Bishan Settlement Introduction
Located near the eastern coast of Kinmen, the Bishan settlement, although not included in the Kinmen National Park, attracts visitors with its rich cultural landscape that blends different cultures. In 2002, during the themed historical architecture event "The Call of Bishan," the term "Bishan Eight Scenic Spots" emerged, which includes the famous Chen Qing-ji Western-style mansion, Chen De-xing Western-style mansion, Rui You School, the hundred-year-old Huanglian tree, the Yueli Four-Jujube residence, Zhao Ling Temple, and various ancestral halls, making it a must-visit signature of the Bishan settlement! The wall paintings completed by picture book artist Liu Rui-chi (Wawa) and local volunteers with students from Anlan Elementary School added vitality to the quaint settlement, bringing creativity from the new generation and continuing a new chapter. Rui You School, built in 1934, was established by Mr. Chen Rui-you, who struggled throughout his life to develop in Singapore. After his passing, his son commissioned Mr. Chen De-xing to build this educational building specifically for schooling, which later offered free education to children from nearby settlements. Unfortunately, it only operated for one year before being ceased due to the Japanese military's occupation of Kinmen. After being restored as a designated county historic site, it now serves as a community arts and cultural performance center. The Rui You School, modeled after Western Baroque architecture, features reliefs on its facade depicting Indian soldiers, a music corps, flowers, and cranes. Although it shows signs of time, the former splendor is still visible. The Chen Qing-ji Western-style mansion was officially completed in 1931, featuring "three concave longevity" and "two turns" with "guarding dragons on both sides," built by owner Chen Qing-ji. The front facade adopts a minimalist petal shape, with the lintel engraved with "Union Is Strength," and reliefs of Indian soldiers and boatmen, a combination of Eastern and Western styles which was rare in Kinmen at that time! After 1949, the mansion was requisitioned for military training until the military officially withdrew in the 1980s. In 2014, a film called "Paradise in Service" used this site as one of its filming locations. The Chen De-xing Western-style mansion is prominently located at the entrance of the settlement and is one of the early Western-style buildings in Kinmen. The facade is decorated with carvings of mice, goldfish, and banana plants, symbolizing the wish for many descendants. The banana plant, pronounced similar to "zhao" in Minnan dialect, implies the desire to attract wealth. Although it appears somewhat dilapidated now, the grandeur of the past is still evident in the details.
