by Sandra Shih
The Lin Family Residence and Garden at Panchiao, Taipei County, is an outstanding example of traditional Chinese architecture and marks a high point of Chinese living in nineteenth-century Taiwan. With nearly a 150-year history, the Residence almost came into ruin during the late Ch’ing dynasty. However, it was recently completely rebuilt and restored with loving craftsmanship and reopened in late September of this year. More than two hundred years ago, Lin Ying-yin brought his family to Taiwan from the Fukien (福建) province to Hsin Chuang (新莊). Later, his son, Lin P’ing-hou, made a fortune in the salt industry, and since at the time the main two immigrant groups in Taiwan were often in conflict, the Lins began to build concrete houses surrounded by a fortress to protect them from possible attack. Soon after the luxurious main house with three courtyards was completed, the family began to design the famous gardens behind. The Lin Residence occupies an area of more than ten thousand square meters and can be divided into nine zones according to traditional Chinese garden design. Let me give you a brief introduction to some of the most important areas. The first is the Chi-ku study (汲古書屋), at the end of the path leading from the entrance. It is a place for collecting books, and there is a square pond nearby in case of a fire in the study. Next to it, we find the Fang-chien Studio (方鑑齋), with two pavilions built in the water and facing each other from a short distance. The family and their guests used to watch performances here, read poetry, or chat. Behind the studio, the tallest building, Lai-ch’ing Hall (來青閣), dominates the center of the courtyard. From its second story, the green mountains and nearby plains are all visible, and the hall is famous for its inscription, “Let the Hall ring with merriment.” After Lai-ch’ing Hall, the path forks into two different directions. One way passes the Hsiang-yü Studio (香玉簃) to Ting-ching Hall (定靜堂) and the Yueh-po Water Pavilion (月波水榭), while the other leads to Kuan-chia Hall (觀稼樓). The Hsiang-yü Studio serves as a vantage-point for enjoying exotic flowers. The Yueh-po Water Pavilion, whose name means moonlight ripples, is built over an artificial lake. Though it does not take up much space, the view through its windows is unlimited. Next, Ding-ching Hall, the largest building in the entire residence, with its lucky bat and butterfly decorations on the walls, served as a place for gatherings and feasts. Down the path, Kuan-chia Hall, the second largest building on the grounds, has acquired the nickname of the Little Hall. The term “kuan-chia” means observing the crops and implies thankfulness to the labor of the farmers. So if you walk upstairs you can observe the farmlands nearby. In front of Kuan-chia Hall there are a large pond and a series of artificial hills. This pond, situated in a high position, not only stores water for daily use but also provides a place for recreational boating. The Lin Family Residence beautifully illustrates the versatility of Chinese architecture-for show, recreation, habitation, banquets, or friends gathering in its different zones. It is really worth taking a trip there. If you are interested here is a map and some additional information. Don’t miss it. Address: No.9 Hsi Men Street, Panchiao City, Taipei County (台北縣板橋市西門街九號) Telephone: (02) 29653061-2 Open Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 daily Website: www.cabtc.gov.tw #Volume 7 Issue 2 a
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The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
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