Shanhaiguan Wang Family Courtyard Scenic Area

Shanhaiguan Wang Family Courtyard Scenic Area

The Shanhaiguan Wang Family Courtyard Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Wang Family Courtyard, also known as the Shanhaiguan Folk Museum, is located on the west side of the majestic "First Pass Under Heaven" and situated on Dong San Tiao in Shanhaiguan. It is the first residence at the starting point of the Great Wall. This folk-themed specialized museum covers an area of over ten acres with a built-up area of more than 2,000 square meters. It is divided into three enclosed courtyards and 18 exhibition halls, forming a typical Ming and Qing-style quadrangle courtyard. The courtyard was first built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, featuring a rigorously arranged layout and an elegant, distinctive style. “Blue bricks pave the ground, tiled roofs layer upon layer; lattice windows reflect the corridors, while swaying green bamboos and lush grasses sway, with swallows chirping and butterflies dancing amid fragrant blossoms.” The Wang family prospered during the Xianfeng era and by the Guangxu era had become wealthy merchants, dominating “half of Shanhaiguan.” The architectural style of the Wang Family Courtyard and the exhibits in the Shanhaiguan Folk Museum authentically recreate the beautiful scroll of the ancient city’s cultural development, representing a precious legacy formed by the long river of history.

Wang Family Courtyard Scenic Area

This is not the Wang Family Courtyard in Lingshi County, Shanxi Province. Instead, it is the one located in Qinhuangdao, known as the “First Residence Under the Great Wall,” also called the Shanhaiguan Folk Museum. It is situated on the west side of the majestic “First Pass Under Heaven” and located on Dong San Tiao in Shanhaiguan.

It rose to prominence in the Ming Dynasty and reached its peak in the late Qing Dynasty. The owner was a salt merchant from Shanxi who was once immensely wealthy, even reputed to control “the southern half of Shanhaiguan.” Legend has it that Wu Sangui stayed briefly in this courtyard with the famous beauty Chen Yuanyuan while stationed at Shanhaiguan. However, according to historical records, when Li Zicheng's forces approached the capital, Wu Sangui was still on his way to reinforce the city, and the Ming Dynasty had already fallen. Originally planning to surrender to Li Zicheng, Wu changed his mind and pledged allegiance to the Manchus after hearing that Chen Yuanyuan had been taken by Li Zicheng’s subordinate Liu Zongmin. He then led the Qing troops through Shanhaiguan. Whether Chen Yuanyuan ever set foot in Shanhaiguan remains uncertain.

The courtyard is a typical Ming and Qing-style quadrangle, covering about 10 acres. The entire compound is well arranged with staggered buildings and layers of courtyards, presenting a grand and fully functional structure. It includes rooms such as the young master’s chamber, the young lady’s room, the bridal chamber, the study, and more. The exquisitely crafted wood carvings, stone carvings, and brick carvings are elegant, meaningful, practical, and aesthetically pleasing. The architectural style is rugged and dignified yet refined and unique.

There are currently 55 rooms within four enclosed courtyards, with a built-up area of approximately 2,000 square meters, divided into 8 exhibition halls. The site houses tens of thousands of exhibits—folk relics carefully collected and preserved by private collectors and enthusiasts. These items cover folk art, marriage and funeral customs, local cuisine, and traditional ceremonies. From large items like beds and furniture to small ones like needles and threads, from gold and silver jewelry to clothing and fabrics, candleholders and lamps, cabinets and tables, pillows and quilts, hats and shoes, bronze basins and utensils, porcelain and lacquerware cups and plates, grooming tools, brush washers and paperweights, inkstones and seals, musical instruments such as zithers and flutes, as well as items used for playing music and appreciating antiques—everything needed for daily life is represented. The collection is incredibly rich and vividly reflects the civilian life of the Ming and Qing periods, recreating the splendor of wealthy households at the time. The architectural style of the Wang Family Courtyard and the exhibits in the Shanhaiguan Folk Museum authentically recreate the beautiful scroll of the ancient city’s cultural development, representing a precious legacy formed by the long river of history. Being there feels like traveling back hundreds of years... to the civilian life of the Ming and Qing eras.

From large items like beds and furniture to small ones like needles and threads, from gold and silver jewelry to clothing and fabrics, candleholders and lamps, cabinets and tables, pillows and quilts, hats and shoes, bronze basins and utensils, porcelain and lacquerware cups and plates, grooming tools, to treasures and the “Four Treasures of the Study”... Only by being there can you truly experience the profoundness and long-standing heritage of Chinese culture. Square spring stools, Eight Immortals tables, sipping old wine, tasting fresh tea, enjoying famous snacks, and listening to traditional music.

Address: No. 29, Dong San Tiao, Shanhaiguan Ancient City, Qinhuangdao City

Type: Historical Site Museum

Official Website: http://www.wjdy.com.cn/cyy.php

Opening Hours:

8:30-17:00

Ticket Information:

Adult Ticket: 25 RMB, Senior & Student Ticket: 15 RMB