Yu Yao Zhuangyuanlou

Yu Yao Zhuangyuanlou

Yu Yao Zhuangyuanlou is a cultural heritage site protected by the People’s Government of Yu Yao City.

Zhuangyuanlou is located within the Pavilion of the Elderly official’s Residence in Simen Town. It is said to be the place where Xie Qian studied as a child, and it is a Ming Dynasty structure.

Xie Qian (1449–1531), styled Yüqiao and also known as Mushai, was awarded the title of Grand Tutor after his death, held the posthumous name Wen Zheng, and served as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Minister of War, and Grand Secretary of the Dongge Hall, among other high offices. He was known for his integrity, uprightness, and loyalty, and is remembered as one of history’s most esteemed and virtuous statesmen.

After becoming Zhuangyuan (the top imperial scholar), Xie Qian expanded and renovated the place where he had once studied, and the building has since been called Zhuangyuanlou. Surrounded by walls, the building faces south, features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof with upturned corners, and spans a width of 15.90 meters across three bays and two wings, with a depth of 10.50 meters. It uses a combined beam-frame structure of raised beams and pierced rafters, supported by nine purlins and seven columns. Having stood for over 500 years, Zhuangyuanlou retains much of its original architectural structure and appearance, making it an extremely valuable and rare example, and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Yu Yao. Architecturally, it also showcases unique techniques and stylistic features, holding significant value for the study of early Ming-era architecture in eastern Zhejiang.

On March 19, 1997, the building was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site by the People’s Government of Yu Yao City.

A native of Yu Yao, Zhejiang, styled Yüqiao and also known as Mushai. Born in the 14th year of the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty (1449), died in the 10th year of the Jiajing era (1531). Zhuangyuan (top imperial scholar) of the 11th year of the Chenghua era (1475), during the Yiwei examination session.

Refusing Lust, Exposing Immorality, and Rising to Zhuangyuan:

One evening, a young maiden from a neighboring household, taking advantage of her parents’ trip to the provincial capital to visit relatives, secretly entered Xie Qian’s study — a place she had long admired. She tried various ways to flirt and get close to him. At first, Xie Qian treated her with courtesy, but when he saw how shameless she was, he sternly reprimanded her: “You are a young lady and should preserve your dignity and self-discipline. How dare you behave so shamelessly? Had I not...”—Full details about Xie Qian++

Simen Town: [Geographical Features] Simen Town is located in the northwest of the city, 23 kilometers from the urban center. In ancient times, it was also called Simen or the Fourth Gate. The southwestern part of the town originally had the Ru Chou Lake, which covered an area of 100,000 mu. The embankment of Ru Chou Lake had four gates on the eastern side to release water for irrigation. With water flowing in four directions, it was called "Si" (four), hence the name Simen. The town covers an area of 66.3 square kilometers, bordering Xiaocao’e Town and Langxia Subdistrict to the east, Mazhu Town to the south, Linshan Town to the west, and facing Hangzhou Bay to the north, across the water from Haiyan County. It administers Dongpu, Zhennan, Shangxinwu, Hainan, Zhenbei, Sibei, Taojialu, Wansheng, Xianggongtan, Xiejialu, Jiatang, Xiaoluxia, Hubei, Lianshu... Full details about Simen Town++