Fighting to preserve a family home of six decades, Lukang’s first homestay exudes the scent of cypress wood

▲ A 60-year-old Lukang house is revitalized as the area’s first licensed homestay. (Photo provided by Lukang, Meeting 1952)

By Lin Yuying / Staff Reporter

As a child, he would climb onto the roof alone to watch the clouds and daydream, escaping scolding from adults. This century-old house, which the owner Ding Shicong fought a two-year-long legal battle to save, has been renovated into the first licensed homestay in Lukang, Changhua. During the renovation, the beautiful wooden truss structure of the second-floor ceiling and the wafting scent of cypress wood amazed him and the workers on site, sparking the idea of opening a homestay. Now, with the county government relaxing homestay application rules, the old house has been given a new chance at life.

The old house was built in 1952 (the 41st year of the Republic of China). After Ding Shicong’s father passed away in 1995, he moved to Taichung with his mother and wife, leaving the old house at No. 50, Gonghou Lane, Changhua, vacant. In the past, the area was mostly inhabited by members of the Ding clan, but over the decades, most had moved away, leaving nine out of ten houses empty. The old house couldn’t withstand the test of time and began to deteriorate, and disputes arose over the undivided land, leading to lawsuits.

But he was unwilling to let the family’s old house disappear. After a two-year-long legal battle, he finally managed to save it and decided to renovate the 60-year-old home.At first, he just didn’t want the house, which held childhood memories and family history, to collapse. Unexpectedly, one day while working on the second-floor ceiling, he smelled the scent of cypress wood and looked up to see the beautiful wooden truss structure, which amazed him and the workers on site. “At that moment, I got the idea to turn it into a homestay, hoping to give the old house a new purpose!”

▲ The second floor features a 5-meter-high space with a beautifully structured wooden truss ceiling that exudes the scent of cypress wood. (Photo provided by Lukang, Meeting 1952)

▲ The partition wall at the entrance features a modern, irregular openwork design, while the lower part retains traditional brick construction. (Photo provided by Lukang, Meeting 1952)

Previously, the conditions for applying for a homestay in Changhua were strict, but starting this year, except for urban planning areas in Changhua City and Yuanlin City, the other 24 townships in Changhua County are eligible to apply. The county government has designated Lukang Town as a remote area, relaxing the homestay application standards, allowing Ding Shicong’s dream of turning the old house into a homestay to come true. He excitedly exclaimed, “I’m really lucky!”

The 60-plus-year-old house has been reborn as Lukang’s first licensed homestay, named “Lukang, Meeting 1952,” located quietly behind the bustling Lukang Tianhou Temple. There are double parking spaces outside, and the interior space covers about 40 ping (approximately 1,320 square feet), spanning two floors with a living room, lounge, kitchen, bathroom, and balcony. It operates on a spacious “entire house rental” basis, hosting only one group of guests (2 to 8 people) per day for an exclusive experience. Ding Shicong also welcomes friends in the arts and cultural community to “trade art for accommodation,” exchanging artworks for free stays. The old homestay house has transformed into an exhibition space, adding an artistic touch.

▲ The second-floor rooms feature glass brick walls and open-plan partitions. (Photo provided by Lukang, Meeting 1952)

▲ The old house has been reborn as a homestay, located quietly behind the bustling Lukang Tianhou Temple, with double parking spaces outside. (Photo provided by Lukang, Meeting 1952)

*Lukang, Meeting 1952
Address: No. 50, Gonghou Lane, Lukang Town, Changhua County 505
Phone: 0988-372120