Chen Wanqi Old House Introduction
Xizhi Old Street, primarily located along Zhongzheng Road and Qidong Road, is winding and sprawls around the train station. Since the Qing Dynasty, this area has been the most bustling part of Xizhi. Although times have changed, stepping into the old street feels like disconnecting from the chaos of the outside world, allowing the weathered red bricks and traces of moss to tell tales of the past. Adjacent to the Xizhi interchange stands an old Baroque-style building. This two-story structure, built in the 15th year of the Taisho era (1926), has a history of over 90 years. The builder, Chen Waneq, started with a Chinese medicine business and was one of the wealthy merchants in Xizhi at the time. The construction took many years to complete, using materials sourced from mainland China and designed and built by master craftsmen from Quanzhou. It exhibits typical Baroque mixed with postmodern architecture, featuring a gable wall at the front, known as "mountain wall," which is a common characteristic of postmodernism. Today, it is one of the few well-preserved old houses on Xizhi Old Street. The ancient charm of this old house contrasts with the nearby high-rise buildings, showcasing a tapestry of different eras.
