Before going to Xi'an, an ancient architecture expert among my friends told me that I had the opportunity to go to Xi'an."Beiyuanmen "Former Residence of Gao Songsong, No. 144"Go and have a look. It is said that there are not many compound buildings in Shaanxi, but this compound was built in the Ming Dynasty and is different from the typical building of the compound in Shanxi. Since I stayed at the Bell Tower North Branch of Home Inn Express in Xi'an for a few days, which is very close to Huimin Street, and the Gaojia Courtyard is hidden among the snack bars on Huimin Street and is easy to find.

It is recommended that everyone go early in the morning. There are fewer group tourists. When you have almost finished visiting, you can watch the shadow puppet show with northwest characteristics. Admission to the Gaojia Courtyard is 15 yuan, and no one can be exempted. But people over the age of 65 and students can get half a ticket for 7.5 yuan. You need to purchase additional tickets to watch the shadow puppet show.

The facade of the Gao family compound is not big, and the layout inside is not big, but it is not small either. It was built during the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty. In the 10th year of Tongzhi of the Qing Dynasty (1871), Gao Jiazi became the top runner of Gao Yuesong High School, and was awarded the title of "Top Runner" and "plaque. In fact, this is a brick and wood courtyard with three courtyards in the north and south, 81 houses and a living area of 2800 square meters.

In 1999 AD, the compound was listed as "Protection projects of key historical districts in China and Norway", China and Norway cooperated to renovate the Gao family compound. In 2003 AD, the Art Department of Xi'an Chinese Academy of Painting was responsible for carrying out the most complete renovation of the compound in history. It reproduces the former appearance of the Gao family compound. It is also listed as the Department of Architecture at the University of Trom in Norway, the Department of Architecture at Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, and the research base of the Chang' an Historical and Cultural City Research Institute.

The brick carvings in the compound are very elaborate, and the couplets, Ming and Qing furniture, etc. are magnificent. There is also a stage in the compound, where folk art performances such as puppets and shadow puppets are regularly performed. It is a good place to understand Shaanxi folk customs. What is particularly interesting is that there are several talking parrots in the courtyard, which can indeed imitate a few simple words and make people laugh.