Ouzhu Settlement Introduction
As one of the traditional settlements in Kinmen, the Oucuo settlement has preserved a group of Minnan traditional buildings, yet it presents a more rustic appearance. Divided largely by a "kuchih" (storage pool), the settlement is split into upper and lower sections. The upper section mainly features ancestral halls and groups of large houses, while the lower section is dominated by ancient houses with a single courtyard and four columns, showcasing the characteristics of a "comb-style layout" to achieve temperature regulation. (Kinmen National Park, Map by) Visitors to the Oucuo settlement mostly come to experience the daily life of Kinmen's common people. Although there are not many tourist attractions here besides the Ouyang Family Temple and Shuntian Store, the scenery authentically reflects the most practical aspects of life. For instance, the flat-roofed houses can be seen throughout the Oucuo settlement, as the gentle roofs are the most suitable for drying fish products, which is vital for a settlement relying on the sea. Although fishing is no longer the main economic source of Oucuo, the memories remain vividly imprinted in the scenery, preserving a connection to the past.
