Beishan Old Western-style House Introduction
Beishan Old Western-style House was jointly built by three brothers from Guningtou, Li Jinyu, Li Yanya, and Li Tianzhu. The three of them achieved success in coconut trading in Manila, Philippines, and returned to their hometown in Beishan in 1928 to construct a large house for their mother. In 1937, they built a two-story Western-style house with the help of craftsmen from Nan'an in mainland China and local artisans including Li Yantou from Guningtou. Due to its elevated location, the house offers a great view and can overlook all corners of the village, making it strategically valuable. During the Battle of Guningtou, it was occupied by the Communist forces and became a command post, enduring fierce gunfire and bombardment, undoubtedly serving as a historical testament to Kinmen being a war front. Today, the roof shows signs of collapse and there are numerous bullet holes, yet the uniqueness of the house remains intact. The interior has been converted into a backpackers' hostel, providing a comfortable resting environment for travelers, while the exterior still bears the scars of war, allowing visitors to almost hear the sounds of artillery echoing past.
