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.
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Voltage and socket
The standard voltage in China is 220V. The commonly used socket shape is as shown in the picture. Most luxury hotel rooms are equipped with universal sockets, and tourists can also rent socket adapters at the hotel front desk.
Make a phone call
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese fixed-line phone in China, it is necessary to dial the China area code (+86) and the city area code (e.g. Beijing +10) before the fixed-line phone number to be dialed.
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese mobile number, it is necessary to dial the Chinese area code (+86) before the mobile number of the person being called.
Emergency call:
Call the police: 110
Fire emergency: 119
Traffic police: 122
Emergency: 120
Purchase a SIM card for a Chinese mobile phone
At major airports serving as ports of entry in China, there are designated counters for communication service providers, such as China Mobile and China Unicom. Foreign tourists can purchase SIM cards for Chinese mobile phones simply by presenting their passports.
Traffic safety tips
In China, all vehicles drive on the right side of the road, and both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.
Health and medical tips
It is recommended to bring along commonly used medications (such as painkillers or gastrointestinal medications). If you need to take prescribed medication for an extended period, it is advisable to prepare sufficient quantities before departure and carry along doctor's certification documents, medical records, etc.
It is recommended to visit the international medical department of a general hospital or a foreign-funded hospital for treatment, as they generally provide medical services in English.
It is recommended to purchase relevant insurance before departure, and properly keep diagnosis certificates, outpatient medical records, fee lists, prescriptions, invoices, etc.
Cultural taboo
China is a multi-ethnic country, and there are significant differences in customs and habits among various ethnic groups. Especially when traveling in ethnic minority areas, it is important to pay attention to cultural taboos, such as taking off shoes when entering a Dai bamboo house, avoiding pork in Hui restaurants, and treating Buddhist statues, scriptures, and beads as sacred objects that must not be touched. It is recommended to listen carefully to the pre-trip introduction provided by the accompanying personnel and respect local culture and customs.
