Shuitou Settlement Introduction
Shuitou, also known as Jinsui, is located in the southwest corner of Jincheng Township. It is a multi-surname settlement primarily inhabited by the Huang family. Due to its proximity to Shuitou Wharf, it was an important transportation hub between Kinmen and Xiamen in the past. Shuitou used to be a wealthy settlement, preserving the most and finest Min-style architecture along with foreign-style buildings on the island. Notable structures include Deyue Tower, Jinsui Elementary School, and the Overseas Chinese Cultural Exhibition Hall, each with its unique characteristics representing Kinmen. A local saying goes, "Those with a water head are rich; those without a water head have houses." This means that while one might be as affluent as the villagers of Shuitou, owning a splendid house like those in Shuitou is not easy, reflecting the esteem Kinmen people have for the architecture in Shuitou. In the past, villagers engaged in agriculture and fishing for livelihood but also participated in shipping trade, resulting in a mix of traditional Minnan houses and foreign-style buildings influenced by overseas cultures. Traditional Minnan structures include the Huang Family Ancestral Hall built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, Huang Ji Ancient House, and the "Eighteen Beam" at Dingjie (a large house with nine sections). After the mid-Qing period, a significant number of Kinmen expatriates remitted money back home to build schools (Jinsui School) and ornate buildings like gun towers (Deyue Tower); thus, Shuitou seems like a venue for historical architecture and is the best-preserved large traditional settlement in Kinmen. More about Jinsui Elementary School >> More about Deyue Tower >> More about the Overseas Chinese Cultural Exhibition Hall >>
