Sanmenyuan

Sanmenyuan

Sanmenyuan is an ancient small mountain village located in Shifo Township. Surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and north sides, a mountain stream runs from north to south through the village, creating picturesque scenery with its clear waters and beautiful landscape. The village’s layout and buildings have retained almost intact the typical architectural style of civilian residences from the Qing Dynasty’s Jiangcun region, with the Ye family residence complex in the eastern part of the village being especially refined. It stands as a representation of late Qing Dynasty architectural masterpieces in Zhejiang Province. Constructed in the 26th year of the Daoguang reign (1846) after Ye Hetian, a native of the village, was awarded the title of “Enrolled Scholar,” the complex faces west and is built against the mountain. Originally consisting of five main buildings, three remain today, each with gate plaques inscribed with phrases such as “Orchids Grace the Hall,” “Everlasting Prosperity of the Hawthorn Blossoms,” and “Spring Within the Enclosure.” The complex 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 characteristics of civilian residences in the Jiangnan region during the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty. The pillars and beams in the halls are thick and sturdy, with a unique structure for the roof framing. The caisson ceilings, beams, corridors, and window lattices are all exquisitely carved and gilded.

Thanks to the use of sky wells to regulate drainage, ventilation, and improve indoor lighting, despite the high walls and deep rooms, the air circulates well, ensuring a bright and comfortable living environment. Among them, “Orchids Grace the Hall” is the most intricate, featuring a layout of three courtyards with two open halls, and is regarded as a masterpiece among civilian dwellings.

The artistic brick carvings are the highlight of the Ye family architectural complex. All three main gates are inlaid with brick carvings depicting pavilions, landscapes, animals, and floral and bird patterns. Among them, there are 23 opera-themed brick carvings, each measuring 56 cm in length and 26 cm in width. Each brick carving portrays a scene from a traditional opera, featuring relief and openwork carving techniques. With exquisite craftsmanship and vivid designs, these carvings are rare treasures of immense value and also serve as precious resources for the study of traditional opera.

Near the village lies Fanshen Mountain, which rises over 660 meters above sea level. A solitary peak stands tall with a majestic presence. According to geological surveys, it is a volcano, and its summit features a conical volcanic crater that resembles an enormous rice steamer. Surrounded by drifting clouds, it looks like wisps of cooking smoke rising gently into the air.

Walking 2 kilometers north along the mountain path, you’ll come across a waterfall cascading from the sky — the Bafoyan Waterfall. Bafoyan stands at an elevation of 700 meters with steep terrain. As noted in the historical text *Dushi Fangyu Jiyao*, the area is described as “extremely precipitous and rarely visited by humans.” The waterfall is about 3 meters wide and drops approximately 70 meters, plunging down from the sheer cliffs of Bafoyan. It resembles a hanging silk ribbon, splashing like jumping pearls, and scattering like a mist of silver. From a distance, it appears still and silent; up close, the rushing waters are loud and powerful. The Tang Dynasty Taoist priest Ye Fashan once practiced here, and several faintly visible Buddha niches can be found on the rock face. Nearby the waterfall, there are other scenic spots such as Luohan Mountain, General Ridge, Immortal Peak, and Dianyi Cave. In the northeast corner lies Ship Mountain, where the shapes of a stone boat and stone figures are strikingly lifelike and remarkably realistic.