Written by Veronica |
Wang Family Compound is located in Shanxi Province, China, about 35 kilometers away from Pingyao Ancient City. It is a grand residential complex and features amazing Chinese traditional architecture, arts, and culture.
Wang Family Compound, with an area of over 150,000 square meters, consists of five courtyards, more than 300 rooms, and many gardens and pavilions. It reflects the exquisite technique and unique lifestyle of rich merchants in the Qing Dynasty.
Besides, when traveling to Pingyao, tourists will have an opportunity of exploring the complex wood carvings, color murals, and ancient relics in Wang Family Compound. Appreciating the traditional performance, tasting local cuisine, or purchasing souvenirs is also possible. So Wang Family Compound is highly recommended.
Content Preview
- Wang Family Compound Facts
- Structure and Layout of Wang Family Compound
- What to See and Do in Wang Family Compound
- Best Time to Visit Wang Family Compound
- How to Get to Wang Family Compound
- Nearby Attractions of Wang Family Compound
- Contact China Xian Tour to Plan a Pingyao Tour with Wang Family Compound
Wang Family Compound Facts
- In Chinese: 王家大院
- Location: Jingsheng Town, Lingshi County, Shanxi Province, about 35 km away from Pingyao Ancient City, and about 150 km away from Taiyuan.
- Opening time: 8:00 am –7:00 pm.
- Ticket price: CNY 55 yuan/person.
- Time needed: About 3 hours.
- Best visiting time: Spring and Autumn.
- Best for: History and culture lovers, architecture art lovers, and photographers.
Structure and Layout of Wang Family Compound
Wang Family Compound in Pingyao, an intriguing residential complex, is characterized by China’s traditional buildings, designed by Geomantic omens, exquisite sculptures, and decorations. Through the construction of more than 300 years, its scale is very large with an area of about 150,000 sq m. It consists of five small alleys, six forts, and one street. The currently open area mainly includes three architectural complexes: Gaojiaya Residential Area, Hongmen Fortress and Chongning Fortress. All the main buildings are built against the mountain and arranged in layers, forming a unique castle style. Tourists can appreciate this compound’s complex layout by yourself.
What to See and Do in Wang Family Compound
1. Visit Gaojiaya Residential Area
Gaojiaya is the largest and grandest part. It has 123 courtyards and 1,118 rooms. It was ever used by the main branch of the Wang Family. It maintains the layout of the front hall and the back bedroom, which reflects the strict feudal ritual system. The most outstanding is the exquisite brick carvings, wooden carvings and stone carvings. They can be seen everywhere and boast abundant themes, such as calligraphy, painting, historic stores, etc. Every artwork has its implied meaning. These carvings represent the peak of architectural decorations in the Qing Dynasty.
2. Explore Hongmen Fortress and Chongning Fortress
Exploring the oldest and most well-preserved parts, the Hongmen Fortress and Chongning Fortress, is another good experience for visitors. There are a total of 18 courtyards and 275 rooms, which are used by the collateral branch of the Wang Family. The Hongmen Fortress is composed of one longitudinal main lane and three transverse lanes, which looks like the character “王”. The uniqueness of Chongning Fortress is that it is transformed into a hotel, so tourists can live in this ancient fortress to experience its serenity and historic charm.
3. Calligraphy and Painting Hall and Treasures Hall:
In Wang Family Compound, the calligraphy and painting hall and treasures hall collect lots of unique works, such as jade sculptures, strange stones, and other precious relics. All displays are open to visitors.
4. Wander Around the Surrounding Walls of the Compound:
In addition, wandering around the surrounding walls of the Wang’s Family Compound during Pingyao tours is a wonderful experience for tourists. Here tourists will have a panoramic view of the whole building complex and the surrounding villages.
Best Time to Visit Wang Family Compound
Wang’s Family Compound is located in the north of Shanxi Province and belongs to a temperate continental monsoon climate. It has four distinct seasons and is open for tourists all year round. Each season has different beautiful scenery. The ideal visiting time is in the nice days of Spring and Autumn (March to mid-June and mid-September to November). To avoid traffic jams, it is better to visit on working days, but not on weekends or public holidays.
How to Get to Wang Family Compounds
Where is Wang Family Compound
Wang Family Compound is in Lingshi County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province. Its distance to Pingyao Ancient Town is about 35 km and that to Taiyuan is about 150 km.
From Pingyao to Wang Family Compound
By bus: the most recommended. At 07:10, 08:40, 12:40 and 14:20 every day, the direct bus to Wang Family Compound will depart from Pingyao Bus Station with stops at North Gate and West Gate of Pingyao Ancient City midway.
By train: Take a high-speed train from Pingyao Gucheng Railway Station to Lingshi East, then transfer to bus line 7 to Wang’s Family Compound.
Charter a car/carpooling: this way is also popular because of its flexibility. Some hotels and restaurants can help you book a car and the car can pick you up at the hotel directly. Usually, the carpooling costs about CNY 50 per person and the chartered car costs about CNY 200 – 300.
From Taiyuan to Wang Family Compound
By train: first, take a bullet train from Taiyuan South to Lingshi East, and then transfer to bus line 7 to the compound directly.
By bus: Take long-distance Bus from Taiyuan Jiannan Bus Station to Lingshi Bus Station, then transfer to No. 1 Bus to Wang’s Family Compound. No. 1 Bus departs every 8 minutes, and the ticket price is 2 yuan/person. Or take a long-distance Bus from Taiyuan Jiannan Bus Station to Jiexiu Bus Station, then transfer to the No. 11 Bus to Wang’s Family Compound. No. 11 Bus departs every 20 minutes, and the ticket price is 5 yuan/person.
Nearby Attractions of Wang Family Compound
- Shuanglin Temple: Shuanglin Temple, about 6km away southwest of Pingyao ancient city, is recognized as UNESCO World Heritage. It is famous for its more than 2,000 pieces of Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing color sculptures.
- Zhenguo Temple: Zhenguo Temple, about 12km away northeast of Pingyao Ancient City, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage. It owns China’s oldest wooden building and sculpture.
- Qiao’s Family Compound: Qiao’s Family Compound is a well-preserved quadrangle dwellings, about 35km away north of Pingyao Ancient City. It is renowned for its exquisite sculptures, historical relics, and cultural displays. Qiao’s Family Compound is also the shooting location of Raise the Red Lantern.
- Zhangbi Ancient Castle: Zhangbi Ancient Castle, about 40km away southeast of Pingyao Ancient City, owns a complex underground tunnel system, one temple, and one observatory with military, religious, and astronomical functions.
- Pingyao Ancient City: Pingyao Ancient City is one of the well-preserved Chinese ancient cities. It displays the building styles, urban planning, and financial history of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Contact China Xian Tour to Plan a Pingyao Tour with Wang Family Compound
To include the Wang Family Compound in your Pingyao tour, 2 – 3 days are needed. You can spend the first day exploring the attractions in Pingyao and then plan a side trip to Wang Family Compound on the second day. On the third day, visit other nearby scenic spots or explore Pingyao Ancient City deeply. If you are interested in this tour, China Xian Tour can plan a detailed itinerary for you. Our trip is tailored, so we will also do our best to meet any of your requirements. Just contact us right now.
