Gao Family Compound

Gao Family Compound is a Ming Dynasty official residence located in the middle section of Huimin Street (Beiyuanmen) in Xi'an. It is one of the most well preserved Han residential courtyards in Xi'an. It is not only an ancient building, but also a living Guanzhong residential cultural experience hall.

Historical background:

The courtyard was first built during the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty. Its owner, Gao Yuesong, was ranked second in the national imperial examination during the Chongzhen period. The plaque hanging on the lintel with the words "ranked second in the imperial examination" bears witness to this. The Gao family has been an official for seven generations, and this residence is the ancestral home of their family.

Architectural layout: 

It is a brick and wood structure quadrangle with three courtyards and four entrances, which fully preserves the hall, main hall, wing rooms, embroidery tower, study room, ancestral hall, etc. The layout is rigorous, and it is a "living fossil" for studying the official style residential buildings in the Guanzhong area during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

This is one of the few places in Xi'an where you can enjoy authentic intangible cultural heritage performances inside ancient buildings. When purchasing tickets, you can choose a package that includes different performances.
Huayin Laoqiang: Known as the "rock of the Loess Plateau", it performs rough, bold, and powerful folk art in its original form.
Huaxian Shadow Puppetry: Performed in a dedicated shadow puppetry hall, and after the performance, you can personally experience and operate shadow puppetry backstage, which is full of fun.
Heyang puppetry: a Shaanxi style puppet show with exquisite skills.