Kuei Hsing Pavilion Introduction
The Kuige Pavilion, commonly known as the "Kuixing Tower" in Kinmen, is also referred to as Kuilou or Bagua Tower. It is a place for worshiping Kuixing, one of the Five Literary Stars in Chinese culture. Due to Kinmen's previous administrative status, traditional Confucian temples could not be built. To provide a place for local students to pray for good fortune before participating in the imperial examinations, Lin Feizhang, who had achieved the title of "Gongsheng," initiated the construction with a personal donation of one thousand taels of silver. The pavilion was built in the 16th year of the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty (1836) on the hillside of Houpu (next to the current Chen Shiyin Western-style building), dedicated to Kuixing. This exquisite and ancient structure has over 180 years of history, having undergone restoration twice in the 44th and 52nd years of the Republic of China, but it retains its original appearance and is designated as a county-level historic site. The Kuige Pavilion is a two-story, three-eave hexagonal structure, showcasing a simple and clear wooden construction technique that reflects the modesty of this educational building. Each year during the examination season, a series of worship activities are held, praying for students to achieve their aspirations and succeed in the examinations.
