The Ancient Villages of Hengchun

The Ancient Villages of Hengchun

As early as the Qing Dynasty, the Hengchun Peninsula saw the emergence of numerous settlements along its coastal areas — such as present-day Hengchun and Checheng — and in regions like Manzhou, driven by the development of agriculture and fisheries. Owing to the area’s limited transportation and its distinctive geography and climate, the village homes here differ significantly from the typical Min-style buildings seen around Taiwan. Instead, due to interactions related to fishing, they bear similarities to the traditional architecture of Penghu. Coupled with the unique local lifestyle and occasional influences from the Japanese colonial era’s European-inspired styles, these villages have developed a distinctive character of their own within Taiwan.

The architecture on the peninsula is deeply shaped by daily functional needs. The basic layout typically centers around a “god’s room,” where ancestral tablets are enshrined, which then extends to the left and right to form the main structure — known as a “one-dragon” style house. These one-dragon style homes are lined up along the main streets, developing in a strip-like formation, which is a common sight in the coastal villages of Hengchun and Checheng. Later, as families grew, additional side wings called “protective dragons” were added, forming either a “capstan handle” layout or a classic three-section courtyard. Regardless of the structure, these residences usually feature a spacious front courtyard. This area serves not only as a workspace for farming and fishing but also as an important space for children to play, families to rest, and neighbors to interact.

As the villages expanded, new houses were built in layers behind the main streets, interconnected by lanes and enclosing public spaces of various sizes. These communal areas, shielded from strong winds and situated close to residences, became places for casual chats and bonding. For visiting tourists, these lanes also offer the best paths to explore the charm of the ancient villages. In areas like Wanlitong in Hengchun, this traditional layout remains well-preserved. Strolling through the alleys, visitors are instantly sheltered from the peninsula’s fierce winds and blazing sun, offering a uniquely tranquil experience.

Each winter and autumn, the Hengchun Peninsula is battered by powerful downslope winds, leading to numerous windproof features in the architecture — key characteristics of Hengchun’s traditional houses. For instance, the fronts of houses often have both inner and outer walls, serving the dual purpose of wind blocking and heat insulation. To prevent roofs from being blown away, the eaves here are short and narrow, often topped with a low parapet wall called a “parapet wall for daughters.” The “rabbit ear” design is used to hang wooden boards, providing an extra layer of protection for doors and windows. Additionally, the roofs and walls are built thick and sturdy for wind resistance. Though lacking the intricate ornamentation of more ornate styles, these houses have a simple, unpretentious charm of their own.

Currently, the most well-preserved ancient villages on the Hengchun Peninsula can be found in Wanlitong and Daguang in Hengchun Town. Among the highlights are the Han Residence in Wanlitong, the Wu Residence in Daguang, the Chen Residence in Baisha, as well as the Qinghe Hall in SheLiao and the Xu Residence in Houwan in Checheng Township, and the You Residence in Manzhou Township — all highly recommended for exploration.

Transportation Guide

1. Take a Kaohsiung Bus from Hengchun bound for Xiashuijue, and get off at SheLiao or Houwan to visit the Qinghe Hall and the Xu Residence respectively.

2. Take a Kaohsiung Bus from Hengchun heading to Wanlitong, which stops in both Wanlitong and Baisha, as well as Daguang. Alternatively, buses heading to Hejie and Dingbaisha can also get you to Baisha and Daguang.

3. Take a Kaohsiung Bus from Hengchun to locations such as Changle, Gangzi, Niren Road, and Gaoshi, and get off at Manzhou to reach the You Residence there.