Dexing Village Old House Introduction
Chiayi County's traditional industries have historically been centered on agriculture, making the traditional Southern Fujian-style Sanheyuan (three-section courtyard homes) scattered throughout the region a common sight, with the checkerboard-style Sanheyuan settlement in the De Xing neighborhood of Puzi City being the most distinctive. De Xing neighborhood, also known as Xin Ji Zhuang, features a Sanheyuan settlement where all buildings face south. These traditional houses, with their red brick tiles, were initially overlooked amidst the passage of time. As modern high-rises began to rise around them, the checkerboard-style Sanheyuan settlement became particularly striking and seemingly out of place. Eventually, the older residents of the De Xing community decided to revitalize the alleys by planting flowers and greenery to beautify the area. Therefore, De Xing can be considered one of the earliest communities in Chiayi County to integrate alleyway planning and renovation projects, with residents of all ages working collaboratively to preserve and enhance the three east-west and four north-south alleys, as well as 112 traditional five-entry Sanheyuan. To this day, the original checkerboard-style Sanheyuan settlement has transformed into a treasured part of the community, rich in cultural atmosphere, attracting countless tourists, architecture students, civil organizations, and cultural historians annually. In 2004, it was awarded the Excellent Community recognition by the Ministry of the Interior for its community development efforts, which is a great source of pride for the residents of De Xing.
