An Architectural Gem

Taipei is more famous for the natural beauty of the mountains than city architecture. However, there are few architectural gems and one of them is the Lin Family Mansion, situated in the Banqiao district. Originally constructed in the 1850s, it became very rundown in the 1950s, but enjoyed a total restoration in the 1980s, and is now a shining example of Chinese architecture, while also offering one of the most beautiful Chinese gardens in Taipei.

Yingyin, one member of the Lin family, moved from China to Taiwan in 1778, and his son Pin Hou Lin joined him in 1782, to work in a rice factory. Over the years, he gained experience and established his own business selling rice and then, later, salt and became a very successful businessman and landowner. Pin Hou had five sons and in the 1840s, two of them built a small place in Banqiao as part of the business. Then in 1851, they decided to expand this into a mansion and, two years later, they moved in. After that, they designed the three courtyard garden so that they had more space to entertain guests. However, when the Japanese occupied Taiwan, the Lin family returned to China and the house lay empty for many years. Once Japan left Taiwan, there were many changes in society and refugees moved into the mansion. At one point there were around 300 families living in the house and grounds and it became known as Lin Hou Village. https://communitycenter.org.tw/event/1128/lin-mansion-tour/

In the seventies the movement to preserve historical buildings began to grow and the Lin family bequeathed the house to the government, along with funds to start a restoration project. By 1986, the house had been restored and was opened to the public.

As you stroll through the courtyards, looking at small bridges spanning the ponds and pavilions in the corners of the garden, you get a glimpse of a life from two centuries ago. Colorful tiles decorate the walls, including my favorite green tiles with intricate patterns, and huge banyan trees provide shade in the summertime. It is something of a tranquil oasis in the middle of the modern concrete jungle.

If you’d like to see this place for yourself, you can visit at any time or come with us on our Center tour on Thursday, September 21. Jennifer Tong will give you a more detailed explanation of the history of the house and gardens and you’ll get a guided tour inside the main house as well. Hope to see you there!