by Edward Yu
The Lin Family Mansion and Garden (林本源園邸, also known as Lin Ben Yuan Mansion and Garden) covers a total area of approximately 20,000 square meters. In 1853, the Lin family completed the main structure: the Three-house Courtyard. In 1888, Lin Wei-Yuan, the son of Lin Guo-Hua, gave the buildings a complete refurbishment and connected all the structures and landscape into one unified garden complex. This grand garden project was finally completed in 1893.
According to Wen Qiu-Qin, a docent at the Lin Family Mansion and Garden, Lin Ping-Hou accompanied his father to Taiwan in search of opportunities in the new frontier from Zhangzhou, Fujian province, mainland China in 1784. His father didn’t spend much time in Taiwan; hence, Lin Ping-Hou is recognized as the first generation of the Lin family in Taiwan. Lin Ping-Hou managed to work for a rice merchant in Xinzhuang. During that time, there were many conflicts among different ethnic groups, and a great number of Quanzhou people resided in Xinzhuang. Thus, they moved to Daxi, Taoyuan. In 1786, because of the inflation caused by the Lin Shuangwen Rebellion, Lin Ping-Hou’s rice trading firm seeded the beginning of his wealth. He divided his portfolio of businesses into five entities, including “Yin” (飲, drink), “Shui” (水, water), “Ben” (本, should), “Si” (思, remember), “Yuan” (源, source) respectively, which serve as the family values and a constant reminder to be grateful and respectful of their origins for his five sons. The third and the fifth sons, Lin Guo-Hua (林國華) and Lin Guo-Fang (林國芳), who received the entities of “Ben” and “Yuan,” combined the two entities, leading to the formation of their family name as “Lin Ben Yuan” (林本源).
According to Wen Qiu-Qin, a docent at the Lin Family Mansion and Garden, Lin Ping-Hou accompanied his father to Taiwan in search of opportunities in the new frontier from Zhangzhou, Fujian province, mainland China in 1784. His father didn’t spend much time in Taiwan; hence, Lin Ping-Hou is recognized as the first generation of the Lin family in Taiwan. Lin Ping-Hou managed to work for a rice merchant in Xinzhuang. During that time, there were many conflicts among different ethnic groups, and a great number of Quanzhou people resided in Xinzhuang. Thus, they moved to Daxi, Taoyuan. In 1786, because of the inflation caused by the Lin Shuangwen Rebellion, Lin Ping-Hou’s rice trading firm seeded the beginning of his wealth. He divided his portfolio of businesses into five entities, including “Yin” (飲, drink), “Shui” (水, water), “Ben” (本, should), “Si” (思, remember), “Yuan” (源, source) respectively, which serve as the family values and a constant reminder to be grateful and respectful of their origins for his five sons. The third and the fifth sons, Lin Guo-Hua (林國華) and Lin Guo-Fang (林國芳), who received the entities of “Ben” and “Yuan,” combined the two entities, leading to the formation of their family name as “Lin Ben Yuan” (林本源).
The front of Three-House Courtyard, photograph by Edward Yu
Touring the Mansion and Garden
Since the mansion and the garden were donated to the government in 1970, the Three-house Courtyard (三落大厝) is the only part of the mansion that still belongs to the Lin family. Thus, it is not open all the time like the other parts of the mansion.
Lin Wei-Yuan (林維源) contributed to carrying out land census and received his official position as a Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud conferred by Liu Mingchuan, the first governor of Taiwan. The swallow-tail-shaped decoration on the roof ridge symbolizes a means of sending public opinions up to heaven, meaning that he is accountable to the public and that he will fully reflect public opinions.
The Lin Family used to walk into the mansion from the side door, and the Jigu Library (汲古書屋) was designed to give those who came in from the side door a favorable first impression. Thus, as visitors enter from the side door through the corridor, they can view this spectacular Library, full of their collection of books. To the rear is a wall of artificial mountains separating the Library and Fangjian Study for fire prevention.
The Fangjian Study (方鑑齋) was also a place where scholars and poets met. To the front of Fangian Study is a rectangular pond, whose surface is so smooth that it reflects like a mirror; hence the name Fangjian, meaning “square-looking glass.” Theatrical performances may be held at the theater before the Study for the “four arts” of the Chinese scholar, including “Qin” (琴, referred to as guqin, an ancient string instrument), “Qi” (棋, referred to as go), “Shu” (書, referred to as Chinese calligraphy), and “Hua” (畫, referred to as Chinese painting).
Since the mansion and the garden were donated to the government in 1970, the Three-house Courtyard (三落大厝) is the only part of the mansion that still belongs to the Lin family. Thus, it is not open all the time like the other parts of the mansion.
Lin Wei-Yuan (林維源) contributed to carrying out land census and received his official position as a Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud conferred by Liu Mingchuan, the first governor of Taiwan. The swallow-tail-shaped decoration on the roof ridge symbolizes a means of sending public opinions up to heaven, meaning that he is accountable to the public and that he will fully reflect public opinions.
The Lin Family used to walk into the mansion from the side door, and the Jigu Library (汲古書屋) was designed to give those who came in from the side door a favorable first impression. Thus, as visitors enter from the side door through the corridor, they can view this spectacular Library, full of their collection of books. To the rear is a wall of artificial mountains separating the Library and Fangjian Study for fire prevention.
The Fangjian Study (方鑑齋) was also a place where scholars and poets met. To the front of Fangian Study is a rectangular pond, whose surface is so smooth that it reflects like a mirror; hence the name Fangjian, meaning “square-looking glass.” Theatrical performances may be held at the theater before the Study for the “four arts” of the Chinese scholar, including “Qin” (琴, referred to as guqin, an ancient string instrument), “Qi” (棋, referred to as go), “Shu” (書, referred to as Chinese calligraphy), and “Hua” (畫, referred to as Chinese painting).
Looking at the theater from Fangjian Study, photograph by Edward Yu
Laiching Hall (來青閣) is the tallest and the most luxurious building in the Mansion. Laiching Hall is a work of skillful craftsmanship; its two-story building was once where guests were quartered. “Laiching” literally means “come green,” which is the best description of the panoramic view of green mountains and fields that greeted visitors from the building’s second floor.
In Chinese, Shiang-yu Relay (香玉簃) is pronounced as “Shiang-Yu Yi.” “Yi” is a small lodge adjacent to a lofty building. With walkways extending from its left and right connecting Laiching Hall, Dingjing Hall, and Moon-viewing Terrace, Shing-yu Relay functions as a midpoint stop, where guests can pause for a cup of tea when taking a stroll in this ample garden. This attraction used to abound with marvelous flowers and exotic plants where the Lin family could enjoy the tea and the scenery with their guests.
Situated in the middle of a pond, the Moon-viewing Terrace (月波水榭) is constructed in the shape of two diamonds joined together. The terrace must be accessed by a bridge at the edge of the pond.
Dingjing Hall (定靜堂) is a four-house courtyard complex. This complex is the largest in the area within the Lin Family Mansion and Garden. It was in this hall that the Lin family lavishly entertained their guests. The height of the ceilings and the open space within the houses give it a majestic feeling.
Guanjia Hall (觀稼樓) is also a two-story structure. In the past, farmlands and rice paddies stretched as far as one’s eyes could see from the upper level, thus giving the name “Guanjia,” which means “viewing crops.”
Banyan Shade Pond (榕蔭大池) is the final spot when walking from the Three-house Courtyard. It is an enormous pond with large Banyan trees surrounding it and shading the water with various kinds of pavilions surrounding it.
In Chinese, Shiang-yu Relay (香玉簃) is pronounced as “Shiang-Yu Yi.” “Yi” is a small lodge adjacent to a lofty building. With walkways extending from its left and right connecting Laiching Hall, Dingjing Hall, and Moon-viewing Terrace, Shing-yu Relay functions as a midpoint stop, where guests can pause for a cup of tea when taking a stroll in this ample garden. This attraction used to abound with marvelous flowers and exotic plants where the Lin family could enjoy the tea and the scenery with their guests.
Situated in the middle of a pond, the Moon-viewing Terrace (月波水榭) is constructed in the shape of two diamonds joined together. The terrace must be accessed by a bridge at the edge of the pond.
Dingjing Hall (定靜堂) is a four-house courtyard complex. This complex is the largest in the area within the Lin Family Mansion and Garden. It was in this hall that the Lin family lavishly entertained their guests. The height of the ceilings and the open space within the houses give it a majestic feeling.
Guanjia Hall (觀稼樓) is also a two-story structure. In the past, farmlands and rice paddies stretched as far as one’s eyes could see from the upper level, thus giving the name “Guanjia,” which means “viewing crops.”
Banyan Shade Pond (榕蔭大池) is the final spot when walking from the Three-house Courtyard. It is an enormous pond with large Banyan trees surrounding it and shading the water with various kinds of pavilions surrounding it.
Laiching Hall, the tallest building in the Mansion, photograph by Edward Yu