A Mysterious Spot Hidden Behind an Ancient Wall: The Water-Spouting Turtle Guardian Silently Watches Over Toucheng Old Street

▲ Yuánhéchéng Merchant House features a triple-arch design.

Photos and text by 95 Evil Wife

In front of the Toucheng Railway Station in Yilan, every traveler can find their own story. Food lovers can explore famous local snacks and noodle shops; those wanting to enjoy a leisurely afternoon can visit numerous old-house cafés; and history enthusiasts can stroll along Heping Old Street.

Heping Old Street is home to historical buildings such as the 13-Hang Kang Family Ancestral House and the residence of Lu Zuangxiang, yet it retains little commercialization and has not yet been overtaken by "old street" staples like sausage stalls or grilled squid. Heading south, at the end of the road, there areChen ChunjiandYuánhéchéng— two merchant houses built during the Japanese colonial period, standing side by side.

▲ Layer upon layer of arcs is one of the distinctive features of the old structures Yuánhéchéng and Chen Chunji.

Yuánhéchéng Merchant House showcases a triple-arch colonnade with cylindrical columns, while Chen Chunji uses square pillars. The weathered walls of both buildings record the passage of time. The interplay of arcs and light creates a dimly lit passage that feels like stepping into a time-frozen tunnel, calming the heart and steps of every traveler.

The charm of these old buildings goes far beyond their facades. Travelers are advised to walk through the small lane beside Fude Shrine, turn right at the intersection, and you’ll arrive at the back of Chen Chunji Merchant House. Here, on the wall, there are two water spouts shaped like turtles — easy to miss if you’re not paying attention — making it one of the most mysterious spots on Heping Old Street.

▲ The turtle-shaped water spouts on the back wall of Chen Chunji Merchant House.

The turtle has long been a legendary creature in Chinese culture, with the body of a fish and the head of a dragon, surrounded by many myths. One tale says the turtle is a sea beast carrying five islands on its back, while another recounts how a carp that jumped over the Dragon Gate turned into a dragon but, having stolen a pearl, ended up with only a dragon head atop a fish body — thus forming the turtle. It’s said turtles have a penchant for swallowing fire and bringing rain, so ancient wooden buildings were often adorned with turtle ornaments in hopes of avoiding fire disasters and ensuring household safety.

▲ The intricate craftsmanship of the turtle water spouts gives a glimpse of the former prosperity of the merchant house.

The two turtles on the wall of Chen Chunji are exquisitely crafted, with clear details of their whiskers, fins, and scales. With their wide mouths open silently guarding the shop, even a single water outlet being so detailed suggests the former bustling business of the merchant house.

Today, the turtles and old buildings may no longer be what they once were after years of wind and rain, but their delicate craftsmanship and ingenuity can still be seen. Imagining the liveliness of Toucheng town and the thriving business of the shops through these small details is, perhaps, one of the joys of exploring old streets.

Toucheng Heping Old Street
Address: Heping Street, Toucheng Township, Yilan County
Points of interest: Chen Chunji Merchant House, Yuánhéchéng Merchant House, Nanmen Fude Shrine, Toucheng Cultural Museum, Qìngyuán Temple, Wu Zhaoyang Residence, Lu Zuangxiang Residence, 13-Hang Kang Family Ancestral House

For more Toucheng travel information, please contact
Dongsen Ocean Hot Spring Hotel
Address: No. 36, Section 4, Binhai Road, Toucheng Township, Yilan County
Phone: 03 978 0782

%The site was constructed by sacrificing? The coal-burning kiln was praised as a 'masterpiece of art.'