Erkan Chen Residence, Historical residence in Xiyu Township, Taiwan
Erkan Chen Residence is a traditional home in southern Fujian style located in Xiyu Township, on Taiwan's Penghu Islands. It follows a rectangular layout with three halls linked by inner courtyards, and its walls, doorways, and roof edges carry hand-carved ornamentation typical of prosperous families from that region.
The residence was built in 1910 by two brothers at a time when trade between southern China and Taiwan was growing steadily. The building techniques used here came directly from the Fujian coast and were brought to the Penghu Islands by skilled craftspeople who traveled with merchant families.
The residence displays traditional relief carvings on windows, doors, and eaves that reflect how wealthy families of the early 1900s decorated their homes and valued ornamental craftsmanship. Walking through the rooms, you can see how these details expressed the family's status and connection to southern Fujian artistic traditions.
The property is in a rural part of Xiyu Township and is best reached by bike or scooter, as public transport in the area is limited. Once there, the space is open and easy to walk through, so you can move between the halls and courtyards at your own pace.
Although the building stands on a small island group in the middle of the sea, it replicates precisely the style found in coastal towns of mainland Fujian at the time. This fidelity to mainland forms shows how closely Penghu families stayed connected to their home regions in southern China.
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