Wang-an Huazhai (Zhongsha Ancient House) Introduction
Wang'an Huazhai, located in Zhongshe Village, Wang'an Township, Penghu, gets its name due to the terrain, which is surrounded by hills, resembling petals surrounding the flower center. The ancestors cultivated the land and built houses near the flower center (Sanziwei), hence the name "Huazhai." It was once a garden ancient house with over a hundred Minnan-style buildings, reflecting the prosperity of the past. The original name of the Zhongshe ancient house was "Huazhai," and in the center of Huazhai, there is a small hill known as "Huaxin," meaning the center of Huazhai. The Huazhai settlement is one of the most well-preserved traditional settlements in the Penghu area. Later, when Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo inspected Huazhai, he deemed it to be in the center of Zhongshe Village and thus renamed it "Zhongshe" ancient house. The entire village of Zhongshe consists of ancient houses with a long history, displaying the unique settlement pattern of "Yike Yin," with the most famous being the Zeng Family ancient house, which has "Zeng" characters on its windows. This ancient house settlement is exceptionally well-preserved, holding historical and cultural value. In 2003, with the agreement of all family members of the Zeng family, renovations were carried out according to the original structure, and a covenant was established to ensure that future descendants maintain the complete appearance during repairs. The red brick windows in front prominently display the surname of the building’s owner. The front gate adopts the "Dao Tun Yin" style, with a flat brick area usually used for drying fish or peanuts. The bird footsteps on the facade are adorned with elegant Japanese-style 5x5 decorative tiles, and the walls are made of basalt, unlike most ancient houses in Penghu which are built with coral stone. The front windows have a scholarly design resembling scrolls. This location has been listed as one of the world's one hundred sites at risk of extinction and is officially registered as a "Historical Building Preservation Area" by the Council for Cultural Affairs. 【Recommended duration of stay】 1 hour.
The front gate adopts the "upside-down swallow song" pattern, and the window shaped like a scroll resembles Microsoft's registered trademark.
