Yuyuan Tai Chi Astrology Village, located about 20 kilometers away from Wuyi County, is the origin of the Yu clan. It is said that this area was once plagued by disasters, but after Liu Bowen of the Ming Dynasty redesigned the layout according to the celestial constellations, building structures such as the Big Dipper-shaped Qi Xing Pond and Qi Xing Well, disasters ceased to occur. Today, Yuyuan remains largely undeveloped for tourism, retaining its original and rustic charm with few visitors, often frequented by art students sketching the scenery. The village’s Sheng Yuan Hall, Yu’s Ancestral Hall, and the carvings on some old residential buildings are exquisite and worth visiting. The village is not large, making it perfect for walking tours.
Upon entering the scenic area, one first passes through an ancient forest with many trees over six hundred years old. Beside the forest, an S-shaped stream flows gently, and from a high vantage point, the open space here and the rice fields on the opposite bank form a massive Tai Chi diagram, with the fish eyes being a sunken circular pit and a towering circular grove. At the entrance of the village stands the Bowen Thatched Cottage, built in memory of Liu Bowen, where one can view exhibitions about his life, handwriting, and statues. Continuing into the village, passing through the Xuanwu Gate signifies true entry. Along the way, there is a sunflower garden, which is picturesque when the flowers are in bloom. First, one arrives at Yu’s Ancestral Hall, featuring an ornate 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 its layout. Behind Yu’s Ancestral Hall is Li’s Ancestral Hall, which is much smaller and has been converted into a folk artifacts exhibition, worth a casual look. Crossing the bridge along the stream and turning right, one soon reaches Sheng Yuan Hall. This ancient residential building, not only large in scale, but also notable for its carvings. Inside the hall, 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 astonishing – the nine carps on the beam change colors to yellow, red, and black with the weather, a transformation unseen by visitors but appreciated for the craftsman’s ingenuity. On the outskirts of the village, the Dongzhu Temple has a history of over 700 years, with a plaque from the Daoguang period next to an ancient camphor tree, known for its effective prayers. If someone persuades you to burn incense and donate, politely decline if not intended. In recent years, some newly built houses have made the village feel somewhat cluttered. However, the eastern part of the village concentrates a large number of distinctive residential buildings, suitable for photography with their carvings and appearance. Take some time to stroll and explore. Among them, Shang Wanchun Hall and Jing Shen Building are particularly exquisite in wood and brick carvings. 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. From the western side of the village, crossing the road next to the stream and climbing the stone steps, one can overlook the entire village, with the previously mentioned fields forming a Tai Chi pattern visible below.The homestays in Yuyuan Tai Chi Astrology Village that provide food and accommodation are relatively simple, and tourists generally do not choose to stay or dine here. Within a few kilometers around the village, attractions such as Qingfeng Stockade and Liu Xiu Ridge are famous Danxia landscapes in Wuyi, which can be included in the same itinerary. If visiting in the summer, the Jiulong Valley Rafting opposite is recommended to be included in the tour. Opening hours are from 08:30 to 17:00 all year round. Supplementary explanation of preferential policies: The information above is for reference only, please refer to the specific information disclosed by the scenic area on the day of visit. Service facilities: Parking lot – Yuyuan Tai Chi Astrology Village Parking Lot, reference price: ¥10 per time, address: 20 kilometers south of Wuyi County, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, capacity: 100 spots. Essential tips: Guided tours within the scenic area cost 30 yuan per session, covering all attractions, and last about 1.5 hours.
