The Features of Wang is Grand Courtyard
in this luxurious residence, there are halls in the front and the rooms at the back with 3
entrances and 40 closed sides. The front is lower and the back is higher, and the courtyard
complied with the various requirement. The design of the building is carefully thought
out, and reflected the dignity of the family, for it provided the official residence and the
perfection of the patriarchal clan system. It cuts a conspicuous figure in the surrounding
country outside and is closely linked inside. The fort gate, fort wall, the front gate, the
middle gate and the back gate with the 4 closed circles of the yard guarantee the safety of
their ]ryes and wealth. The huge architectural complexes may be rated as the first unique
point of this mansion.
The styles of the architecture and decoration are the epitome of elegance. The proper
combination of the north and the south styles of the architecture make it the peaceful and
secluded place that has the character of both overall momentum and richness, orderly
scattered, property rising and falling. The subject for scholarly paintings like bamboo,plum, pine, especially like chess, calligraphy and lyre-playlng are applied to the
decorations of woodcut, carved brick and carved stone. It not only sends forth
bookishness but also opens up a new field for archbe~tural decoration in north China.
The culture of the yard has merged that of the three religions of Confucianism, Taoism
and Buddhism. Their principles and philosophies are reflected on the subject malter of the
woodcut, carved stone and carved bricks. The exquisite brick stones and woodczrvings
are the second unique point.
As a residence, the design has the comfort and safety as its features too. Besides~ the
courtyard retains all the key elements of the residence in north China. A great number of
l~fined works of the folk art in the north lave been preserved in the yard. The folk
craftsmen have various subject matters, rich contents and varied means to display the great
achievements of the art when building those architectural bodies and decorations. These,
along with the meaningful pillar scroll couplets and hotizontaI inscribed boards are the third
unique aspect of the buildings. People can still have the opportunity to enjoy the ancient
folk culture while fueling the rich flavor of modentization. It is said lhat all but the big
courtyard of the Wangs are unworthy of visiting ill north China.
In 1996~ the local government spent a huge sum on renovating the heavily damaged
courtyard of the Wangs. It opened as the lnuseum of China's residential art in 1997.
Part 4 Hakkas' Earthen Buildings (Kejias' Tulou)