Wang Family Courtyard Red Gate Fortification Complex

Wang Family Courtyard Red Gate Fortification Complex

The Wang Family Courtyard Red Gate Fortification Complex is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Red Gate Fortification Complex was built between the fourth year of the Qianlong era (1739) and the fifty-eighth year of the Qianlong era (1793), covering a total area of 25,000 square meters. The entire complex is built against a mountain, ascending from low to high, consisting of four rows of courtyards symmetrically arranged on the left and right. A central main lane and three cross lanes form a neat “Wang” character. The 29 courtyards vary in structure and decoration based on the status and preferences of their owners, presenting different styles. The China Wang Clan Museum and the Liqun Art Gallery, both located in the Red Gate Fortification, offer visitors ample space for exploration and appreciation.

(1) Sima Courtyard — Located in the West Lane of the Second Section of the Red Gate Fortification, the Sima Courtyard was the residence of Wang Yinde, the sixteenth-generation descendant of the Wang family. This courtyard is characterized by one main gate controlling three sub-gates, which lead to four separate courtyards. Each of the four courtyards has a distinct theme: Advancement in Office, Increase in Salary, Added Fortune, and Extended Longevity.

(2) Green Gate Courtyard — Situated in the East Lane of the Third Section of the Red Gate Fortification, the Green Gate Courtyard was the home of Wang Zhongji, also a sixteenth-generation descendant of the Wang family. It is a typical northern-style quadrangle courtyard. The courtyard is richly decorated with elaborate carvings, especially notable for the wooden hanging lattice “Full Bed of Halberds” and the stone carving “Four Loves Painting.”

(3) Dingjia Garden — The shared garden of the Red Gate Fortification features a front-garden-back-courtyard layout. The front section consists of four interconnected gardens where the owners could enjoy the scenery, flowers, tea, chess, and games after meals. The rear courtyard offers a tranquil environment, ideal for the owners to write and study.

Address: Jingxing Town, Lingshi County, Shanxi Province

Jingxing Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Lingshi County. Established as the Jingxing Commune in 1958 and upgraded to a town in 1984. It is located in the northeastern part of the county, 15 kilometers from the county seat. National Highway 108 passes through the town. The town administers 16 village committees: Jingxing, Qijie, Jiguang, Yinfang, Suxi, Nanpu, Nanyuan, Caoqiao, Hougou, Shuaijiashan, Liushuyuan, Jinduan??, Jiaozhong, Shijiashan, Hetaowa, and Tuhuangpo. Local industries include coal mining, coking, transportation, and construction. The main agricultural products are wheat, corn, millet, and vegetables. Historical sites include Shang Dynasty tombs, Zishou Temple and Confucius Temple in Suxi Village, the Wenfeng Pagoda, and the Kuixing Tower.

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