Erkan Chen's Ancient House Introduction
In Erkan, every house is an ancient residence of the Chen family. This village is uniquely inhabited by people with the surname Chen, making it a rare single-surname village in Penghu. The Erkan settlement preservation area features numerous traditional buildings, with houses constructed of stone bricks and red tiles. Instead of asphalt roads, you’ll find traditional stone paths. At the center of this area is the Chen family ancient residence, located at No. 6, Erkan Village, Xiyu Township. This house was built by the brothers Chen Ling and Chen Bang, who were the owners of the Yuan Yi Pharmacy, thus it is referred to as the Chen Ling Bang Memorial Hall. The settlement dates back to the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty when Chen Yan Yi from Jinmen settled here. Since the founding ancestor Chen Ting Yi established residence here over three hundred years ago, it has been passed down through nine generations. Due to Chen Ting Yi’s minimal contact with the outside world, Erkan Village evolved into a closed settlement, developing as a single-surname community. Built in low-lying areas to withstand the strong northeast monsoon winds in winter, the house follows the traditional Fujian five-section layout. The entrance hall, living room, and rear hall are interconnected by courtyards, forming an intricate indoor-outdoor flow in a traditional courtyard arrangement. The alley in front of the main hall has small archways connecting to neighbors, providing a defensive escape route. The Chen Ling Bang Memorial Hall is constructed with local coral stone and basalt, supporting the roof structure, and features traditional decorations like paintings, pottery, colored tiles, and clay sculptures, showcasing the beauty of local craftsmanship. It was designated as a third-class historical site on April 25, 1988. Besides the Min Nan residential structure, the ancient residence also incorporates numerous elements from Southeast Asian Western styles. Currently, the entire residence is a nationally designated third-class historical site, with descendants still living there. Visitors can purchase tickets to enter and appreciate the complete architectural style and artifacts, while imagining life in that era. 【Recommended visit duration】 1 hour.
Chen Ling-Bang Memorial Hall Entrance
Chen Family Ancestral House
