Lukang Ding Family Jinshi Historic House

**Lugang Ding Family Jinshi Ancient House｜A residence of southern Fujian gentry that has traveled through a century, a living monument that witnesses the glory of the imperial examination** **🏮Recommendation reason:** The small town of Lukang hides countless historical treasures, and the "Ding Family Jinshi Ancient House" is definitely a low-key but stunning page! This ancient house, which combines the architectural aesthetics of southern Fujian with the imperial examination culture of the Qing Dynasty, is one of the few intact residences of Jinshi scholars in Taiwan, and it bears witness to the prosperous literary style of Lukang in the past. Walking through it, you can seem to hear the sound of reading in a scholarly family a hundred years ago. **✨ Highlights:** 1. **Living testimony to the glory of the imperial examination** The owner of the ancient house, Ding Shouquan, was one of the few literati in Taiwan who passed the imperial examination and became a "Jinshi" in the Qing Dynasty. A plaque with the words "Jinshi" hangs high above the lintel of his house, highlighting the low-key style of his aristocratic family. Many talented scholars emerged from the descendants, making Lukang the "home of literary stars"! 2. **Textbook of Southern Fujian Architectural Aesthetics** - **Three-in-three-courtyard layout**: From the entrance hall, main hall to the back house, the clearly structured space demonstrates traditional family ethics. - **A must-see for those who love craftsmanship and details**: The brick carvings, wooden structures, and window grilles are all exquisite, especially the openwork "Chihu Tuanluo" in the main hall, which symbolizes family unity and is a treasure to protect the house! - **Security of anti-theft**: The "gun eye" design on the exterior wall reflects the turbulent background of the late Qing Dynasty and hides the wisdom of life. 3. **Immersive historical experience** The old house still retains the original appearance of the Qing Dynasty study, bedroom and kitchen, and displays Ding family relics such as ancient books, medicine cabinets (the Ding family is famous for practicing medicine), and even gives you a glimpse of the "examination strategy" of the Jinshi of that time! **📌 Useful Information:** - **Address**: No. 132, Zhongshan Road, Lukang Town (near Lukang Old Street, within walking distance) - **Opening hours**: 09:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays) - **Tickets**: Free admission (donations are recommended to support the maintenance of the monument) - **Surrounding tours**: Lukang Longshan Temple, Tianhou Temple, Guihuaxiang Art Village, take a "small cultural trip to the ancient town"! **💡 Travel Tips:** - It is recommended to join the guided tour (scheduled sessions on holidays) and listen to the stories of the house told by the descendants of the Ding family or volunteers, which is more heartwarming. - The light and shadow of the courtyard of the ancient house are extremely beautiful. Those who love photography are recommended to go there in the morning or afternoon to capture the texture of the red bricks and wood carvings. - Don’t miss the “Book Garden” in the backyard, where you can sit under the century-old trees and enjoy the quiet time. **🎙️True truth:** "Compared to the well-known tourist attractions with huge crowds of people, the Ding Family Old House is like a history book waiting to be read. When my fingers touched the mottled marks on the door frame, I suddenly understood what it meant to say 'a house is half of the history of Lukang'." This old house is suitable for slow travelers, culture buffs, or those who simply want to find a quiet corner to calm their soul. When you come to Lukang, don’t just eat snacks, spend an hour at the Ding Family Jinshi Ancient House and let the old house tell you stories!