Dehsiung Village Old House Introduction
Chiayi County's traditional industries have historically been dominated by agriculture, making the traditional Minnan-style Sanheyuan architecture, scattered throughout the region, widely visible. Among these, the checkerboard-style Sanheyuan settlement in the De Xing neighborhood of Puzi City is the most distinctive. De Xing, also known as Xinji Village, features a settlement of Sanheyuan built predominantly facing south. These traditional houses with red brick tiles were initially overlooked in the passage of time, especially as surrounding high-rises sprang up with the changing era, creating a striking contrast with the checkerboard-style Sanheyuan settlement. However, the older residents of the De Xing community had a bright idea to revitalize their neighborhood by planting flowers and greenery, enhancing the streetscape. Therefore, De Xing can be considered the earliest community in Chiayi County to integrate alleyway planning and improvement projects. The entire village cooperated seamlessly—older and younger residents alike worked diligently to preserve and beautify the three east-west and four north-south alleys, along with 112 traditional five-bay Sanheyuan. Today, the checkerboard-style Sanheyuan settlement has transformed into the treasured gem of the community, rich in cultural atmosphere, attracting countless tourists, architecture students and teachers, as well as community groups and cultural historians annually. In 2004, it was honored by the Ministry of the Interior with an Excellent Community Award in the community development achievement evaluation, making it a significant pride for all residents of De Xing.
