Zhushan Settlement Introduction
Zhushan is located in the southwestern part of Kinmen Island, at the starting point of the Circle Island West Road. This place is a settlement of the Xue clan, whose ancestors settled here from Xueling in Xiamen during the Yuan Dynasty, making its history span over 650 years. The clear and beautiful colors are the first impression upon entering the Zhushan settlement, which is surrounded by highlands and features a large pond, forming a feng shui auspicious site known as "Four Waters Returning to the Pond." The entire settlement expands from the ancestral hall at the center, built around the large pond, creating a beautiful scene with the ancient red-brown brick walls reflecting the clear green waters. Walking up to Zhushan Park for a distant view or quietly appreciating the exquisite brick carvings and Tran pottery on the old houses are experiences not to be missed in the Zhushan settlement. (Kinmen National Park Mapping) Zhushan Park, known as Jianshan Mountain to the locals, is actually a small granite hill. Following the steps up to the pavilion at the top of the park, one can take a break and slowly enjoy the leisurely tranquility of the surroundings in the cool weather, easing the mind. Don't forget to leave with beautiful photos overlooking the Zhushan settlement from the summit! There are two Xue clan ancestral halls in Zhushan. The larger ancestral hall on the right is dedicated to worshiping the founding ancestors and is shared by the entire Xue clan of the village, while the smaller branch ancestral hall on the left is part of its clan branches. The larger ancestral hall is exquisitely decorated, while the smaller one has a simpler design. Both are places for ancestor worship and for praying that future generations can stand tall and excel. The Xue Yongnan Brothers' Western-style House is one of the "Hometown Settlements of Kinmen." After the late Qing Dynasty, many villagers went to Luzon (the Philippines) to make a living, working from laborers to businessmen and eventually becoming wealthy. The Xue Yongnan brothers were among them, and after achieving success, they built the first Western-style house in their hometown of Zhushan, which serves both as a residence and for defense, currently managed by a bed-and-breakfast operator. The Xue Fangjian Western-style House (known as the "Mechanism House") was built in 1931 as a stilt house. At that time, coastal pirates were a threat to Kinmen, making the overseas Chinese buildings their targets. To strengthen defenses, many Western-style houses were built on high ground with additional defensive structures. The Xue Fangjian Western-style House and Xue Yongnan Brothers' Western-style House, along with Zhuoyan on the east side of the settlement, form a strong defensive triangle protecting the Zhushan settlement. During the Japanese occupation, it was also garrisoned by Japanese soldiers, hence the name "Mechanism House."
