Lin Benyuan Ancestral House and Garden

　　Lin Benyuan Ancestral House and Garden is located in Banqiao District, New Taipei City, Taiwan. It was built by the Lin Benyuan family and is currently the most complete surviving garden architecture in Taiwan. The residence dates back to as early as 1847, when it served as a rental office for the Lin Benyuan family who had moved north to collect land rents. Later, it was expanded by two brothers, Lin Guohua and Lin Guofang, becoming the family’s residence. In 1977, the Lin Benyuan family donated the garden portion to what was then the Taipei County Government, and it was opened to the public in 1982. Currently, the protection and restoration of the estate are jointly managed by the Council for Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Tourism Bureau, the Taiwan Provincial Government, and the New Taipei City Government.

　　The total area of Lin Benyuan Ancestral House and Garden is approximately 6,054 pyeong, and it can be divided into two parts: the “garden” and the “residence.” The garden, also known as the Banqiao Lin Family Garden, refers to the landscaped part outside the living quarters, which includes various buildings and artificial landscapes such as Laiqing Pavilion, Yuebo Waterside Pavilion, and Dingjing Hall. The residence refers to where the Lin Benyuan family lived—the Three-Courtyard Mansion located on the western side of the garden. Currently, the Three-Courtyard Mansion still belongs to the Lin Clan Ancestral Worship Association and requires a guided tour led by a special staff member.

　　The layout within Lin Benyuan Ancestral House and Garden is rigorous, with harmonious proportions. The interior decoration is extremely luxurious and exquisitely handcrafted, making it one of the finest examples of architecture in Taiwan at that time. The pavilions, terraces, towers, and chambers in the garden are delicate and elegant, with surrounding corridors meandering through the serene and winding paths, complemented by rockeries and ponds—offering picturesque scenery throughout. Since ancient times, it has enjoyed the reputation of being “the foremost garden in Taipei.”

　　The Lin's Family Manshion and Garden Must-visit reason: Currently the most complete surviving garden architecture in Taiwan