Xi'an - A Ming Dynasty Family courtyard

[@mayz-7822]

this place called “高家大院” (the mansion of Gao). Although the tourist book said that it's a house from the Ming dynasty, the gao family actually started to build it at the end of Ming (around 1630s) and finished in Qing dynasy (QianLong era, 1736-1795). Still petty old. the plaque ”学道爱人“ (Xue Dao Ai Ren) is a reference from Analects of Confucius ”君子学道则爱人，小人学道则易使“. ”道“(Tao) in this sentence doesn't mean taoism, but means ”道理, 道德“ (principles, morals). So the sentence means: "Once a gentleman (or a noble man) is morally educated, he would know how to love (or take care of) others; Once an ordinary people is morally educated, he would be easier to be governed/instructed. (and that's why everybody need to be educated.)"

[@nickinchina2552]

good translation, thanks!

[@HULI_AIXIA]

Mayz - 小人翻译成ordinary 不是很贴切吧？毕竟小人是个贬义词，是君子的反义词。

[@mayz-7822]

@@HULI_AIXIA 《论语》里小人并不完全是个贬义词，通常做为君子的对位出现。这里翻译成ordinary people是参考了原文的罕仪。这句话的原文是： 子之武城，闻弦歌之声，夫子莞尔而笑，曰∶“割鸡焉用牛刀？”子游对曰∶“昔者，偃也闻诸夫子曰∶‘君子学道则爱人；小人学道则易使也。’”子曰∶“二三子！偃之言是也；前言戏之耳！” 意思是： 孔子到了武城，听到他们在搞礼乐教化，孔子就笑着说“杀鸡焉用牛刀？”（这样的小地方怎么还需要做这样的礼乐教化？）子游对答说：“老师你曾经说过‘君子学道则爱人；小人学道则易使也。’”。孔子表示你说得对，我之前是开玩笑的。 《论语》里这段话的意思是，所有人都需要接受礼乐教育，君子（贵族，社会地位高的人）接受了教育就懂得更好的爱护别人；小人（社会地位低的）接受了教育也能让政令更容易施行。所以这个”小人“更接近普通人、平民的意思。 类似的说法也有： 樊迟请学稼。子曰：“吾不如老农。”请学为圃。曰：“吾不如老圃。”樊迟出，子曰：“小人哉，樊须也！”这里的“小人”也是指普通人或者劳动人民。

[@johnsamu]

I forgot that these ancient characters should be read from right to left, I just noticed when I read your comment/translation. Sometimes it's easy to miss the obvious, so I had a hard time reading/translating from left to right 😉😁

[@mayz-7822]

@@johnsamu haha, yeah, it could be quite confusing sometimes, especially nowadays some people would also write a plaque from left to right. Normally I would read a plaque from both sides to see which one makes more sense. :D

[@sword7872]

You find so many interesting places. That was a real ancient looking home. Glad that they preserve it so well.

[@nickinchina2552]

Very well preserved! It is a shame there aren't many more of these left in Xi'an

[@bobmenendez8708]

U didn't rush thru those rooms and beautiful courtyards... explaining in the most soothing voice, even read caligraphy to us. As usual, a very very pleasurable, relaxing and joyful journey strolling together with u, thank you so much. Just hope the video is longer, don't need editing just sitting/hanging around the courtyard is very calming to watch...

[@nickinchina2552]

Thanks Bob! Yeh, nice place indeed!

[@bookofeye]

Oh my goodness! So beautiful!

[@alicewang6342]

I cannot believe I didnot know this place even I was born and grew up in a neighbourhood which was probably 20 minute walking distance from there!!! I really love the old Chinese architecture. I went to 关中民俗艺术博物馆 (Guanzhong Folk Art Museum) a few times just for seeing old Chinese buildings and courtyards!!! Compared to the Folk Art Museum, this one is so close and convenient to visit!!! Thank you very much for sharing!

[@nickinchina2552]

From the street it isn't very noticeable. I've walked past a lot but never been in until now...definitely worth a look! Haven't been to the folk museum, but i will have a look! Thanks for watching Alice, always appreciate your comments :)

[@alicewang6342]

Nick in China the Guanzhong Folk Art Museum is definitely worthwhile to visit! There are many authentic old courtyards, generally very quiet and doesnot have many visitors. But it is not very close to city. It is at the foot of Qinling. You need to figure out how you can get there though. 🧐

[@nickinchina2552]

hmmm, i could bike that, only about 25km away, looks interesting! Thanks for the recommendation.

[@yz9705]

WOW! Nice and quiet! Lucky you! Love it! Thanks for sharing!

[@nickinchina2552]

Pretty place, and i imagine usually it would be super busy. Lucky indeed!

[@banja1470]

The background music really fits the video

[@nickinchina2552]

from KZbins free music library!

[@bobobee4829]

Great video， Thank you so much。 I can't back to China Xi'an , but I can enjoy your video.

[@nickinchina2552]

I hope you can visit soon! Thanks for watching, more on the way :)

[@AmelieZh]

很有意思。can't wait to go back to learn more about Chinese history

[@nickinchina2552]

There are endless things to learn! Great place.

[@ianehud]

love it.. thanks

[@nickinchina2552]

Cool place to look around if you are in Xi'an!

[@dondiegol1433]

Thanks for this video. Cheers from San Diego, CA.

[@prdoohan]

Hi Nick, great to see new content again. NZ is almost back to ordinary life again, weeks now without any new cases. Great to see you are out and about again 👍

[@nickinchina2552]

Yeh, looks good in NZ, all clear on the covid front. Superb effort, others should learn. Planning a month of travel in July - Gansu, Qinghai, so lots of videos on the way!

[@prdoohan]

@@nickinchina2552 Cool travel is opening up again for you. We were supposed to be holidaying in Australia during July but international travel cancelled for some time to come. We are now going to Queenstown instead, which is a stunningly beautiful place. Lots of people are now using their international flight credits to do domestic travel and help out local businesses.

[@2Feet2Worlds]

I'm pretty sure I have been here, but not totally sure. Thanks for the tour, and taking us around!

[@nickinchina2552]

It was great! Had no intention of going there and making a video at all...it just looked so nice, couldnt help it

[@catfish9868]

beautiful

[@johnsamu]

Very interesting this tour in a REAL old/ancient house. It's often easy to see if it's old or NEW old. The slabs/stones smooth and uneven, the wooden beams/pillars are real wood, the writing in traditional characters. One of the very few old houses that have survived all those decades of turmoil. The only downside of this video is that action cams (in this case GoPro) are always bad inside buildings because of bad low light circumstances.

[@nickinchina2552]

Yeh, Gopros are a bit rubbish in low light - im looking into alternatives...

[@nemameido]

I absolutely must visit this place!

[@nickinchina2552]

It's a real gem! Apparently on evenings they do shadow puppet performances on the stage. I loved how quiet it was i was there however!

[@brennykins8823]

Lovely! When I win the Euro Millions I will build a house taking this kind of Chinese model mixed with a bit of Roman Domus into consideration. Wander through rooms and courtyards, no lawn to mow, just fiddle with pot plants and feed the birds (none in cages though) that visit. Thanks for that little daydream.

[@nickinchina2552]

Sounds like a good plan!....just need to figure out a way to win the lottery!

[@vister6757]

I didn't get a chance xhance to visit this house due to time constraints when I was in Xian last year. Too bad.

[@nickinchina2552]

It's a nice one! I filmed this a few years ago though and Xi'an is a much bigger tourist city now...

[@jessicag630]

This is a very interesting ancient building to see. I'm curious about a few things. 3:52 Is it true that they only had hard wooden beds without matress, wooden chairs without cushions and porcelain pillows back then even though you were rich? Was there any kitchen or servant quartes in the house? Was it at the back at the unmarried daughter quarters as well? If it belonged to a wealthy family what were different courtyards for in for example a 3-courtyard or 4-courtyard house? Was each courtyard for each concubine or for each male son's household?

[@youness9302]

typical han style courtyard,houses around a sky light, patio.when raining,the middle of the courtyard will full of water.除了采光，中式合院，我们这里叫窨子屋，住着非常舒服，冬暖夏凉。

[@vv2663]

Wonderful place, thank you

[@nickinchina2552]

glad you enjoyed the video!

[@hyltoniali257]

Lol，those Starling birds

[@nickinchina2552]

speaking Chinese and English!

[@fahuiqian604]

西安的夜景很漂亮，也很有特色，晚上可以去大唐不夜城玩玩

[@znba8823]

wow

[@Caraful]

We went to one place today also surprisingly beautiful

[@nickinchina2552]

where did you go? :)

[@Caraful]

Nick in China a small city in Zhejiang province, welcome to visit here, lots of things to see. And we can fly fishing here

[@nickinchina2552]

sounds lovely! I do need a bit of countryside....

[@chaoliu9357]

good video，love xi’an👍👍

[@nickinchina2552]

Thanks! such a wonderful city!

[@binhe6500]

"a little bit concerning", very English. You can teach the bird to talk, but can you teach him the Tao!? (mind explosion)

[@瑞小爷]

西安欢迎你！哈哈😄老乡你好！我在长安

[@nickinchina2552]

谢谢！

[@Caraful]

I really like your English accent

[@nickinchina2552]

Oh thanks Cara, i hope you like the videos as well as my accent! Exciting stuff coming up in July on the channel :D

[@Caraful]

Nick in China if you come here you can add my wct: caraful

[@SS-ko2lt]

They are gargoyles, Nick.

[@Myway0107]

“学道爱人”的道is not Taoism rather close to “Virtues of the universe”. Taoism is a religion. 道here is more than a religion, a rule, a path..... Here Dao or Tao is very difficult to translate. My translation here is not perfect. English does not have an equivalent.

[@BrittHarms]

Virtual Tuesday 😀

[@heqiuyisheng911]

You can read classic chinese👌👍

[@nickinchina2552]

...i try :)

[@ebonflame4562]

道就是道理,这里应该翻成principle吧.(有地位的人)学会了道理,就会爱护人民

[@nickinchina2552]

Thanks, a friend of mine also said 'principle' would be better. that makes much more sense than my translation haha!

[@ebonflame4562]

@@nickinchina2552 Your Chinese is pretty good. Even for native speaker,classical Chinese is difficult to understand. Great video btw. You deserve way more subscribers

[@nickinchina2552]

Thats very kind of you to say, thanks. Yeh, my reading is not that bad - but that is half the battle with Chinese, understanding the meaning is way harder! Difficult but magical language. I'm still a newbie at youtube but i hope the channel can grow - big plans next month, Gansu/Qinghai - hope you will keep watching!

[@ebonflame4562]

@@nickinchina2552 Keep up the great work.. Can't wait to see your new video :)

[@中介死]

加点字幕啊……我也想看看

[@fridashaw189]

是不是看这个频道的大部分是中国人呀？