Wang Family Compound

Introducing Wang Family Compound
The literal meaning of Wang is "king," and it was a surname used by royals and privileged families in ancient China. Today, Wang is the most common family name in China based on an analysis of statistics from China's population information system in 2019. The total population of China is 1.4 billion and there are 101500000 Chinese whose family name is Wang. You may find Wang Family Compounds or Wang Family Mansions in many places in China. However, this massive compound is the largest of the residential complexe in China. It is, for instance, four times the size of the Qiao Family Compound.

In 1312 during the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty, a man named Wang Shi left the provincial capital of Taiyun and made this place his home. Wang Shi began his life here as a farmer and meanwhile as a businessman selling bean curd toufu. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Wang family expanded their business gradually. By the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the family had reached the peak of their prosperity when they gained official positions in the government. During the Qing dynasty, over 100 members of the Wang family were high-ranking officials! They invested much of their wealth in building massive mansions or compounds. As the family grew in size and as they prospered, more and more coutyards were added to this residential complex. The Wang family built 5 castles, 5 alleys and one business street during a period of 200 years. Unfortunately all this good work would be undone towards the end of the Qing dynasty, as future generations of the Wang family  lacked their forebears’ ambition and became addicted to opium smoking. After having lived in this grand mansion for 27 generations, the last members of the Wang family left in 1996 and it was opened to the public in 1997.

What to expect at Wang Family Compound
Currently, only two of the colossal courtyards and one of the ancestral halls are open to tourists, comprising a total of 123 smaller courtyards and over 1,100 rooms. The opened areas are the Gaojiaya courtyard, the Red Gate Castle and Wang Clan Ancestral Temple. The three complexes accommodate 123 courtyards, 1118 rooms with an area of 45,000 square meters. Just as important as the scale of the complex is the distinctive architectural style and artistic finishing. As one moves from courtyard to courtyard, one can see an impressive collection of decorative lattice screens and windows, shaped openings between rooms and courtyards, and graceful roofs. The houses and courtyards feature carvings everywhere--in stone, brick, and wood--from the eaves of the houses and ridges of the roofs to window frames, timber joints, and doorways. Paintings, calligraphy, and Qing Dynasty furniture also decorate the houses.

The Gaojiaya Courtyard
Gaojiaya was built by Wang Rucong and Wang Rucheng, the 17th generation of the Wang family. It construction started in 1796 and was completed in 1811 during the Qing Dynasty. All buildings were constructed in strict accordance with the feudal hierarchy and boast some of the finest woodcuttings, stone-carvings, and brick sculptures in the compound. It is a somewhat labyrinthine structure, consisting of multifarious courtyards and connecting alleyways. It is now used to exhibit a lavish collection of items that once belonged to the Wang family.

The Red Gate Castle
Built from 1739 to 1793, the Red Gate Castle covers 25,000 square metres (269,098 sq. ft.) and contains 88 courtyards and 776 rooms. Its name is derived from its characteristic red gate, which is the only one in the compound, and its layout is designed to look like the Chinese character “王” (Wáng), which means “king”. The Wang Museum, which details the history of the family is located in the Red Gate Castle.

Wang Family Compound Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Wang Jia Da Yuan 王家大院
• Best Time to Visit: Apr, May, Sept & Oct
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 3 hours
• Things to Do: Traditional Chinese architecture, folk art.
• Opening Hours: 08:00 to 18:00 from Mar to Nov; 08:00 to 17:30 from Dec to Feb
• Entrance Fee: CNY55 from Mar to Nov; CNY35 from Dec to Feb
• Address: Jingsheng Village, Jingsheng Township, Lingshi County, Shanxi Province

How to get to Wang Family Compound
• Wang Family Compound is located 35 kilometers (about 22 miles) from Pingyao
• Take a bus from Pingyao Bus Station to Lingshi County. After arrival, take Lingshi Bus 7 to Wenchang Dong and then walk north for 10 minutes to get there.
• Rent a car/bus from GoGrandChina to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Pingyao to Wang Family Compound.