The family mansion of Lin Ying-yin boasts wood and stone carvings, traditional architectural motifs representing luck and fortune and a beautiful traditional garden. You can tour the garden area – which includes ponds, pavilions and numerous buildings – on your own, but to visit the residence (三落大厝, Sān Luò Dà Cuò) you need to sign up for a tour (also free) at the entrance.
In 1778, Lin Ying-yin migrated to Taiwan from Fujian province and his family amassed a great fortune trading rice and salt. Eventually the family settled in what is now Banqiao City and in the mid-19th century built their mansion and expansive gardens in the mid-19th century. Today both are the largest remaining examples from that period left in Taiwan. Beautiful carvings in stone and wood abound, as well as traditional architectural motifs: look out in particular for the varied windows in the shape of butterflies, bats, coins, peaches and fans. The garden is designed in the southern Chinese style with abundant viewpoints created in the limited space by narrow maze-like walkways.
Tour times are at 10am, 11am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. To get here take Fuzhong MRT Exit 3 and follow the English signs (about a 10-minute/700m walk).
