Cao Family Compound 曹家大院三多堂

About Cao Family Compound

Its surviving estate is arranged as three principal courtyard groups, with smaller courts nested inside them. The eastern, central and western portions developed through successive Ming and Qing phases, giving the residence a layered character. Looking at the relationship between these groups is more useful than treating the compound as one enormous hall or confusing it with merchant houses in Taigu's old streets.

The eastern courtyard was built during the Wanli era (万历) of the Ming dynasty. The central courtyard followed during the Shunzhi era (顺治) of the Qing dynasty, while the western courtyard and western garden date from the Kangxi era (康熙). The compound faces south and has three principal courtyards divided into fifteen smaller ones, containing 287 rooms in total. Its built area is nearly 4,000 square metres. In 2006, it was included in the sixth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level (全国重点文物保护单位).

What to look for

• The three main courtyard groups that give Sanduotang its recognisable arrangement.
• The smaller nested courtyards and the western garden portion of the estate.

Location & getting there

Getting to Cao Family Compound

Travel to Beiguang Village in Beiguang Township, Taigu District, for Cao Family Compound/Sanduotang. The older Donghou Street address belongs to a different urban context and should not guide this visit.