Wang'an Flower House (Zhongshe Ancient House) Introduction
Wang'an Huazhai, located in Zhongsha Village, Wang'an Township, Penghu, is an ancient house known as "Huazhai." The name "Huazhai" comes from the surrounding terrain, which is encircled by hills, resembling petals surrounding a flower's heart. The ancestors built houses near the flower's heart (mountain peak), hence the name "Huazhai." Once, there were more than a hundred Min Nan-style houses in this garden-like ancient complex, indicating the area's past prosperity. The original name of Zhongsha Ancient House was "Huazhai," and at its center stands a small hill, referred to as "flower heart" by the residents, signifying the center of Huazhai. The Huazhai settlement is one of the more well-preserved traditional settlements in the Penghu area. Later, when Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo visited Huazhai, he deemed it to be centrally located in Zhongsha Village and renamed it "Zhongsha Ancient House." The entire village of Zhongsha is characterized by its ancient houses, presenting a unique settlement form of three-part courtyards called "Yi Ke Yin." The most famous ancient house here is the Zeng Family Ancient House, noted for its windows adorned with the character 'Zeng.' This ancient settlement has been well-preserved and holds significant historical and cultural value. In 2003, renovations were undertaken with the agreement of all family members of the Zeng family, adhering to the original architectural structure and drawing up a contract to ensure that future descendants maintain its complete appearance. The red brick window with the character 'Zeng' clearly expresses the surname of the building's owner. The front gate adopts a "reverse swallow" style and is paved with flat bricks, usually used for drying fish or peanuts. The decorative bird foot on the façade features elegant 5x5 Japanese tiles, while the wall's stone is distinct from the majority of Penghu's ancient houses, which are constructed with soft stones; the Zeng Family Ancient House is built with basalt. The windows on the front are designed in a scroll-like shape, giving it a scholarly atmosphere. It has been listed as one of the top 100 endangered spots in the world and is officially registered as a "Historic House Preservation Area" by the National Cultural Heritage Administration. 【Recommended stay time】 1 hour
The front gate adopts the "Inverted Swallow Song" pattern, while the window, shaped like a scroll, resembles Microsoft's registered trademark.
