Dongli Family Tradition - Century-old House Introduction
Yuanli Township was originally the habitat of the Dawu (also known as the Pingpu) people. Before the Qing Dynasty, there were four communities of Dawu people known as "Fangli," "Yuanli," "Maoyu," and "Ribei." The area around Zhonggouwei (the western end of the Zhonggou area) features flat and expansive terrain. The "Zheng Family Settlement" in Zhonggou was built under the guidance of their ancestors. The entire architectural layout of the "Zheng Family Settlement" faces south, and from a distance to the south, one can see the northern (rear) mountain and the southern (front) stream. To the right, there is the "Old Zheng Family House," in the center is the "Dongli Family Compound," and to the left is the "Zheng Residence," a Japanese-style building. The entire settlement forms a vast and impressive complex. The "Dongli Family Compound" is a traditional three-sided courtyard building, which is one of the few well-preserved red brick and Tuao (glazed pottery) structures in Taiwan. Under the government's guidance for renovation and protection, it showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of original architectural styles based on Chinese traditional construction methods. The century-old Dragon Cypress tree in the courtyard, along with the complete connection of the main three-sided courtyard structure and the four side wings, makes it a distinctive accommodation area. This has attracted various television stations to frequently film in the ancient houses, making it one of the important tourist attractions in Yuanli Township.
