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.
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.
What to See and Do in Wang Family Compound
1. Appreciate the Structure and Layout:
Wang Family Compound in Pingyao, an intriguing residential complex, is characterized by China’s traditional buildings, designed by Geomantic omens, exquisite sculptures, and decorations. It consists of five small alleys, six forts, and one street. Tourists can appreciate this compound’s complex layout.
2. 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.
3. Explore Hongmen Fortress and Chongqing Fortress:
Exploring the oldest and most well-preserved parts, the Hongmen Fortress and Chongqing 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 Compound
By bus: Take long-distance Bus from Taiyuan Jiannan Bus Station to Lingshi Bus Station, then transfer 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 the No. 11 Bus to Wang’s Family Compound. No. 11 Bus departs every 20 minutes, and the ticket price is 5 yuan/person.
By train: Take a train from Pingyao Railway Station or Pingyao Gucheng Railway Station (High-speed train station) to Lingshi or Jiexiu, then transfer Bus to Wang’s Family Compound.
A taxi or private car is also available. Usually, it takes about 40 minutes and costs about 100 yuan.
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.
