Yuyuan Tai Chi Star Village

Yuyuan Tai Chi Star Village, located approximately 20 kilometers from Wuyi County, is the origin of the Yu family lineage. It is said that the area was once plagued by disasters such as floods and droughts. During the Ming Dynasty, Liu Bowen redesigned the village according to the celestial constellations, constructing buildings like the Big Dipper-shaped Qi Xing Pond and Qi Xing Well, which brought an end to the disasters. Today, Yuyuan remains largely undeveloped for tourism, retaining its original simplicity and attracting few visitors. Occasionally, one can spot art students sketching the scenery. The village’s Sheng Yuan Hall, Yu Family Ancestral Hall, and some old residences feature exquisite carvings that are well worth a visit. The village is not large, making it ideal for walking tours.

Upon entering the scenic area, one first passes through an ancient forest with many trees over 600 years old. Beside the forest, an S-shaped stream flows gently. From a high vantage point, the open space on this side and the rice fields on the other form an immense Tai Chi diagram, with the fish eyes being a sunken circular pit and a towering circular grove of trees. The Bowen Thatched Cottage at the entrance of the village was built in memory of Liu Bowen, and the exhibition inside displays his life, handwriting, and statues. Continuing into the village, one must pass through the Xuanwu Gate to truly enter. Along the way, one encounters a sunflower garden, which is picturesque when the sunflowers are in bloom.

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The first stop is the Yu Family Ancestral Hall, which features a beautifully carved stage and numerous plaques, mostly containing the Yu family’s teachings. Inside the hall, there is a large scale model of Yuyuan Village, giving visitors a general understanding of the layout. Behind the Yu Family Ancestral Hall is the Li Family Ancestral Hall, which is much smaller and has been turned into a folk artifacts exhibition, suitable for a casual browse. Crossing the bridge over the stream and turning right, one soon arrives at the Sheng Yuan Hall. This ancient residence is not only large in scale but also notable for its carvings. The hall’s three main beams are carved with animals that fly in the sky, walk on land, and swim in water, all lifelike. The ‘Hundred Fish Beam’ is particularly incredible – the nine carp on the beam change to yellow, red, and black colors with the climate, a phenomenon visitors cannot witness but can appreciate the craftsman’s ingenuity.

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The Dongzhu Temple on the edge of the village has a history of over 700 years. Beside an ancient camphor tree, there is an inscription from the Daoguang period, reputed for its efficacy in granting prayers. If someone encourages you to burn incense and donate, politely decline if you do not intend to. Although some newly built houses in recent years have made the village feel somewhat chaotic, the eastern side of the village is home to many characteristic residences with carvings and appearances suitable for photography. It’s worth taking some time to stroll and explore. Among them, the wood and brick carvings of Shang Wanchun Hall and Jing Shen Building are particularly exquisite. Yu Hou Hall is a large-scale building in the village with 108 rooms, featuring rare exquisite wood carvings and a highlight of the dragon and phoenix beams. Crossing the road beside the stream on the west side of the village and following the stone steps up the mountain, one can overlook the entire village, with the previously mentioned rice fields forming a Tai Chi pattern visible in full view.

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Most of the farmhouses in the village that provide food and accommodation are relatively simple, and tourists generally do not stay or dine here.

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Several kilometers around the village, attractions such as Qingfengzhai and Liuxiulong, which are famous Danxia landscapes in Wuyi, can be arranged to visit in the same itinerary.

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If visiting in the summer, it is recommended to include a trip to the Jiulong Valley Rafting located opposite.

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Opening hours are from 08:30 to 17:00 all year round.

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Preferential policy supplement: The above information is for reference only; please refer to the specific information disclosed by the scenic area on the day of your visit.

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Service facilities: Parking lot – Yuyuan Tai Chi Astrology Village Parking Lot, reference price: 10 CNY per time; Address: 20 kilometers south of Wuyi County, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province; Spaces: 100.

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Must-see tips: Guided tours within the scenic area cost 30 CNY per session, covering all attractions, and last about 1.5 hours.

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