Explore the historic Lu Zhou Li Residence to discover the unyielding spirit of Taiwanese literati

The Li Residence is hidden in the alleys of downtown Lu Zhou. Walk straight to the end of the alley opposite the Open University, and you’ll see the entrance to the red-brick building. Many people at the entrance often wonder: could this small building really be a national third-grade historical site? Yet once you step through the threshold and turn a corner, you’re greeted by a vast lawn surrounding a pond and a row of orderly red buildings. Behind these classic structures loom modern high-rises, creating a striking contrast.

The Lu Zhou Li Residence and General Li Youbang Memorial is a national third-grade historical site, built in the 29th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty. It consists of a complex of three quadrangle courtyards, with the main hall featuring five bays facing forward and the rear hall having nine bays, totaling 60 rooms. After 23 years of meticulous restoration, the residence has been brought back to life. Inside, visitors will find a wealth of detailed exhibits, covering the history of the residence, anti-Japanese war materials, and manuscripts from General Li.

Wall displays recount the unyielding spirit of the Li family. General Li, Taiwan’s first native-born military officer and an anti-Japanese fighter, led resistance efforts against Japanese rule during the colonial period. However, after Taiwan’s retrocession, he was tragically wrongfully accused and killed during the White Terror era. It took half a century before his wife, Madam Yan Xiufeng, cleared his name and restored his honor. Most movingly, after decades spent vindicating her husband, Madam Yan not only let go of hatred but also applied to have the Li Residence designated as a cultural asset on behalf of the Li family, ensuring it would serve as a place for historical preservation and cultural learning. What kind of strength enabled this gentle woman to become a driving force behind amendments to the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act? This is precisely the humanistic integrity passed down through the Li family.

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