Shijia Courtyard is located at No. 47, Guyi Street, Yangliuqing Town, Xiqing District, Tianjin. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and one of the well-preserved Qing Dynasty residential complexes in North China, enjoying the reputation of "the First Mansion in North China". The scenic spot is famous for its magnificent architectural scale, exquisite brick, wood and stone carvings, and profound folk cultural heritage. Shijia Courtyard was first built in 1875, with a total area of about 10,000 square meters and a construction area of more than 7,200 square meters. It consists of 18 courtyards and as many as 278 houses. The overall architectural layout is rigorous and magnificent, reflecting the typical style of northern residential architecture in the Qing Dynasty, while integrating some characteristics of Jiangnan architecture. It is an important material carrier for studying Qing Dynasty architectural art and folk culture.
History and Culture
Shijia Courtyard is the former residence of the Shi family, one of the eight prominent families in Tianjin during the Qing Dynasty. The Shi family originated from Shandong Province and moved to Yangliuqing during the Ming Dynasty. Initially, they were engaged in water transport. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the Shi family began to operate grain stores, pawnshops, banks, etc., gradually accumulating huge wealth and becoming a wealthy and influential family in the local area.
The construction of Shijia Courtyard began during the period of Shi Xianting, the son of Shi Wancheng, and was continuously expanded by several generations including Shi Baoheng to form its current scale. In the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, the Shi family gradually declined, and the courtyard changed hands several times, once serving as the office of Yangliuqing Town Government and Tianjin Special Administrative Office, etc. In 1987, after large-scale renovations, Shijia Courtyard was opened to the public, becoming an important window to display the folk culture of Yangliuqing and the history of the Shi family. It also houses the Yangliuqing Folk Custom Museum, which collects a large number of cultural relics and materials related to Yangliuqing New Year paintings, paper-cutting, kites, etc., further enriching the historical and cultural connotation of the scenic spot.
Main Attractions
Opera House
The Opera House is one of the iconic buildings of Shijia Courtyard, located in the middle of the courtyard. It covers an area of about 120 square meters and can accommodate more than 200 people to watch performances at the same time. The architectural craftsmanship of the Opera House is extremely exquisite. The top adopts a gable and hip roof covered with green glazed tiles, and the ridge is decorated with exquisite beasts. The wood carvings inside the building are even more remarkable. The beams, brackets and sparrow braces are carved with patterns of flowers, birds, fish, insects, character stories, etc., which are lifelike. In the past, the Shi family often invited famous opera troupes to perform here. Now, traditional opera performances are also held regularly here, allowing visitors to feel the charm of traditional culture.
Shifu Garden
Shifu Garden is located at the rear of the courtyard, covering an area of about 2,000 square meters, and is a typical northern garden. The garden is equipped with pavilions, terraces, towers, rockeries, ponds, exotic flowers and rare herbs, with an ingenious layout, quite having the charm of Jiangnan gardens. There is a pavilion in the center of the garden, connected to the shore by a stone bridge. In summer, lotus flowers bloom in the pond, presenting a pleasant scene. The rockery in the garden is made of Taihu stones, with various shapes, and there are winding paths in between for visitors to walk and tour.
Yangliuqing Folk Custom Museum
Yangliuqing Folk Custom Museum is located in Shijia Courtyard, occupying several courtyards with an exhibition area of about 3,000 square meters. The museum displays a wealth of Yangliuqing folk cultural heritage, among which Yangliuqing New Year paintings are the most famous. The museum collects treasures of Yangliuqing New Year paintings from different periods, including ancient New Year paintings of the Qing Dynasty and works of the Republic of China. By displaying the production techniques and subject contents of New Year paintings, it allows visitors to deeply understand the charm of this folk art. In addition, the museum also displays folk crafts such as paper-cutting, kites, and clay sculptures in Yangliuqing area, as well as the restoration of folk cultural scenes such as local wedding customs and festivals, comprehensively showing the folk customs of Yangliuqing.
Main Hall
The Main Hall is one of the most important buildings in Shijia Courtyard. It is a place where the Shi family received distinguished guests and held important ceremonies. It has five bays in width, three bays in depth, a height of about 8 meters, and an area of about 150 square meters. The architectural style of the Main Hall is solemn and elegant. The beams and columns in the house are made of precious rosewood, and the ground is paved with bluestone slabs. Hanging in the hall are plaques such as "Zunmei Hall" and famous calligraphy and paintings, demonstrating the prominent status of the Shi family. The furniture in the Main Hall is also very exquisite, mostly Qing Dynasty rosewood furniture with fine workmanship and simple shapes.
Food
Yangliuqing Crispy Candy
Yangliuqing Crispy Candy is a local traditional specialty snack with a long history. It is made from sesame, white sugar, maltose, etc., through multiple processes, with a crispy and sweet taste that melts in the mouth. Yangliuqing Crispy Candy is in the shape of a long strip, with a white color and distinct layers, which is loved by locals and tourists. In the shops around Shijia Courtyard, you can often see exquisitely packaged Yangliuqing Crispy Candy, which is a good gift for relatives and friends.
Erduoyan Fried Cake
Erduoyan Fried Cake is a famous traditional snack in Tianjin, which can also be tasted in the food streets around Shijia Courtyard. It is made with glutinous rice flour as the skin, filled with red bean paste and other fillings, and fried. It is round in shape, golden in color, with a crispy outer skin and a soft and sweet inner filling. Erduoyan Fried Cake has a history of more than 100 years, with a unique production process, and is loved by the public. It is one of the must-try foods when visiting Tianjin.
Goubuli Steamed Stuffed Buns
Goubuli Steamed Stuffed Buns are a signature food in Tianjin and can be eaten in some restaurants near Shijia Courtyard. It uses flour as the skin and pork as the filling, with a special production process. The folds of the buns are even, up to more than 18, with a beautiful appearance, fresh and juicy taste, and a mellow flavor. Goubuli Steamed Stuffed Buns were founded in the Qing Dynasty and have a history of more than 160 years, being one of the representatives of Tianjin's food culture.
Ticket
The ticket is 30 yuan per person. As of July 22, 2025, no official WeChat public account has been found.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are from 9:00 to 17:00 every day, and admission stops at 16:30. It should be noted that the opening hours of the scenic spot may be adjusted during legal holidays. It is recommended that tourists check and confirm through official channels before traveling.
Tour Route
After entering Shijia Courtyard, visitors can first enter through the main gate and visit the Main Hall to feel the solemn and magnificent atmosphere of the Shi family; then go to the Opera House to appreciate the exquisite architecture and possible ongoing opera performances; then visit the Yangliuqing Folk Custom Museum to learn about the folk culture of Yangliuqing and folk arts such as Yangliuqing New Year paintings; then go to Shifu Garden to walk and rest in the garden and enjoy the garden scenery; finally, you can follow the paths of other courtyards to visit the living area of the Shi family, etc., to fully understand the architectural layout and historical culture of Shijia Courtyard. The entire tour process takes about 2-3 hours.
Transportation
- Bus: You can take bus lines such as 175, 672, 824, and 961 in Tianjin, get off at Yangliuqing Station, and walk for about 10 minutes to reach Shijia Courtyard.
- Subway: Currently, the nearest subway station to Shijia Courtyard is Caozhuang Station of Tianjin Metro Line 2. After exiting Caozhuang Station, you can transfer to a bus or take a taxi. The taxi distance is about 5 kilometers, and the drive takes about 15 minutes.
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Tianjin, you can go to Yangliuqing Town along Xiqing Road, Jintong Highway and other roads. There is a parking lot near Shijia Courtyard for self-driving tourists to park. The parking fee is 5 yuan per hour.
Must-visit Attractions
- Opera House: It has exquisite architectural craftsmanship and beautiful wood carvings, where you can enjoy traditional opera performances. It covers an area of about 120 square meters and can accommodate more than 200 people.
- Yangliuqing Folk Custom Museum: With an exhibition area of about 3,000 square meters, it collects a large number of folk cultural relics such as Yangliuqing New Year paintings, comprehensively displaying the folk culture of Yangliuqing.
- Shifu Garden: Covering an area of about 2,000 square meters, it combines northern gardens with Jiangnan charm, with cleverly arranged pavilions, rockeries and ponds, and pleasant scenery.
- Main Hall: It has five bays in width, three bays in depth, a height of about 8 meters, and an area of about 150 square meters. It is a place where the Shi family held important activities, with a solemn and elegant architecture and exquisite furnishings.
Tour Suggestions
- It is recommended to choose spring and autumn for the tour, as the weather is more suitable at this time, and the garden tour experience is better. Pay attention to sun protection in summer and keep warm in winter.
- It is recommended to learn some historical background and architectural knowledge of Shijia Courtyard before visiting to better understand the connotation of the scenic spot. You can obtain information through the scenic spot's official website or related books.
- There is a guide service in the scenic spot. Tourists who can afford it can choose to hire a guide. The guide fee is about 50 yuan per time, which can help you understand the stories of each attraction more deeply.
- You can bring a camera when visiting to record the exquisite architecture, garden scenery and folk exhibits.
- If you are interested in Yangliuqing New Year paintings, you can buy some in the shops around the scenic spot as souvenirs, with prices ranging from tens of yuan to hundreds of yuan.
Matters needing attention
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic spot, and tourists must abide by the environmental hygiene regulations of the scenic spot.
- Please take good care of the buildings, cultural relics, flowers and trees in the scenic spot. Do not touch, carve or pick them at will.
- The ground in some areas of the scenic spot may be slippery, especially in rainy days or winter. Please pay attention to safety and walk carefully when visiting.
- Please abide by the opening hours of the scenic spot when visiting, and do not stay after closing.
- When taking photos in the scenic spot, please do not use flash to avoid damaging cultural relics.
- There are many tourists in the scenic spot during holidays. It is recommended to travel at off-peak times or arrive at the scenic spot in advance to avoid crowds.