Wang Family Courtyard

Traveling inside China, I found this ancient world heritage place called Wang Family Compound, it is a lively area surrounded by walls, with a mini city inside, from shops to restaurants, temples and museums. The traditional architecture and the many activities to do were really great!! #merrychristmas

The Wang Family Compound is located 12 kilometers east of Lingshi County in Shanxi Province, in the historic and cultural town of Jingsheng. The Wang Family Compound was built by the Jingsheng Wang family over the course of more than 300 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It includes five alleys, six fortresses, and one street, covering a total area of 250,000 square meters, and is a museum of architectural art with traditional cultural characteristics. The architectural layout of the Wang Family Compound inherits the courtyard style of the front hall and rear sleeping quarters formed during the Western Zhou Dynasty in China. It provides ample space for external interactions while satisfying the need for internal privacy, ensuring a hierarchy of respect and order among the noble and humble, the old and young, and distinguishing between the inner and outer, men and women. It also has a complete set of living functions, fully reflecting the majesty of the official family and the orderly nature of the clan and ritual system. The Gaojiaya architectural complex consists of 35 courtyards and 342 rooms. The main courtyards, the Dunhou Residence and Ningrui Residence, are both three-entry quadrangle courtyards. In addition to the ancestral halls and embroidered buildings on both sides, each courtyard has its own kitchen yard, family schoolyard, and shares a common academy, flower yard, servant yard, and enclosed yard. The surrounding fortress walls are tightly enclosed, with four gates strategically placed. The courtyards are interconnected like a string of pearls, with as many as 65 doors that allow access in all directions, yet each maintains its own unique character. The Hongmenbao architectural complex is both a fortress and a city, built against the mountain. Arranged in four layers of courtyards from low to high, it is symmetrically laid out with a main thoroughfare in the middle, forming a very regular 'king' character shape. It also implies the shape of a 'dragon'. The 88 courtyards within the fortress each have their own unique characteristics, with no two being identical.

Dear travel enthusiasts, today I will take you into a frozen historical scroll, which is the Wang Family Compound located in Jingsheng Town, Lingshi County, Shanxi Province. This ancient architectural complex, known as the 'Number One Dwelling in China', with its grand scale, exquisite carving art, and profound cultural heritage, is undoubtedly a stop you can't miss on your trip to Shanxi. Attraction Introduction: The Wang Family Compound was founded in the Ming Dynasty and expanded over more than 300 years to cover a total area of 250,000 square meters. It consists of two major architectural complexes, Gaojiaya Fort and Hongmen Fort, with a total of 123 courtyards and 1,118 rooms, resembling a miniature ancient city. Every brick and tile, every carved beam and painted rafter here is filled with the architectural wisdom and the breath of life from the Ming and Qing dynasties, making you feel as if you have traveled back to that prosperous era. Itinerary: It is recommended that you arrive at the Wang Family Compound around 9 am. First, explore the majestic Hongmen Fort and uncover the family's rise and fall story behind it; then stroll through the intricately detailed Gaojiaya Fort, admiring its unique wood, brick, and stone carving art. In the afternoon, you can take a break in the teahouse within the compound, savoring a cup of fragrant jasmine tea, and experiencing the tranquil and simple taste of life. In the evening, it's worth climbing up to the viewing platform to overlook the entire compound's panorama, where the Wang Family Compound under the setting sun appears even more ancient and solemn. Gourmet Experience: Don't forget to taste the local specialties after your visit. Shanxi's noodles are world-famous, and the restaurants near the Wang Family Compound offer authentic knife-cut noodles, tick-tipped noodles, and more, with a chewy texture and rich toppings. In addition, there are special Jinan steamed buns, Pingyao beef, and fragrant Fen liquor, all of which will let your taste buds fully enjoy the flavors of Shanxi. Transportation Tips: The Wang Family Compound is about 130 kilometers away from Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, only about a 2-hour drive by car; if taking the train, you can first go to Jiexiu Railway Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi to get there. Additionally, major travel agencies and the Ctrip platform offer one-day or multi-day tour routes from Taiyuan city center, which are convenient and quick, making your journey more worry-free. In summary, the Wang Family Compound is not only a treasure showcasing ancient Chinese architectural art but also an ideal place to experience traditional culture and taste the charm of history. We look forward to your trip to Shanxi, where you will gain a unique memory that transcends time and space!

The Forbidden City is known for the majesty of the royal family, while the Wang residence is known for the prominence of the Shanxi merchants. The Wang Family Grand Courtyard, which started with selling tofu, was built by the Wang family over 300 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It includes five lanes, six forts, and one street, covering a total area of 250,000 square meters, with thousands of rooms. Courtyards connect to courtyards, and houses connect to houses. It is even larger than the Forbidden City and is rightfully called the 'Number One Residence of Chinese Folk Houses'. 🎫Ticket: 50 RMB/person The Wang Family Grand Courtyard only sells joint tickets, which include: Wang Family Grand Courtyard➕Wang Family Estate➕Hongya Canyon➕Gypsum Mountain ⌚Opening hours Wang Family Grand Courtyard: 8:30-16:50 Wang Family Estate: 8:00-16:30 Hongya Canyon: 8:00-16:50 Gypsum Mountain Scenic Area: 8:30-16:00 🌈Tour route Enter through Shilu Fort and exit through Hengzhen Fort, from east to west. When you reach Hengzhen Fort, you can go from low to high to the garden, then climb the surrounding wall to overlook the entire complex, and finally descend along the wall. 🌟Core visiting areas Gaojia Cliff Buildings (Shilu Fort) and Hongmen Fort Buildings (Hengzhen Fort), with a stone bridge connecting the two forts in the middle. ✅Shilu Fort is an official residence, built by the luxurious mansion of the brothers Wang Rucheng and Wang Rucong, who were officials of the fourth and fifth rank respectively, complete with ancestral halls, embroidered buildings, kitchen courtyards, school courtyards, servant courtyards, family courtyards, and flower courtyards, all exquisitely decorated. ✅Hengzhen Fort is a civilian residence, equivalent to a large community for the Wang family. The main alley in the middle and three horizontal alleys form a regular 'Wang' character. The fort has 88 courtyards with simpler decorations. 💟3 major highlights 1️⃣Rigorous layout Layered buildings and courtyards, front halls and rear bedrooms, each layout reveals a hierarchy of respect and order, and a distinction between the inside and outside. In Shilu Fort, the younger brother Wang Rucheng's residence has a wider gate tower due to his higher official rank, but it is not as tall as his brother's. 2️⃣Three-carving art Brick carving, wood carving, and stone carving are rich in themes and auspicious meanings. Taking stone carving as an example, there are carvings representing the 'Twenty-four Filial Exemplars' indicating that filial piety is the most important virtue, seahorses among clouds symbolizing a journey of thousands of miles, bamboo joint carvings on door frames suggesting rising step by step, and stone statues of a large monkey carrying a small monkey symbolizing generations of nobility. 3️⃣Couplets and plaques There are couplets in the halls and plaques on the doors. The number of couplets and plaques and the depth of their content are unique in the culture of Shanxi merchants. One of the plaques bears the four characters '规圆矩方' (circular rules and square norms), with an extra dot under the character '矩' (norm), implying that a little more discipline leads to fewer troubles. 📣Explanation Be sure to listen to the explanations, otherwise, it will be difficult to deeply understand the details and connotations. The guide fee is 120 RMB, and you can join a group. Alternatively, a 30 RMB electronic guide is recommended, with a 100 RMB deposit returned at the exit. It has automatic induction, providing explanations automatically when you reach the corresponding tour area, and also offers tour route suggestions.

🏨 Wang Family Courtyard 🚉Transportation Guide: Departing from Taiyuan, take the train from Taiyuan South to Lingshi East Station. Remember, Lingshi East Station is the closest to Wang Family Courtyard (about fifteen minutes by Lingshi No. 7 bus) Once you arrive at Wang Family Courtyard Station, it's just a five to six hundred meters walk, very close. If you reach Lingshi Station, also take the Lingshi No. 7 bus, it takes about 40 minutes to get to Wang Family Courtyard Station. 🍽Dining Recommendations: There are many restaurants where the bus stops, which is considered a residential area. Inside the Wang Family Courtyard, which is purely a scenic area, there's no food for sale! 📝Note tips: As soon as you enter the main gate, on the left hand side there is a small hut where you can ask for a tour guide, 120r for a guide (you can join with many people). It's essential to hire a guide, or at least join a group with one, especially for the residences of the two Wang brothers. After listening to the explanations, the experience is completely different. The essence of the explanation is also the residences of the Wang brothers. ❤Recommended Reason: The biggest impression is the difficulty of life for women during the Qing Dynasty; not stepping out of the main gate or the second gate meant being trapped in such a small courtyard (no matter how exquisite it is) Sons live on the first floor, daughters on the second floor (also called the Embroidery Building). Thirteen years old going up to the Embroidery Building, fourteen cutting hair, fifteen getting married (it's quite poignant) 🌟Highlights: Moreover, the architectural beauty, both in the grand scheme and the details, is captivating. The stone carvings and wood carvings all have stories and meanings. The Wang family had a high level of education and placed great importance on the education of their children! The Wang family started with selling tofu and built a courtyard larger than the Forbidden City, using only the interest from their savings ('In all trades, a master emerges'). 💰Average Cost: 30r per person in the off-season 👍Most Recommended: The best photography spot is the stairs going up on the right-hand side facing the Dingjia Garden, taking photos with Dingjia Garden as the backdrop. There's no need to go to Wang Family Manor; aside from the name 'Wang,' there's not much connection. The tour guide's explanation takes about 1h, and you can control your own wandering time to be about 3h, which is quite sufficient. Although it's said to be larger than the Forbidden City, the area we visited is actually not that large. Many courtyards are not open due to similar layouts, so 3h is more than enough.

Wang's Grand Courtyard was built over more than three hundred years during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The entire complex consists of five alleys, six fortresses, and one street, covering an area of 250,000 square meters, which is 100,000 square kilometers larger than the Forbidden City, making it the largest private residence in China, known as the 'Folk Forbidden City'. So it's quite tiring to visit, but definitely worth it! With limited time, I decided to visit Wang's Grand Courtyard! 🌟 Three Highlights of Wang's Grand Courtyard 1️⃣ The Imperial Edict This is an imperial edict issued to the Wang family during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing, preserved by generations of the Wang family and later voluntarily donated. This edict is not only a precious physical document left by the Wang family's ancestors, but also a reference for studying the history of the Qing dynasty, the documentation system, the bureaucracy, calligraphy, knitting, and their evolution and development. 2️⃣ The Thousand-Worker Bed The 'Thousand-Worker Bed' displayed in the 'bridal chamber' of the Dunhou Mansion's backyard uses various decorative techniques such as carving, inlaying, painting, and drawing. It features red as the main color to reflect the festive atmosphere, paired with the vibrant Chinese red and the rich gold lacquer, showcasing its unique elegance as a 'wedding bed'. 3️⃣ The Complete Map of the Great Qing's Eternal Unification The 'Complete Map of the Great Qing's Eternal Unification' displayed in the Ningrui Residence's hall is a printed edition, but it is a valuable scientific document for studying the historical changes of China's territory and administrative regions. History has witnessed its beginnings, development, and decline. In the vast courtyard, beyond the visible prosperity and grandeur, one begins to ponder and explore the reasons for the decline of Wang's Grand Courtyard, as well as how to prevent such events from happening to ourselves. ✅ The main reasons for the decline of Wang's Grand Courtyard are: 1️⃣ The Wang family began to decline after the Daoguang era of the Qing dynasty, mainly due to the lack of ambition among the descendants and increasing extravagance. The descendants of the Wang family, due to opium and the avoidance of war, sold their vast family business to outsiders and fled to Sichuan with substantial wealth (the spiritual decline due to opium addiction). 2️⃣ The grand scale, huge cost, and lavishness of Wang's Grand Courtyard inevitably attracted excessive restrictions from the imperial court. The court's increasing exploitation of the Shanxi merchants made it difficult for the Wang family to escape misfortune (restrictions caused by excessive luxury). 3️⃣ The Wang family's ideal of achieving success through the imperial examinations and fundamentally growing their business led to their decline (forgetting the core competitiveness that initially led to their wealth). Therefore, only by choosing the right direction, keeping up with the times, adhering to the original intention, living frugally, keeping a low profile, practicing self-discipline, and working diligently can wealth be passed down from generation to generation, and the family prosper! ✅ When visiting, it is essential to hire a guide. Without a guide, it's like a dog looking at the stars, wandering from room to room without understanding the significance of Wang's Grand Courtyard, only recognizing it as a Qing dynasty architectural style. However, with a guide, you will understand how meticulous and meaningful the Qing dynasty architecture of Wang's Grand Courtyard is. The architectural style is detailed in every aspect, from the front hall to the back bedroom, with a courtyard style that ensures privacy and distinguishes between the noble and the humble. The thresholds, carvings, stone piers, and brick carvings of the courtyard all have unique meanings, and every detail is breathtaking. ✅ For example, the kirin at the entrance symbolizes wealth, the steps on both sides of the entrance must be symmetrical, the crane and turtle represent longevity, and the monkeys on the stone pillars represent generations of nobility. There are too many details; this is the style of architecture during the Qing dynasty, while the adjacent Ming dynasty architecture is much simpler without so many details. As for why, that's something for the guide to explain in detail.

🏰 Visit the Wang Family Grand Courtyard, the Soul of Jin Merchants 🏰 In the ancient land of Shanxi, there is a mysterious corner known as the 'civilian Forbidden City' - the Wang Family Grand Courtyard. This is not just a massive residential complex, but also a witness to the glorious history of Jin merchants. 🌟 Courtyard Wonders: Stepping through the gates of the Wang Family Grand Courtyard is like traveling through a time tunnel, entering the ancient and splendid Jin merchant family. The vast triple-entry quadrangle courtyards, the towering ancestral halls, and the exquisite embroidered buildings, every corner reveals traces of history. From a high vantage point, the entire courtyard is layered and well-arranged, leaving one in awe. 🏡 Cultural Heritage: The Wang Family Grand Courtyard is not only spectacular in architecture but also embodies the family virtues of 'being round and square, kind to others'. Each courtyard has its unique features, such as the ancestral hall, family school, and academy, showcasing the profound connotations of Jin merchant culture. Travel Tips: Location: Navigate to the Wang Family Grand Courtyard, a 2-hour drive from Taiyuan, and a 30-minute drive from the ancient city of Pingyao. Tickets: Off-season 35 RMB/person, peak season 55 RMB/person. Visiting Time: It takes about 2-3 hours to visit, suitable for a half-day tour. 🚗 Transportation Advice: Self-driving is the most convenient way, with a 2-hour drive from Taiyuan to the Wang Family Grand Courtyard, and only 30 minutes from the ancient city of Pingyao. 💡 Suggestions: Book tickets through Ctrip for convenience and speed. Keep quiet during the visit to appreciate the family culture of Jin merchants. 🍽️ Food Recommendations: After touring, you can taste local delicacies in the surrounding area and experience the unique flavor of Shanxi. Visiting the Wang Family Grand Courtyard is like traveling through time and space, experiencing the prosperity and vicissitudes of Jin merchants. This civilian Forbidden City is a part of Shanxi's history and a treasure of ancient Chinese culture. Come and appreciate this family epic and feel the profound charm of history! 🏰

Dear friends, have you ever longed to travel through time and experience the charm of ancient life? Then, let me lift the veil of mystery off the Wang Family Grand Courtyard in Shanxi and take you on a tour of historical charm. The Wang Family Grand Courtyard, this ancient residence with a history of hundreds of years, has witnessed countless changes. It is like a living history textbook, allowing us to feel the grandeur and ingenuity of ancient times up close. Here you will find exquisite brick carvings, wood carvings, and stone carvings; here you will see ancient courtyards, pavilions, and halls; here you will discover rich historical stories and cultural heritage... Whether you appreciate the beauty of ancient architecture, or are keen on exploring historical culture, or even if you enjoy photography, the Wang Family Grand Courtyard will satisfy you. Here, you can stroll through the ancient courtyards, feeling the tranquility and harmony; here, you can admire the beautiful carvings, feeling the artistry and charm; here, you can listen to the stories of history, feeling the thrill of time travel. The Wang Family Grand Courtyard, like a wise sage who has experienced the vicissitudes of life, silently tells the stories of history. With its simplicity and heritage, it attracts countless people who love history. Come, friends, let us step into the Wang Family Grand Courtyard together, to feel the charm of history, to experience the life of time travel. Here, you will discover a new self, one who loves history and culture even more. The Wang Family Grand Courtyard, a visit you will remember for a lifetime. Let us look forward to that wonderful journey through history.

How much is Shanxi worth going to I'm all talked out This time I've organized the must-see sights in Jinzhong⬇️ ▪️Known as the 'Folk Forbidden City': Wang's Grand Courtyard ▪️The treasure of the temple is the Vairocana statue from the history books: Shuanglin Temple ▪️The most intact ancient city in the Han region of China: Pingyao Ancient City · 🗺Day1 Wang's Grand Courtyard—Shuanglin Temple, stay in Pingyao Itinerary: ✔️9:00-11:30 Wang's Grand Courtyard: Mainly appreciate the beauty of the architecture, Hanfu really takes great photos📍The view from the corner tower overlooking the entire Wang's Grand Courtyard is yyds! ✔️11:30-13:00 You can have a meal and rest ✔️13:00-14:00 Head to Shuanglin Temple🚘45min drive ✔️14:00-16:40 Shuanglin Temple: Thousand Buddha Hall must see Vairocana statue/Bodhisattva seated statue/many small Buddha statues, Heavenly King Hall must see Heavenly King statue, Daxiong Treasure Hall must see the oldest stele—'Aunt's Stele' ✔️16:40-16:55 Shuanglin Temple-Pingyao Ancient City🚘15min drive🉑️Stay in a homestay near the entrance of the ancient city · 🗺Day2 Pingyao Ancient City-Return Itinerary: ✔️9:00-17:30 Pingyao Ancient City: The ancient city is very large, it takes a day to stroll around, if you are in a hurry, it is not recommended to buy a pass❌It will be a bit of a loss 📌If you have time after visiting the ancient city🉑️You can visit the Zhen Guo Temple near the ancient city 🈚️🎫No pass play: ▪️Visit Weng City, check in the military defense facility 'Catching Turtles in the Urn' ▪️Visit Qingping Street, both sides of the street are old houses with a hundred years of history ▪️Visit the ancient market tower, the three-tiered wooden structure tower is rich and magnificent 🈶🎫Buy a pass play: ▪️🉑️Play 2️⃣2️⃣ attractions ▪️Among them, the ancient city wall/county government/Rishengchang Bank/Confucius Temple/Qingxu View are must-sees ▪️There are also some old houses and old shops🉑️Choose your favorite to visit 🥘Recommended Pingyao food ✔️Ancient City Tianyuan Kui Restaurant: 💰Average per person 65+✅Yellow rice cold cake✅Vinegar skin jelly✅Stewed pork are all very special and delicious · ㊙️Attraction tips ☑️Wang's Grand Courtyard: Ticket 55 yuan, open 08:30-17:30 (last entry 17:20) ☑️Shuanglin Temple: Ticket 35 yuan, open 8:00-18:00 ☑️Pingyao Ancient City: Ancient city🆓free, city wall and various houses pass 125 yuan, open 8:00-17:30

🚗🚗🚗Travel route: Day1: Tongguan Yellow River Ancient Ferry→Guoquelou→Yongle Palace→Yuncheng Salt Lake Day2: Hongtong Dahaitu Root-seeking Ancestor Worship Park→Shanxi Wang's Grand Courtyard→Zhangbi Ancient Castle→Mianshan Scenic Area Day3: Pingyao Ancient City→Qiao's Grand Courtyard Day4: Yungang Grottoes→Hanging Temple Day5: Mengshan Giant Buddha→Shanxi Museum Day6: Dangjia Village→Hancheng Ancient City

This land here is simple and unadorned Yet it holds countless ancient civilizations A courtyard larger than the Forbidden City? The largest ancient residence in the world "Returning to Wang's, no need to see other courtyards" When in Jinzhong, how can one not visit this orderly first residence of Chinese dwellings‼️ · 📍Address: East of Lingshi County, Shanxi Province 🎫Ticket: 30r/person 🚙Transportation: Self-driving from Taiyuan, navigate to Wang's Grand Courtyard for about 2 hours Or you can take the high-speed rail from Taiyuan for 50 minutes to Lingshi East Station, and then take a taxi to Wang's Grand Courtyard for 10r · ⭐️About the attraction Wang's Grand Courtyard was built by the Wang's family of Jingsheng through the Ming and Qing Dynasties, over 300 years. "Five lanes, six forts, and one street", it is very traditional, with a total area of 250,000 square meters, 123 courtyards, and 1118 rooms. It is also a museum of traditional architectural art · Wang's Grand Courtyard has a unique architectural style, blending traditional culture and local characteristics. It is one of the representatives of Jin merchant culture in China. The layout of the entire courtyard is very rigorous, with clear primary and secondary, the buildings on the central axis are tall and magnificent, and the buildings on both sides are low and symmetrical, forming a grand and spectacular whole · In addition to the tall and magnificent layout, the most surprising part is the carving. Whether it's the gate or the house in the courtyard, there are exquisite brick carvings, stone carvings, and wood carvings everywhere. These works are exquisite in craftsmanship, profound in meaning, and detailed to the stone carvings of pumpkins and beasts on the stair handrails, the palace lamp-shaped column bases under the wooden pillars, and the carved flowers on the doors and windows are almost unique. It is an important part of Jin merchant culture and is rightly called the "Folk Forbidden City" · ⭐️Wang's Grand Courtyard is a national key cultural relics protection unit and a AAAA-level scenic spot. Every brick and stone here has its own history. It is a witness to the heyday of the Wang family and also witnessed the war at the end of the Qing Dynasty. It fell into the hands of others, but eventually returned to its original surname. Here you can appreciate the essence of Jin merchant culture and the charm of traditional culture! It's really worth the trip!

After 300 years of construction, the momentum and scale are second to none in the Jin Merchant House. The exquisite carving art and the spatial pattern of the atmosphere are important factors for the tourists who are deeply attracted by the bow. The 'Wang family does not come to see the hospital' is worthy of the name. The Wang Family Courtyard is very large, by Gao Jiaya, The red "] Fort consists of two relatively closed courtyards, which are connected by a slender bridge and the rest are made up of countless courtyards. Gaojiaya is a closed castle building that inherits the ancient Chinese front hall. After the structure of the back room, exquisite carving art can be seen everywhere. Red Gate Fort and Gaojia Cliff are facing each other. The stone carving in the castle blends with the north and south styles. It is a model of carving art in the Qing Dynasty.