The Shi Family Grand Courtyard is located at No. 47, Guyī Street, Yangliuqing Town, Xiqing District, Tianjin. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and one of the best-preserved Qing Dynasty residential building complexes in North China, enjoying the reputation of "the finest residence in North China." The scenic area is renowned for its magnificent architectural scale, exquisite brick, wood, and stone carvings, and profound folk cultural heritage. The Shi Family Grand Courtyard was first built in 1875, covering a total area of approximately 10,000 square meters, with a building area of more than 7,200 square meters. It consists of 18 courtyards and as many as 278 rooms. The overall architectural layout is rigorous and magnificent, embodying the typical style of Qing Dynasty northern residential architecture while also incorporating some characteristics of Jiangnan architecture. It is an important physical carrier for studying Qing Dynasty architectural art and folk culture.
History and Culture
The Shi Family Grand Courtyard is the former residence of the Shi family, one of the eight prominent families of Tianjin in the Qing Dynasty. The Shi family originally came from Shandong and moved to Yangliuqing during the Ming Dynasty. They initially made their living through water transport. By the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the Shi family began operating grain stores, pawnshops, and banks, gradually accumulating enormous wealth and becoming a local prominent and wealthy family.
The construction of the Shi Family Grand Courtyard began during the time of Shi Xianting, son of Shi Wancheng, and was continuously expanded by several generations, including Shi Baoheng, before reaching its current scale. In the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China period, the Shi family gradually declined, and the courtyard changed hands several times. It successively served as the Yangliuqing Town Office, the Tianjin Prefectural Office, and other office locations. In 1987, after large-scale restoration, the Shi Family Grand Courtyard opened to the public, becoming an important window for displaying Yangliuqing folk culture and the history of the Shi family. It also houses the Yangliuqing Folk Culture Museum, which has collected a large number of cultural relics and materials related to Yangliuqing New Year pictures, paper-cutting, kites, and more, further enriching the historical and cultural connotations of the scenic area.
Main Attractions
Theater Stage
The theater stage is one of the landmark buildings of the Shi Family Grand Courtyard. It is located in the central part of the courtyard, covering an area of approximately 120 square meters and capable of accommodating more than 200 spectators at the same time. The architectural craftsmanship of the theater stage is extremely exquisite. Its top features a hipped-gable roof covered with green glazed tiles, and the roof ridge is decorated with finely crafted roof figures. The wood carvings inside the building are truly outstanding, with patterns of flowers, birds, fish, insects, and figure stories carved on the beams and sparrow braces, appearing remarkably lifelike. In the past, the Shi family often invited famous opera troupes to perform here. Today, traditional opera performances are also held here regularly, allowing visitors to experience the charm of traditional culture.
Shi Family Garden
The Shi Family Garden is located at the rear of the courtyard, covering an area of approximately 2,000 square meters. It is a typical northern garden. The garden is fully equipped with pavilions, terraces, towers, rockeries, ponds, and rare flowers and plants. The layout is ingenious and carries a distinct charm of Jiangnan gardens. In the center of the garden stands a lakeside pavilion connected to the shore by a stone bridge. In summer, lotus flowers bloom in the pond, creating a pleasant scene. The rockeries in the garden are piled with Taihu stones in various shapes, and winding paths are set among them for visitors to stroll along.
Yangliuqing Folk Culture Museum
The Yangliuqing Folk Culture Museum is located within the Shi Family Grand Courtyard, occupying multiple courtyards, with an exhibition area of approximately 3,000 square meters. The museum displays rich Yangliuqing folk cultural heritage, with Yangliuqing New Year pictures being the most famous. The museum houses precious Yangliuqing New Year pictures from different periods, including ancient prints from the Qing Dynasty and works from the Republic of China period. By displaying the production techniques and thematic content of the New Year pictures, it allows visitors to gain an in-depth understanding of the charm of this folk art. In addition, the museum also displays folk handicrafts from the Yangliuqing area, such as paper-cutting, kites, and clay figurines, as well as restored scenes of local wedding customs, festivals, and other folk cultural practices, comprehensively showcasing the folk customs of Yangliuqing.
Main Hall
The Main Hall is one of the most important buildings in the Shi Family Grand Courtyard. It was the place where the Shi family received distinguished guests and held important ceremonies. It is five bays wide, three bays deep, about 8 meters high, and covers an area of approximately 150 square meters. The architectural style of the Main Hall is solemn and elegant. The beams and columns inside are made of precious mahogany, and the floor is paved with bluestone slabs. Plaques such as "Zunmei Tang" and calligraphy and paintings by famous people hang in the hall, highlighting the prominent status of the Shi family. The furniture and furnishings in the Main Hall are also very particular, mostly Qing Dynasty mahogany furniture, finely crafted and simple in shape.
Food
Yangliuqing Crispy Candy
Yangliuqing Crispy Candy is a traditional local specialty snack with a long history. It is made from sesame, white sugar, maltose, and other ingredients through multiple processes. It has a crispy, sweet taste and melts in the mouth. Yangliuqing Crispy Candy is rectangular in shape, white in color, and clearly layered, and is deeply loved by local people and tourists. In the shops around the Shi Family Grand Courtyard, beautifully packaged Yangliuqing Crispy Candy can often be seen, making it an excellent gift for relatives and friends.
Erduoyan Fried Cake
Erduoyan Fried Cake is a famous traditional snack in Tianjin and can also be tasted in the food streets around the Shi Family Grand Courtyard. It uses glutinous rice flour as the skin and is filled with red bean paste and other fillings, then fried. It is round in shape and golden in color, with a crispy outer layer and a soft, glutinous, sweet filling. Erduoyan Fried Cake has a history of more than a hundred years and a unique production process. It is deeply loved by the public and is one of the must-try foods when visiting Tianjin.
Goubuli Baozi
Goubuli Baozi is a signature delicacy of Tianjin and can be eaten in some restaurants near the Shi Family Grand Courtyard. It uses flour as the skin and pork and other ingredients as the filling. Through a special production process, the pleats of the buns are evenly shaped, numbering more than 18. They are beautiful in appearance, fresh and juicy in taste, and rich in flavor. Goubuli Baozi was founded in the Qing Dynasty and has a history of more than 160 years. It is one of the representatives of Tianjin's food culture.
Tickets：
Tickets are 30 yuan per person. As of July 22, 2025, no official WeChat public account has been found.
Opening Hours：
Opening hours are from 9:00 to 17:00 every day, with last entry at 16:30. It should be noted that the opening hours of the scenic area may be adjusted during statutory holidays. Visitors are advised to check and confirm through official channels before traveling.
Suggested Tour Route：
After entering the Shi Family Grand Courtyard, visitors can first enter through the main gate and visit the Main Hall to experience the solemn and imposing atmosphere of the Shi family; then go to the Theater Stage to appreciate the exquisite architecture and possibly ongoing opera performances; next, visit the Yangliuqing Folk Culture Museum to learn about Yangliuqing folk culture and folk arts such as Yangliuqing New Year pictures; afterward, go to the Shi Family Garden to stroll and rest in the garden and enjoy the scenery; finally, follow the paths of other courtyards to visit the residential areas of the Shi family and gain a comprehensive understanding of the architectural layout and historical culture of the Shi Family Grand Courtyard. The entire tour takes about 2 to 3 hours.
Transportation：
Bus: You can take Tianjin city bus routes such as 175, 672, 824, and 961, get off at Yangliuqing Station, and walk about 10 minutes to reach the Shi Family Grand Courtyard.
Subway: At present, the nearest subway station to the Shi Family Grand Courtyard is Caozhuang Station on Tianjin Metro Line 2. After leaving Caozhuang Station, you can transfer to a bus or take a taxi. The taxi distance is about 5 kilometers, and the ride takes about 15 minutes.
Self-driving: Starting from downtown Tianjin, you can travel to Yangliuqing Town along roads such as Xiqing Road and Jintong Highway. There is a parking lot near the Shi Family Grand Courtyard, making it convenient for self-driving visitors to park. The parking fee is 5 yuan per hour.
Must-Visit Attractions：
Theater Stage: Exquisite architectural craftsmanship and fine wood carvings, with traditional opera performances available for enjoyment. It covers an area of about 120 square meters and can accommodate more than 200 people.
Yangliuqing Folk Culture Museum: With an exhibition area of about 3,000 square meters, it houses a large number of folk cultural relics such as Yangliuqing New Year pictures and comprehensively displays Yangliuqing folk culture.
Shi Family Garden: Covering an area of about 2,000 square meters, it combines northern garden style with Jiangnan charm. The pavilions, terraces, towers, rockeries, and ponds are ingeniously arranged, and the scenery is pleasant.
Main Hall: Five bays wide, three bays deep, about 8 meters high, and covering an area of about 150 square meters. It was the place where the Shi family held important activities. The architecture is solemn and elegant, and the furnishings are particular.
Travel Tips：
It is recommended to visit in spring and autumn, when the weather is more suitable and the garden experience is better. In summer, pay attention to sun protection, and in winter, keep warm.
Before visiting, it is recommended to learn some historical background and architectural knowledge about the Shi Family Grand Courtyard so as to better understand the connotations of the scenic area. Information can be obtained through the scenic area's official website or related books.
The scenic area provides guide services. Visitors who are able may choose to hire a guide. The guide fee is about 50 yuan per time, allowing for a deeper understanding of the stories of each attraction.
When visiting, you may bring a camera to record the exquisite architecture, garden scenery, and folk exhibits.
If you are interested in Yangliuqing New Year pictures, you can buy some as souvenirs in the shops around the scenic area, with prices ranging from several dozen yuan to several hundred yuan.
Precautions：
Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Visitors must comply with the scenic area's environmental hygiene regulations.
Please protect the buildings, cultural relics, flowers, and trees in the scenic area. Do not touch, carve, or pick them at will.
Some areas in the scenic area may have slippery floors, especially on rainy days or in winter. Please pay attention to safety and walk carefully during your visit.
Please observe the opening hours of the scenic area during your visit and do not stay after closing.
When taking photos in the scenic area, please note not to use flash, so as not to damage cultural relics.
During holidays, there are many visitors in the scenic area. It is recommended to travel at off-peak times or arrive early to avoid crowding.