Lin Heng-tao recalls that deep within a beautiful mountain canyon of Pinghsi's Chingtungkeng, Yen built a Japanese style guest house out of cypress wood. The Japanese called itthe "Cypress Palace." Guests staying the night would gaze out at the lanterns of the fishing boats.
林衡道回憶，常年顏家在平溪菁桐坑上的深山秀谷中用檜木蓋了一間日本式的招待所，日本人稱之為檜木御殿，在那裡住夜，晚上看海上漁火，真是人生一大享受。