Banyan Garden Introduction
The century-old banyan trees gather on the north shore of Lake Tai, giving rise to the imagery of "Banyan Garden." Most of the banyan trees in the park have taken root here for decades, their aerial roots growing impressively thick and their branches and leaves winding in the sky, forming large green umbrellas that provide a great place for people to escape the heat. Meeting here in the afternoon to play chess and drink tea is the most authentic living scenery of Kinmen. Wei Lu "Wei Lu" is a traditional Minnan-style house located within the Banyan Garden, featuring the most common layout in Kinmen known as "one courtyard and four celestial heads." The location of this ancient house was once famous for the saying "with fewer than a hundred residents, it produced thirty-six court officials," referring to "Xi Hong," the former residence of Hong Shou, an associate professor of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Academy. Hong Shou was very knowledgeable and served as a professor in local and county studies. Many of his students achieved success in the civil service examinations, earning him the respectful title of "Master."
