Red Gate Grand Manor: Wang Family Courtyard

Author: Tang Jin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: "People Speak of Shanxi · Shanxi Tourism Culture Graphic Book Series" (Volume) consists of 12 volumes, including "A Detailed Look at Pingyao," "Qiao Family Courtyard," "Confucian Merchant Family · Chang Family Courtyard," etc. Each volume features over 200 stunning images and textual introductions on local history, folk culture, and other content, allowing readers to get a comprehensive view of Shanxi's important tourism and cultural attractions. "Shanxi's architecture, sculptures, murals, dramas, folk customs, etc., are truly captivating. Even the embroidery and silver locks are irresistible." Professor Ge Jianxiong, Director of the Institute of Historical Geography at Fudan University, said so. He enthusiastically called this series "Shanxi's geographical calling card." Shanxi is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese culture, and its long history has endowed it with a rich cultural heritage. Currently, more than 70% of the ancient buildings in Shanxi are among the only remaining ones in China. Shanxi has 119 key cultural relic protection units at the national level, ranking first in the country. Among them are numerous world-renowned historical and cultural heritage sites such as the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, the Liao Dynasty Wooden Pagoda, the Hanging Temple, and the Buddhist sacred Mount Wutai. There are also classic cultural tourism attractions like the ancient city of Pingyao, the merchant mansions of Shanxi, and the Hukou Waterfall. However, due to the lack of a systematic "Shanxi Cultural Index Reader" published so far, many people have only a vague understanding of Shanxi's cultural landmarks, still like looking at the flowers through mist, unable to grasp the full picture. "People Speak of Shanxi · Shanxi Cultural Tourism Book Series" fully showcases Shanxi's important tourism attractions, serving as a three-dimensional index map for Shanxi tourism. The series is edited by the critic Yan Jingming, who said, "Most of the authors of this series are middle-aged and young writers from Shanxi, who are like local guides for Shanxi, deeply familiar with the region and authentic—this is also an important strategy for Shanxi in building this 'local brand.'" In the hands of a young writer, a vast ancient folk architectural complex is broken down into pieces. Behind the cold and concise paper lies a historical review of the formation of the Wang Family Courtyard, an exquisite appreciation of its architectural art, the divisions and reunions of the Wang family's ancestors, and a re-examination of the commercial myths and civilizations of the Shanxi merchants during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Due to the virtues of benevolence, diligence, fortune, and kindness, it is considered a place close to auspicious blessings. Today, overseas and domestic Wang clans regard the Wang Family Courtyard as the root of their family, with large numbers of Wang clan members visiting for worship every year. The courtyard preserves multiple copies of the Wang family genealogy, over 1,300 volumes, providing migration clues for all those seeking their ancestors.