When you think of the Forbidden City, you might imagine grandeur and majesty. But what if there was a private residence in China that rivaled it in size and splendor?
This is the Wang Family Compound, a private estate that is 1.6 times larger than the Forbidden City. It is known as the “Folk Palace of China” and the “Number One Residence of the Chinese People.” Locals say, “After seeing the Wang residence, no other mansion is worth looking at.”
Located in Lingshi County, Shanxi, this place has even impressed academics. Professor Wang Luxiang of Tsinghua University said, “Wang is a surname, and a surname is half a nation; a ‘jia’ (family) is a courtyard, and a courtyard is half a city.” 
A Mansion Larger Than the Forbidden City
“The Purple City of Shanxi”
Just how big is the Wang Family Compound? It is said that even with a guide, people get lost! While the Forbidden City has a floor area of about 150,000 square meters, the Wang Family Compound spans 250,000 square meters, making it 100,000 square meters larger! The better-known Qiao Family Compound, has 313 rooms and 20 courtyards, only one-tenth the size of the Wang Compound.
A Legacy of 300 Years
Like Rome, the Wang Family Compound wasn’t built in a day. Twenty-eight generations of the Wang clan spent over 300 years to complete the massive project. Today, the compound has over 8000 rooms, spread across five lanes, six fortresses, and one main street. Built into the landscape, it looks more like a fortress than a courtyard.
An Immersive Experience
When you enter, you’ll be struck by its sheer scale. Currently, only a quarter of the compound is open, mainly the Hongmen Fort and Gao Family Cliff areas. These two areas alone can convey the grandeur of the entire place!
Gao Family Cliff
The Gao Family Cliff spans 19,000 square meters and has 35 courtyards and 65 doors connecting different areas. Each courtyard has its own study, garden, kitchen, bedroom, and surrounding walls. It’s easy to get lost here!
Hongmen Fort
The Hongmen Fort, built 100 years earlier than the Gao Family Cliff, is even more impressive. A 180-meter Dragon Scale Street runs through three 100-meter-long side streets. Seen from above, the layout of the courtyards and alleys forms a giant “王” (Wang) character, which is the family’s surname! The two areas contain a total of 123 courtyards and 1118 rooms. Lush greenery and pavilions are visible from every spot, showcasing the clan’s taste and style.
A Museum of Carved Art
More Than Size
The Wang Family Compound is not just large; it’s a museum of carving art. From the gates to the inner courtyards, the intricate carvings, found everywhere, are simply breathtaking.
Stone Lions
At the entrance, you’ll see stone lions, acting as protectors. Each lion is unique, with its own expression and posture.
The Lion and the Embroidered Ball
The screen wall opposite the gate depicts lions playing with an embroidered ball. This image symbolizes good luck and the hope for many descendants.
Details and Symbolism
The Wang family’s pursuit of marital bliss and many children is seen throughout the compound in patterns that symbolize fertility. It’s true, that the Wangs had carvings with specific meanings, everywhere you looked!
A Family Legacy
The compound’s past is like a book. Every courtyard, every alley, and every carving reflects the clan’s history, values, and culture. It was all built bit by bit, with each generation making improvements and adding more.
From Humble Beginnings
The Wang family began as tofu sellers, moving from agriculture to commerce, and then to officialdom. During the Qing Dynasty, the family produced 101 officials, from fifth to second rank. This shows that their wealth wasn’t superficial, but rooted in culture.
Couplets and Plaques
Throughout the complex, there are many different inscriptions. At Hongmen Fort, a plaque says “规圆矩方”, meaning to be more than regular. The character for “矩” (ruler) is carved with an extra stroke, meaning “be more than by the rules.”
The School
At the Wang children’s school, the door frame is made of bluestone and decorated with bamboo carvings, which encourages them to strive for excellence.
A Decline, Then Preservation
Unfortunately, after the Daoguang period, the Wang family declined. Some of the estate was sold off. Luckily, locals moved in, which kept the compound from falling into disrepair. The compound is the reminder of a powerful family whose story is now a thing of the past.
If you visit Shanxi, explore the Wang Family Compound to appreciate its grandeur and beauty!
