Local Vernacular Architecture of Suoyuan Village

Local Vernacular Architecture of Suoyuan Village

The vernacular architecture of Suoyuan Village is a cultural heritage site protected by Zhejiang Province.

Suoyuan Village is located in Lipu Town, Jindong District, Jinhua, and has a history of over 400 years. Known for its rich literary tradition and talented residents, the village is hailed as a "village of wonders." Among its well-preserved ancient structures are more than ten halls and memorial archways from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, including the Yan Family Ancestral Hall, the Huang Family Chastity Memorial Archway, Wuben Hall, and Huaidé Hall. These buildings feature diverse architectural structures and artistic styles, all embodying the typical characteristics of traditional Jiangnan-style residences.

The selection of Suoyuan Village as the ancestral home of the Yan family over 400 years ago can be traced back to a feng shui folk rhyme: “With Lingyue Mountain above, the Golden Saddle Bridge below, drinking the waters of West Lake, and sheltered by the wings of the Qilin.” According to experts and scholars, the villages of Yandian, Cheke, and Zijiangtang in Xiaoshun Town, Huanggu in Tangya Town, and Suoyuan and Hubei in Lipu Town were all settlements of Yan descendants. These six villages were established strictly according to the “Five Elements” principles of feng shui. For example, Yandian was associated with “green,” Cheke with “white,” Zijiangtang with “purple,” Huanggu with “yellow,” and Suoyuan and Hubei with “black.” Naming these six villages as the “Five-Colored Lands” — Qing (green), Bai (white), Huang (yellow), Zi (purple), and Hei (black) — reflects the evolution of the Five Elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

Surrounding Suoyuan Village are seven small hills, with a lake to the north, forming a natural celestial pattern known as the “Seven Stars Embracing the Moon.” Coupled with the surrounding water system, this layout embodies the harmonious unity of humans and nature, reflecting the concept of “Heaven and Man as One.” The entire village is situated on a “dragon’s back,” resembling an auspicious golden lock. Hence, the ancestors named it “Lock Garden.” Over centuries, later generations felt that the character “锁 (lock)” carried connotations of closure and conservatism, so they replaced it with the homophonous and similarly shaped “琐 (intricate),” renaming the village “Suoyuan (Intricate Garden).”

One of the highlights of Suoyuan Village is its grand complex of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. According to the Yan family genealogy, Yan Bisheng, the 51st-generation descendant of Yan Ziling during the Qing Dynasty, was rewarded by the emperor for quelling bandit uprisings in Liangguang and was granted permission to hold office. He built 18 elaborately carved halls in his hometown of Suoyuan. Despite the passage of time, 16 well-preserved structures from the late Ming and early Qing periods remain, including the Chastity Stone Memorial Archway, Yan Family Ancestral Hall, Wuben Hall, Huaidé Hall, and Juyi Hall. This makes it one of the largest ancient architectural complexes in Jinhua.

For example, Jiyi Hall, also called the Square Hall, features various square stone pillars, wooden beams, and wooden fences upon entering the main hall. The front section has square lattice windows, while the rear section has square beams supporting brackets and lattice screens. The most distinctive aspect of this hall is the ingenious design of the bracket arms and arch braces as a soaring dragon, incredibly lifelike. Similarly, Jishu Hall and Zhongshu Hall are two symmetrical quadrangle courtyards separated by screen doors, commonly referred to as double-faced halls. The carvings in these halls are extremely refined — apart from the vividly sculpted animals and flowers on the beams and bracket arms, the window lattices and waist boards depict exquisitely crafted ancient pavilions, temples, and landscapes. The four main gate awnings are adorned with exquisite brick carvings of qilins, phoenixes, pine trees and cranes, and flowers, representing some of the finest examples of ancient Chinese architectural carving.

The Yan Family Ancestral Hall is the largest ancient structure in the southern part of the village. It has four sections, is 20 meters wide, and nearly 63 meters deep, offering a spacious and bright interior. Each section has a courtyard, with wing rooms connecting the courtyards on both sides. The main gate of the ancestral hall is shaped like a traditional Chinese eight-character form, and above the door is a plaque dating back to the Qianlong era. The inscription “High Mountains and Long Waters” is taken from a text written by Fan Zhongyan after he discovered descendants of Yan Ziling. To the right of the Yan Family Ancestral Hall stands a Chastity Stone Memorial Archway built in the 52nd year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty. The horizontal beam of the archway is inscribed with the words “Built for the wife of the late villager Yan Xipei, Lady Huang.” The archway is intricately carved and commands a majestic presence.

“All descendants should know their place and live in peace, and must never engage in litigation. Matters that lead to disputes have their own principles, which should be resolved through public discussion and fair judgment. Those who act defiantly and disregard these principles, thereby harming family harmony, will be regarded as troublemakers, and the entire clan will jointly report them.” Today, these 16 family precepts and teachings have become widely known maxims. The older generation adheres to them steadfastly, while the younger generation recites them from childhood.

Suoyuan Village, named for its lock-like shape, also has a glorious history. During the War of Resistance against Japan, the villagers valiantly fought against the Japanese invaders. Today, the remnants of a Japanese artillery position on Wangmu Mountain near the village still stand and have become a base for patriotic education. On January 7, 2011, Suoyuan Village was designated as a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Site.

Lipu Town: Lipu Town is located east of downtown Jinhua. To the northeast, it borders Yiwu City and Wuyi County; to the west, it connects with Jiangdong Town and Duohu Subdistrict; to the south, it neighbors Lingxia Town; and to the northwest, across the Yiwu River, it faces Tangya Town and Dongxiao Subdistrict. The town government is based in Lipu Village, approximately 15 kilometers from the city center (10 kilometers from the Jindong District government). The town covers a total area of 98.5 square kilometers, with 13,770 households and a population of 34,160. It administers 63 administrative villages and 91 natural villages, with a population density of 346.8 people per square kilometer. Lipu is an ancient market town and was formerly known as... [More detailed information about Lipu Town++]

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites