Gao’s Grand Courtyard sits on Beiyuanmen Street, one of the main streets in the busy Muslim Quarter. You can easily stop by for a visit while you’re wandering through the Muslim Quarter. The courtyard is small; about an hour is usually enough if you want to see traditional architecture and local folk arts.
Inside, traditional courtyard buildings feature intricate brick and wood carvings. Depending on the day, you may also catch a shadow puppet show or Huayin Lao Qiang performance, or join a paper-cutting or Chinese calligraphy activity.
Fast Facts about Gao’s Grand Courtyard
- Chinese Name: 高家大院
- English Name: Gao’s Grand Courtyard / Gao Family Courtyard
- Address: 144 Beiyuanmen Street, Lianhu District, Xi’an
- Opening Hours: about 9:00–22:30 (last admission at 22:00)
- Ticket Price: CNY 15 (about US$ 2)
- Recommended Visit Duration: About 30 minutes to 5 hours, depending on whether you watch a performance or join an activity
- Main Highlights: Traditional courtyard houses, brick and wood carvings, shadow puppetry, Huayin Lao Qiang, paper-cutting, and Chinese calligraphy
Content Preview
- What to See & Do
- Useful Information: Tickets, Time, and Transport
- Add It to Your Itinerary
- FAQs
- Explore Gao’s Grand Courtyard with China Xian Tour
What to See & Do at Gao’s Grand Courtyard
Gao’s Grand Courtyard was once the home of Gao Yuesong, who ranked second in the Qing Dynasty imperial examination. The residence was first built in 1641 and has been restored several times over the years. Even so, much of its old courtyard layout remains, along with some furnishings from the Ming and Qing periods.
The residence is more than its architecture. It also showcases local folk arts such as shadow puppetry, Huayin Lao Qiang, and paper-cutting.
Explore a Traditional Xi’an Courtyard
The residence is made up mainly of traditional brick-and-wood buildings, with 86 rooms in total, only some of which are open to visitors.
As you make your way through the courtyard, you’ll see the rooms once used by the Gao family, along with intricate details carved into the doors, windows, brickwork, and woodwork.
Walking through an old residence gives you a much better sense of what life in Xi’an was actually like than photos or exhibits ever could.
Watch Shaanxi Shadow Puppetry
Shadow puppetry is best things to discover in this spot.
During the show, there will be performers moving the puppets behind a white screen, accompanied by local music and singing. You may not understand the lyrics, but that doesn’t make the show hard to follow. The puppets’ movements, the music, and the colorful scenes tell much of the story on their own.
Typical show times: Shadow puppetry usually runs from morning to evening, with about one show scheduled per hour. Each show lasts around 15–30 minutes. Check the schedule on the day of your visit, as show times may change.
Enjoy a Performance of Huayin Lao Qiang
Different from the delicate shadow puppetry, Huayin Lao Qiang has a much louder and more energetic style.
This traditional folk performance from Shaanxi is known for its powerful vocals and strong rhythm. It is sometimes described as the “rock and roll of Shaanxi.”
Huayin Lao Qiang is usually performed less frequently than shadow puppetry. If you want to catch a performance, check its schedule when you arrive.
Make Your Own Paper-Cutting Design
If you feel like giving it a try yourself, Gao’s Grand Courtyard also offers traditional paper-cutting. An instructor will guide you through a simple design, and the whole activity takes about 30 minutes.
Try Writing Chinese Calligraphy
If calligraphy is available on the day of your visit, consider taking a session.
You don’t need to know Chinese to join a class. With help from an instructor or staff member, you’ll learn how to hold the brush, practice a few strokes, and write some simple Chinese characters. Trying it yourself is more engaging than simply looking at calligraphy works, and you can take your own piece of calligraphy home as a souvenir.
Useful Information for Visiting Gao’s Grand Courtyard
Gao’s Grand Courtyard Ticket Price
Admission: CNY 15 (about US$ 2.2)
Admission + shadow puppetry: CNY 30 (about US$ 4.5)
Performances and activities such as Huayin Lao Qiang, paper-cutting, and calligraphy may cost extra. There may also be combination tickets. Available activities and their ticket prices may change, so check at the ticket counter on the day of your visit.
How Long to Spend at Gao’s Grand Courtyard
The courtyard is not very large, so you won’t need much time to explore it.
- Courtyard only: about 30–45 minutes
- Courtyard + shadow puppetry: about 1 hour
- Photos + performances + cultural activities: about 1–1.5 hours
There are steps, raised thresholds, and narrow passages inside, so take a little extra care if you’re traveling with young children or older adults.
How to Get to Gao’s Grand Courtyard
Gao’s Grand Courtyard is located at No. 144 Beiyuanmen in the heart of the Muslim Quarter. It is also within walking distance of the Drum Tower.
Take Metro Line 2 or Line 6 to Zhonglou Station. From the station, walk toward the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Muslim Quarter. Once you reach Beiyuanmen, continue walking for about 10 minutes, and you’ll arrive at Gao’s Grand Courtyard.
If it’s your first time here, save 高家大院 on your phone. It’ll make things easier when you’re checking the map or asking someone for directions.
Best Time to Visit Gao’s Grand Courtyard
Daytime is better for seeing the architecture and taking photos, as natural light brings out the details of the courtyard.
If you plan to explore the Muslim Quarter in the evening, consider visiting Gao’s Grand Courtyard in the late afternoon. The courtyard feels different as the light fades, with the old buildings taking on a quieter evening atmosphere. It’s a nice stop before heading over to the Muslim Quarter for dinner.
How to Add Gao’s Grand Courtyard into Your Xi’an Itinerary
Half-Day Old City Tour
Sajinqiao → Muslim Quarter → Gao’s Grand Courtyard → Bell Tower → Drum Tower
Start with breakfast at Sajinqiao, then walk toward the Muslim Quarter. Gao’s Grand Courtyard is on Beiyuanmen, so it’s easy to stop by for a performance before continuing to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower.
The Great Mosque of Xi’an also fits naturally into this part of the route, so there’s no need to make a separate trip later.
One-Day Classic Xi’an Tour
Terracotta Warriors → Xi’an City Wall → Muslim Quarter + Gao’s Grand Courtyard → Bell Tower and Drum Tower (for night views)
Start your morning with the Terracotta Warriors, and then return to the city center for Xi’an City Wall. Enter at Yongning Gate and spend some time walking or cycling along the wall before heading to the Muslim Quarter.
If the timing works with the performance schedule, stop at Gao’s Grand Courtyard while exploring the Muslim Quarter. Afterwards, continue exploring the area, and walk to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower to see them lit up at night.
This is a fairly full day. If you spend more time at the Terracotta Warriors or on the Xi’an City Wall, you can skip Gao’s Grand Courtyard. There’s no need to rush just to fit in one more attraction.
Discover the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors and cycle along China's best-preserved ancient City Wall, then explore the hidden Great Mosque tucked within the bustling Muslim Quarter.
FAQs about Gao’s Grand Courtyard
Is Gao’s Grand Courtyard Worth Visiting?
When you’re wandering through the Muslim Quarter, Gao’s Grand Courtyard is a nice little detour, especially if traditional architecture, shadow puppetry, and local Shaanxi culture are your thing.
If you are short on time in Xi’an, prioritize major attractions such as the Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an City Wall, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Do You Need to Book Ahead for Gao’s Grand Courtyard?
Generally, you can buy tickets at the gate. Regular performances like shadow puppetry can also be watched without advance booking.
For paper-cutting or calligraphy, it’s worth checking ahead to see if the activity is available that day and whether a reservation is required.
Explore Gao’s Grand Courtyard with China Xian Tour
Gao’s Grand Courtyard is an easy stop to add to a walking tour of the old city.
When wandering through the Muslim Quarter, you can drop by the courtyard to see the traditional buildings. If time allows, consider watching shadow puppetry or enjoying a Huayin Lao Qiang performance for a closer look at the traditional folk culture in Xi’an.
If you’d like to visit several attractions in the old city on the same day, China Xian Tour can help plan the route around the performance times and your hotel location, and arrange an English-speaking guide.
