Zhu Shan Settlement Introduction
Zhushan is located in the southwestern part of Kinmen Island, at the starting point of the Island Circular West Road. This area is a single-surname settlement of the Xue clan, whose ancestors settled here from Xueling, Xiamen during the Yuan Dynasty, and it has a history of 650 years. The first impression upon entering the Zhushan settlement is the beautiful colors; the settlement is surrounded by high ground, with a large pond in the center, creating a favorable feng shui site known as "four waters returning to the pond." The entire settlement expands from the ancestral hall, built around the large pond, with the ancient red-brick walls reflecting the clear green water of the pond, creating a beautiful scene. Walking up to Zhushan Park for a panoramic view, or quietly admiring the exquisite brick carvings and Tran pottery on the old houses, are highlights not to be missed in the Zhushan settlement. Zhushan Park, known to the local population as Jianshan, is actually a small granite hill. Climbing the steps to the pavilion at the top of the park allows you to take a break while enjoying the tranquil surroundings in the cool weather, which eases the mind. Don’t forget to take a lovely photo overlooking the Zhushan settlement from the summit! The Xue Clan Ancestral Hall in Zhushan consists of two ancestral halls; the larger one on the right is dedicated to the founding ancestral worship of the entire village's Xue clan. The smaller one on the left is part of its branches. The larger hall is exquisitely decorated, while the smaller hall is simpler in structure; both serve as places for ancestral worship and rituals aimed at ensuring that future generations can excel and stand tall. The Xue Yongnan Brothers Western-style House is one of the "overseas Chinese settlements" in Zhushan. After the late Qing Dynasty, many villagers sought livelihoods in Luzon (the Philippines), transitioning from working jobs to business and eventually achieving wealth. The Xue Yongnan brothers were among them; after their successes, they built the first Western-style house in their hometown of Zhushan, which serves not only as a residence but also has defensive features, and is now operated by a homestay business. The Xue Fangjian Western-style House, built in 1931, is a stilted house designed to counter coastal piracy threats in Kinmen at the time, making overseas Chinese constructions prime targets. To enhance defense, many Western-style houses were built on high ground and incorporated defensive facilities. The Xue Fangjian Western-style House, along with the Xue Yongnan Brothers' house and the Zhuoyan on the eastern side of the settlement, form a "iron triangle" that protects the Zhushan settlement. It was also garrisoned by Japanese troops during the colonial period, leading to its nickname "the Mechanism Building."
