The Old House of Yangjiawan

The Old House of Yangjiawan

The Old House of Yangjiawan is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Old House of Yangjiawan is located in Group 1, Dongyue Temple Village, Sandouping Town, Yiling District, Yichang City, within the Three Gorges Dam area.

The Old House of Yangjiawan was originally built in the 52nd year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1787) and expanded during the Daoguang era (1820–1850). It is a brick-and-wood structure with a rectangular layout. The building extends two courtyards in depth and links eleven rooms horizontally, featuring seven courtyards in total. The central bay and main halls use a post-and-lintel wooden frame, while other rooms employ a flush-gable roof design. The roof is covered with grey tiles arranged in a well-balanced composition, complemented by distinctive firewalls and front/rear eaves. The main gate is adorned with an overhanging eave, and its frame is crafted from polished bluestone slabs. The gate pillars are decorated with shallow-relief carvings of deer and cranes in a spring scene. Upon entering the gate, one passes through a wooden partition wall, two side doors, the front hall, a courtyard, the main hall, rear rooms, and side rooms. The courtyards between the secondary and minor rooms are interspersed, surrounded by corridors. The sides are reinforced with bluestone parapet walls, topped with lattice windows featuring intricate carvings. The architecture offers effective water drainage, moisture resistance, and lighting. From 1939 to 1945, during the War of Resistance against Japan, it served as the headquarters of the Thirty Army’s River Defense Command.

The spatial arrangement of the Old House of Yangjiawan is meticulous, with its rooftops and firewalls arranged in a dynamic yet harmonious layout, and its courtyards—both large and small—positioned thoughtfully. The decorative elements feature exquisitely carved details and richly painted patterns, reflecting a high level of traditional architectural artistry and craftsmanship. In addition, the Old House of Yangjiawan is also a commemorative structure of the war effort, holding significant patriotic educational value. It is the only cultural relic building within the Three Gorges Dam area that has been preserved in its original location.

Dongyue Temple Village: Located at the southern end of the Xiling Yangtze River Bridge, known as "China's No.1 Span," Dongyue Temple Village is one of the major relocation villages in Sandouping Town. It is 3.5 kilometers from the Sandouping Town government and 4 kilometers from the Three Gorges Dam. The Yichang–Badong Provincial Highway runs through the village for 5 kilometers. The village covers an area of 1.46 square kilometers, governs four villager groups, and has a population of 2,030. In 2007, its total economic income was 23.06 million yuan, with a per capita income of 4,347 yuan. The local climate and soil are suitable for growing various crops and citrus fruits. The main industry is citrus cultivation, with 192 acres of citrus groves currently producing 245 tons of citrus annually. The village also hosts individual... Detailed information about Dongyue Temple Village ++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units