The Ye Family Residence in Sanmenyuan

The Ye Family Residence in Sanmenyuan

The Ye Family Residence in Sanmenyuan is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Era: Qing Dynasty

Address: Sanmenyuan Village, Shifo Township, Longyou County, Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province

This residence is a representative masterpiece of late Qing Dynasty architecture. It was built in 1846, the 26th year of the Daoguang reign, after Ye Hetian, a villager, earned the title of Enrolled Gentleman. Oriented east to west and built against the mountain, the original complex consisted of five main buildings, of which three remain. The gate plaques are inscribed with phrases including “Orchids and Irises Grace the Seat,” “Azaleas Bloom Evergreen,” and “Walls Alive with Spring.” The site also includes courtyards, gardens, and ponds, covering an area of 4,500 square meters.

The Ye Family architectural complex features a rigorous layout, exquisite design, grand scale, and ingenious composition, maintaining the typical style of Jiangnan-style residences from the mid to late Qing Dynasty. The hall pillars and beams are sturdy, and the roof truss structure is unique. Ceilings, beams, corridors, and window lattices are all intricately carved, gilded, and painted. The use of courtyards helps regulate drainage and ventilation while improving indoor lighting. Despite the high walls and deep rooms, air circulates well, creating a bright and comfortable environment. Among them, “Orchids and Irises Grace the Seat” is the most exquisite, laid out in three sections with two open halls, and is considered a masterpiece among residences.

The artistic brick carvings are the highlight of the Ye Family architectural complex. All three main gates are inlaid with brick carvings featuring pavilions, landscapes, animals, and floral and bird motifs. Among them, 23 opera-themed brick carvings, each measuring 56 cm by 26 cm, depict individual scenes from traditional plays. These carvings are intricately carved, hollowed out, exquisitely crafted, and vividly shaped, making them rare treasures of immense cultural value and valuable resources for the study of traditional opera.

Sanmenyuan Village: Located in Shifo Township in the northern part of Longyou County, Zhejiang Province, Sanmenyuan Village is 28 kilometers from the county seat. It lies at the foot of the Qianligang Mountain Range to the north and borders the Jinhua-Quzhou Basin to the south. The villagers are primarily surnamed Weng and Ye, who began settling here from the late Northern Song Dynasty to the sixth year of the Xianchun reign of the Southern Song Dynasty.

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Sanmenyuan Village is graced by a stream that flows from north to south through the village, creating a tranquil and picturesque setting. Buildings line both sides of the stream, following the contour of the mountain, with pebble-paved lanes, whitewashed walls, black tiles, and staggered horsehead walls of varying heights. The murmuring stream and reflections of arched bridges complete the serene mountain village scene. The village has largely preserved its original layout and... Detailed information about Sanmenyuan Village ++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units