Gao Family Mansion (Bangyan) (高家大院榜眼及第)

At a glance

• Where it is: 北院门144号, 莲湖区, Xi'an（回民街 area, north of the Drum Tower）
• How long to allow: 1 hour+
• Ticket & access: Admission ¥15; ¥30 if you include the shadow-puppet show. Free for 65+ (with ID), children under 1.2 m, serving soldiers and disabled visitors. Hours ~09:00–22:30 (last

What it is

The Gao Family Mansion (高家大院) at 北院门144号 is a courtyard house on Xi'an's Muslim Quarter (回民街) recognised by the imperial '榜眼及第' tablet, granted after Gao Yuesong placed 'bangyan' (second in the palace examination) in the Qing. Seven generations of the Gao served as officials, and the complex is now also the Xi'an Gao Family classical-costume museum. It is a quiet, well-preserved courtyard in the midst of the busy Muslim Quarter, with daily shadow-puppet shows.

Why it's worth the stop

• Imperial '榜眼及第' tablet (second-place palace scholar)
• Well-preserved Qing courtyard house (四合院)
• Classical-costume museum and daily 皮影 (shadow puppet) shows
• In the heart of 北院门/回民街 food street

Getting there

Metro Line 2/6 to 钟楼 station, exit C, head toward the Drum Tower then north into 回民街; the mansion is on 北院门, a little way in.

Tickets and opening hours

Admission ¥15; ¥30 if you include the shadow-puppet show. Free for 65+ (with ID), children under 1.2 m, serving soldiers and disabled visitors. Hours ~09:00–22:30 (last entry 22:00, per Ctrip).

Practical details

• Where it is: 北院门144号, 莲湖区, Xi'an（回民街 area, north of the Drum Tower）
• How long to allow: 1 hour+
• Try the shadow-puppet (皮影) performance — it's the highlight for many visitors.
• It's a small, quiet courtyard inside the crowded food street; go early or late afternoon.

Last updated: September 2026. Xi'an travel.

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