Shi-yi Building, Historical merchant residence in Lukang, Taiwan.
The Shi-yi Building is a merchant residence in Lukang with an elevated passage spanning across Jinsheng Lane. The structure connects adjacent buildings and features defensive gun holes in its walls plus a ventilation tower in its first section.
The Chen family built this structure during the Qing Dynasty as part of their Qingchang trading company. The building reflects the commercial strength of wealthy merchants in the region during that era.
The name Shi-yi refers to ten refined activities: music, chess, poetry, wine, painting, flowers, moon, gambling, smoking, and tea drinking. These pastimes reflect the lifestyle of wealthy merchants that shaped how this house was designed and used.
The building sits within Lukang Old Street, which is easily accessible on foot. Morning or late afternoon visits work best when the alleyways are quieter and lighting favors viewing the architecture.
A wide ventilation tower in the first section moves air through the deeper rooms of the house. This design shows how merchants created practical solutions to keep living spaces comfortable in complex structures.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
