Banyan Garden Introduction
The century-old banyan trees gather on the northern bank of Tahu, giving rise to the imagery of the "Banyan Garden." Most of the banyan trees in the park have been rooted here for several decades, with aerial roots growing robustly beyond a century. Their branches and leaves twist and turn in the sky, forming large green umbrellas that provide a great place for people to cool off. Meeting here in the afternoon to play chess and drink tea is one of the most authentic local scenes in Kinmen. Wei Lou "Wei Lou" is a traditional Minnan house located within the Banyan Garden, featuring the most common layout in Kinmen called "one courtyard and four wings." The house is situated in "Xi Hong," which was historically renowned for its saying "fewer than one hundred inhabitants, thirty-six officials," and it is the former residence of Hong Shou, an assistant instructor at the Ming Dynasty Imperial Academy. Hong Shou was highly knowledgeable and served as a professor at the state and county schools. Many of his students succeeded in the imperial examinations, thus earning him the title of "Master."
