Beishan Old Western-style House Introduction
Beishan Old Western-style House was built jointly by the three brothers, Li Jinyu, Li Yanya, and Li Tianzhu, from Guningtou. They achieved success in the coconut trade 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 building, with skilled craftsmen and workers from Nan'an in Mainland China and local artisans such as Li Yantou working together. Due to its elevated position, the Western-style house offers a good view of every corner of the village, giving it significant strategic value. During the Battle of Guningtou, it was occupied by the communist forces and served as a command post, enduring intense gunfire and shelling, which undoubtedly serves as historical evidence of Kinmen being on the front lines of war. Today, the dilapidated roof and numerous bullet holes are still visible, yet the building retains its uniqueness. The interior has been renovated into a backpacker’s hostel, providing travelers with a comfortable resting environment, while the exterior still bears the scars of war, making one feel as if the sound of cannon fire could still be heard passing by.
