for Zhaoyu Ancient City in the navigation. (Qu Family Courtyard is within Zhaoyu Ancient City, with an additional charge for the courtyard). 💰Tickets: Free 🅿️Parking: You can park for free in the parking spaces marked on both sides of the road at the main entrance of Zhaoyu Ancient City. ⏰️Duration: 1-2 hours 💚Currently open attractions: 🔺Zhaoyu Ancient City. Since Zhaoyu Ancient City is still under continuous renovation, the attractions within the ancient city are partially open: 🔺Qu Family Courtyard (Jin Merchant Culture Museum) 🔺Changyu Tea House (Tea Road Museum) 🔺Former Residence of Qu Benqiao Additionally, throughout Zhaoyu Ancient City, you can see ancient Ming and Qing buildings everywhere. Friends interested in historical buildings might as well come and see its legacy. 🩵Nearby attractions: The most famous attraction in Qixian is undoubtedly the Qiao Family Courtyard. This Jin merchant residence records the glorious history of the Qiao family and is renowned both domestically and internationally with the saying "See the Forbidden City for royal palaces, see the Qiao Family for civilian residences." It is an unparalleled art treasure worth seeing. Qu Family Courtyard - Qiao Family Courtyard, a 22-minute drive, can be visited in one day.