Shuangyuan Fort in Shuimei Fortress Cluster

Also known as Shenxiu Hall, Shuangyuan Fort faces east and covers an area of about 6,000 square meters. Oriented north to south, the fort has a near-elliptical layout, occupying 2,600 square meters with a building area of 1,900 square meters. It features four levels of semi-elliptical, high retaining slopes, a semi-circular rear wall with high steps, sloping feng shui walls, an inner courtyard, auxiliary rooms, a main hall, a central courtyard, side rooms, and corner towers. The front of Shuangyuan Fort is square, while the back is round. The first-level wall is entirely built of stone blocks, while the second level is made of rammed earth. The main gate faces east, with an outer granite arched gateway and an inner blue-brick arched entrance. Two side gates, the south called "Pangan" and the north called "Gonggu," are made of granite slabs. Inside, the fort is a three-hall, two-wing mansion-style structure. The first hall has five bays, a total width of 18.37m, and a depth of 5.51m, featuring a "chuan dou" (a traditional Chinese structural system) framework, exposed beams, and a hard-sloped roof. The second hall is three steps higher than the first, also with five bays, a total width of 18.32m, and a depth of 12.05m, with a rear hall at the back. The side rooms have ear rooms between the front and back, a "chuan dou" framework, double rafters, and a hard-sloped roof. The third hall is another three steps higher than the second, with five bays, a width of 18.32m, and a depth of 7.5m. It's a two-story building with a "chuan dou" framework and a hard-sloped roof. Passageways connect each hall to the wing rooms, forming a complex of nine courtyards and thirteen halls, with the wing room doors opening towards the central hall. Outbuildings include a wine cellar, granary, tool shed, kitchen and firewood room, rear flower terrace, chicken coop, and pigsty. A wine cellar, 3.14m long, 1.46m wide, and 1.06m deep, is located at the west end of the south racing track. Granaries are essential to every earthen fort, and Shuimei Fort has various types: cabinet-style granaries on the racing track, granaries within the protective housing, granaries on the rear flower terrace, and mobile granaries in the halls. Tool sheds and latrines are typically located at both ends of the outer protective housing, while kitchens are usually in a suitable space within the housing, often in the side rooms behind the main hall. The rear flower terrace serves as a place for growing flowers, drying clothes, and children's play. Open rooms for storing firewood are located against the fort walls. Study halls and libraries are conventionally placed in suitable locations within the side rooms, rear courtyard, or rear flower terrace.