Shuitou Settlement Introduction
Shuitou, also known as Jinsui, is located in the southwestern corner of Jincheng Township. It is a multi-surname settlement primarily dominated by the Huang family. Due to its proximity to the Shuitou Wharf, it has historically been a transportation hub between Kinmen and Xiamen. Shuitou was once a wealthy settlement, preserving the largest number of exquisite Minnanese buildings and Western-style houses on the island. Notable buildings such as Deyue Tower, Jinsui Elementary School, and the Overseas Chinese Cultural Exhibition Hall are unique to Kinmen. A popular saying in Kinmen goes, "With Shuitou comes wealth, without Shuitou comes hardship," meaning that while one may be as wealthy as the people of Shuitou, attaining a lavish house like those in Shuitou is not easy, reflecting the admiration Kinmen people have for the architectural beauty of the Shuitou settlement. In addition to livelihood through agriculture and fishing, the villagers of Shuitou also engaged in maritime trade, resulting in a blend of traditional Minnanese houses and foreign-style buildings influenced by overseas cultures. Traditional Minnanese settlements include the Huang Family Ancestral Hall built during the Qianlong period, Huang Ji Ancient House, and the "Eighteen Beams" of Dingjie (nine buildings with two courtyards). After the mid-Qing Dynasty, a large number of remittances from Kinmen overseas Chinese were used to construct schools (Jinsui School), watchtowers (Deyue Tower), and other meticulously designed Western-style buildings; Shuitou appears as an exhibition of historical architecture and is also the most well-preserved traditional large settlement in Kinmen. More about Jinsui Elementary School >> More about Deyue Tower >> More about Overseas Chinese Cultural Exhibition Hall >>
