Name:The Lin Family Mansion and Garden
Ticket price: NT$80 (currently NT$40 during the construction-period promotional offer)
Opening hours: 09:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: on the first Monday of each month
Guided tour time: The last tour starts at 15:00 (free)
Introduction: Located in the bustling Banqiao District of New Taipei City, this historic building is one of Taiwan’s nationally monuments. This garden-style residence was originally owned by the wealthy Lin family and was later donated to the local government.
Experience: Although construction was underway, most of the main halls, lofts, and pavilions were still open to visitors. The dignified atmosphere of the welcoming hall (Ding-Jing Hall) is especially striking. The decorative motifs on the surrounding walls are also worth appreciating, such as bats, and some fruit-shaped designs convey auspicious meanings of fortune, prosperity, and longevity. There are also rockeries, small bridges, and lanterns to see.
Among the areas currently open to the public, Fang-Jian Study and Yue-Po Terrace were my favorite scenic spots on this visit. Fang-Jian Study, originally a place for studying, has an opera stage directly opposite it and is surrounded by ponds, where beautiful lotus flowers bloom. Yue-Po Terrace features gracefully winding trees and another pond, where two ducks can be seen.
Finally, upon leaving the residence, I noticed the stone tablet inscribed with “出將 入相”. It serves as a reminder for visitors to reflect on historical footsteps and conveys the hope that future generations will be both virtuous and talented, skilled in both literary and martial arts. This is a wonderful place to experience a distinctive style of traditional mansion architecture.
