The Luo Family Courtyard in the Ancient Town of Qingcheng, Yuzhong, Gansu

The Luo Family Courtyard was built in the 16th year of the Republic of China, that is, in 1927, covering an area of 7590 square meters. It was the residence of Mr. Luo Xizhou, the owner of 'Yongshuncheng', one of the four water tobacco workshops in Qingcheng during the Republic of China era. The courtyard is composed of three parts: the east courtyard, the middle courtyard, and the west courtyard. The east courtyard is composed of the front courtyard, the middle courtyard, and the back courtyard. It is the water tobacco workshop of the Luo family, named 'Yongshuncheng'. This place was once the filming location for TV dramas such as 'The Old Persimmon Tree' and 'Snow Burial'. The middle courtyard is a quadrangle with a three-hall five-pavilion structure, that is, three rooms each in the upper and lower halls, and five rooms each in the east and west pavilions. The southeast side is a brick-carved gate, which is where the Luo family lives. The west courtyard is composed of two quadrangles, the front courtyard and the back courtyard. The courtyard has a garden, a pool, a corridor, and a pavilion. It is a place where the Luo family relaxes, entertains, and hosts merchants. The entire Luo Family Courtyard is interconnected by sixteen doors. It is uniquely designed, strictly laid out, simple and elegant, and exquisitely crafted. It has the architectural style of a Shanxi quadrangle and is one of the most intact ancient residential quadrangle communities in the Qingcheng area. In 2013, it was listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit.