According to historical documents, a young man named Wang Shi moved to Jingsheng in 1313. After settling down he engaged in farming and also sold tofu for a living. In the following generations, Wang's descendants, who started off as farmers, became merchants and then officials. As the family's finances and prestige increased, extensive construction work began, giving birth to a great compound of residential houses reputed as China's number one residence.

The Wang compound, which consists of the eastern and western complexes, and the Xiaoyi Ancestral Temple, covers a total area of 34,650 square meters. As a whole, the residence features a functional layout and distinctive design, with wood, brick and stone carvings distributed throughout. Exquisite designs and fine craftsmanship are featured almost everywhere -- from the eaves to the screen walls, to stone bases, doorknockers, shrines, doors, windows and dougong (wooden square blocks inserted between the top of a column and a crossbeam). The mansion integrates an imposing manner from North China's architecture and South China's elegant and graceful structure style. Paintings of humans, flowers and animals, as well as calligraphic works of poetry adorn the houses. Standing out among the many residences in Shanxi Province, the Wang family residence is regarded as a museum of architectural art.

The construction of the eastern complex began in 1796 and lasted 16 years. With 218 rooms in 26 courtyards, rising one upon the other according to the gradations of the mountain, the compound was built to face the water. Smaller courtyards are enclosed within larger ones, forming four concentric circles in all, each surrounded by high walls. The main structures are symmetrically laid out along an axis and the halls, towers and pavilions are built in accordance to geographic conditions. Study courtyards, gardens and kitchen courtyards compliment one another brilliantly.

Stepping into the Wang compound, one feels as though he or she has entered a maze or an arena of arts and culture. The strong sense of Confucianism permeates the entire compound, guiding visitors into a lofty, spiritual realm.

In 1997, the eastern complex, which was named the Museum of the Chinese Art of Residence, was opened to the public. To date, it has received thousands upon thousands of visitors from both home and abroad.

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