Cao Family Compound

Historically, the businessmen of Jin (short for Shanxi Province) have played a crucial role in Chinese commerce. They have both contributed greatly to its development and written extensively about their achievements. Pre-eminent among these wealthy businessmen is the Cao's Family. The Cao's Family business, at the height of power and splendor in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), owned more than 640 firms and 37,000 employees. It had an estimated worth of 12 million taels of silver, the tael being a unit of currency used in traditional China. The business had branches and connection in Japan, Moscow, Paris and London. A visit to Cao's Compound will give you insight into their extraordinary achievements.

The Cao's Family first began trading in bean curd and other commodities at the end of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Gradually, the business accumulated capital, which allowed the family to erect an estate comprised of several great houses, which became known as the Cao's Compound. The Compound is also known as Sanduo Hall, Sanduo meaning three mores: more good fortune, more longevity and more children. It is located in the northern part of Beiguang Village, 5 kilometers (about 3.1 miles) southwest of Taigu County, and 60 kilometers (about 37.3 miles) from Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. With a history stretching back more than 400 years, the Cao's Compound covers an area of 10,638 square meters (about 12,723 square yards). It is remarkable for its noble, simple and unpretentious construction. It is built around three large courtyards, which connect three 3-tiered, 17-meter (about 18.6 yards) high buildings that house a total of 277 rooms. These structures are in the architectural style of Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China (1912-1949).