His father was a high school Chinese teacher who also worked for Tian Yi Ge, one of the oldest libraries in China.
During the Japanese invasion of China he was forced to flee his hometown as a refugee and completed his middle school education while on the run.
[2] After graduating from the Department of History of Peking University in July 1950, Wang joined the newly established Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, working and studying under Xia Nai, the institute's vice director who is considered a founder of modern Chinese archaeology.
[1][4] In October 1950 he joined his first major excavation in Huixian, Henan province, focussing on Han dynasty tombs under the guidance of Xia Nai.
His excavation report for the Balhae projects won an award from the National Social Science Fund and the Guo Moruo Chinese History Prize.
[1] Wang was known for his unique approach and study of subjects ranging from castle towns, tombs, and ancient bronze mirrors.
He focused his research on sankakubuchishinjukyo, the triangular-rimmed bronze mirrors bearing mythical and animal designs, which were discovered in the tomb.