The Qiao Family Compound, located in Qi County, Shanxi Province, is a magnificent example of Qing Dynasty merchant architecture. Built in 1756, this 10,637 m² complex features 313 rooms arranged in a double-"喜" (joy) layout, symbolizing prosperity. Famous for its role in _Raise the Red Lantern_, it showcases Jin merchant culture and intricate carvings.
Pingyao Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, is China's best-preserved 14th-century Han Chinese walled town. Founded during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BCE) and expanded in 1370, it showcases Ming-Qing urban planning with 6.4 km of intact walls, 4,000 traditional dwellings, and the birthplace of China's first draft bank (_Rishengchang_). Known as the "Wall Street of Imperial China," its turtle-shaped layout reflects Confucian cosmology.
