When asked what is special about Wufeng, nine out of ten people will mention the Lin Family Gardens. The Lin family came to Taiwan from Fuchow, and after settling first in Changhwa, they went to what is now Wufeng. (It was not given this name until 1939.) As the family slowly grew, a village developed. Gradually, the Lin family increased its wealth and power in the area.
By the end of the Ching Dynasty, the family had already acquired a great deal of wealth. At that time several members of the clan served in the army and fought against the Taiping rebels, the French, and the Japanese. The heroic deeds of a few of those family members brought even more glory to the Lins.
When one of the heroes returned home to serve as a Ching official, he built a very beautiful home, which was the first of three houses that are part of the Lin estate. This home, called the "Kong Pao Lou," is the oldest Ching official's home left in Taiwan today. When the house was built, all the wood and stone was imported from Fuchow, and the craftsmen also came from the mainland. Some special features of "Kong Pao Lou" include beautiful carved wooden doors and wall hangings and scrolls.
In a later generation, another family member increased the power and prestige of the family in his role as scholar-official. He was the one who built the other two homes which are part of the Lin estate. He first constructed "Jing Hsuen Lou" and then added "Lai Yuan" for his mother. "Lai Yuan," in particular, was surrounded by very beautiful gardens, which included a pond, many kinds of flowers and trees, and willows on the banks of a river.
At this time, the Lins' land, prestige and power were immense. It was estimated that one-half of the wealth in Taiwan was in the hands of the Lin family.
Perhaps the most famous member of the family, though, was Lin Hsien-tang, a teacher. He was well-known during the period of Japanese occupation, when he opposed the Japanese by teaching Chinese culture. He was very popular with the people of Wufeng, and even the Japanese officials were forced to treat him with respect. At that time, he was involved with one of the largest poetry societies in Taiwan, which met at his home. He also was very instrumental in attempting to convince the Japanese to give the Chinese some representation in the government. He was, however, unsuccessful in this area.
Considering the great abundance of wealth that the Lin family had, it is hard to believe that the family could lose so much so quickly. Lin Hsien-tang, however, managed to spend almost all their money on his numerous projects.
Today, most of the family is gone. According to one old woman who remembers the family when it was flourishing, where over one hundred people used to live, now only a few remain. A younger Lin woman adds that now only during the summer and winter vacations, when some of the families bring their children home and there are children playing in the yard, does the place liven up.
Much of what was left in the houses was stolen, and vandals have done a great deal of damage. Where the beautiful gardens once were, clothes now hang out to dry and someone has planted a garden. Little has been done in the way of upkeep, so the Lin homes are very dilapidated and broken down. They have been designated an historical landmark by the government, but today of the three houses, only "Lai Yuan" remains open to the public. The government had hoped to buy and renovate the homes, but because of the size of the heirs and the high price they asked, the government was unable to. Little remains of the beauty of the past. Only by looking at the quality of the wood, or at a few of the stone-carved chairs and tables that are left, is one reminded of the past glories of the Lin family.
In addition to the fame of the Lin family, Wufeng has some other special qualities. One is Tsai Rong-you. He is a young artist who was very recently chosen as one of the ten most outstanding youths in the ROC Tsai works with ceramics, and although he was not exposed to much cultural or artistic stimulation growing up in Wufeng, rather than in a large city like Taipei, he is extremely well-read. He says that he gets most of his understanding of art from books of all kinds and that his inspiration for his artwork comes from everywhere. For example, he learns about matching shapes and colors in books on plants and trees.
Wufeng's environment is also very special. Some people say it has very good fengshui, which means that the place is very fortunate. This is said in part because the Lin family settled there, in part because many important government offices are located there and in part because during World War Ⅱ while nearly all the power sub-stations were destroyed, the one in Wufeng was left untouched.
In addition, the natural environment has been very good to Wufeng. The land is extremely fertile, the flatlands are ideal for growing a multitude of crops, and the mountains which constitute about three-fourths of Wufeng are perfect for orchards.
Wufeng also developed very quickly, mostly due to the influence of the Lin family. Wufeng's position in relation to the large cities and main roads is also significant. Since it is right on the road to Taipei and Kaohsiung and only seven kilometers from Taichung, its location is strategic. Also, Taiwan's Provincial Assembly has been located in Wufeng since 1957.
Wufeng, however, also faces some serious problems. It is too close to Taichung; therefore, most people go to Taichung for social activities and shopping, and thus it lacks a chance to turn into a social or business center. Also, because the law prohibits farming land to be developed into housing or factories, business and industry have little chance to grow in Wufeng.
Yet although Wufeng is still a farming village and two-thirds of the families are classified as farmers, few of the people actually farm. Most commute to nearby factories. The farming is, for the most part, left to women or to professional migrant farmers who have rather successfully brought mechanized farming to Wufeng.
Some hope that Wufeng will become a satellite city of Taichung, but in order for that to happen, Taichung must first develop to a much higher degree.
Right now, Wufeng maintains its original silence and dignity as it goes its own way.
[Picture Caption]
Looking out through the forest at the sun going down and at the red skyline, Wufeng's dusk is beautiful.
Scenery in "Lai Yuan." 1. On the oak tree is a plaque commemorating 20 years of a society. 2. Beside the Lin graves are engraved stones and tall grass. 3. The very famous "Wu Kui Lou" where Liang Ch'i-ch'ao stayed has been turned into a dormitory. 4. Now, "Lai Yuan" is no longer what it was in the past. 5-6. "Kong Pao Ti" had gold lettering on the eaves and the door, but now is very rundown.
The doors and windows of "Kong Pao Ti" all have carved flowers. 2. The descendants of the Lins now keep birds in the eaves. 3. This is one of four entryways. 4. Things have been continuously stolen from the Lin estate; the descendants have no way to control it, so they have fastened the stone lions by the front gate with chains. 5,6,8. The courtyard of Jing Hsuen Lou, formerly filled with flowers and people, now stands empty and silent. 7. Jung Ching Chai, situated to the right of Jing Hsuen Lou, once served as the Lin family's study.
1. Wufeng has a great many corn fields. 2. Wufeng's climate is warm and the soil fertile, perfect conditions for rice cultivation. 3. The farmers join together to build an access road through the fields. 4. After the rice has been harvested, the farmers tie the stalks into bundles to dry in the sun. 5. Flammulina mushrooms are Wufeng's most important agricultural product. 6. A farmer waters her vegetable field. 7. Wufeng has a lot of bamboo, the leaves of which turn yellow in the fall season.
1. Birds resting on electrical wires. 2. Chung-cheng Road, Wufeng's main thoroughfare, boasts a large number of stores. 3. The earthenware pots found in many households are reminiscent of ancient pottery styles. 4,7. The children hold hands on their way to school; the school's playground seems very empty after they have returned home. 5. A woman cuts oranges in her home to be sold for canning. 6. Tsai Rong-you works his artistic magic with the potter's wheel.
1. Majestic coconut palms line the drive of a private home in Wufeng. 2. A grandmother takes her grandchild for a stroll in the sun. 3. A view of the attic of a private home. 4,5. The park surrounding the site of Taiwan's Provincial Assembly is full of natural beauty. In the fall, the leaves become even more beautiful.
Scenery in "Lai Yuan." 1. On the oak tree is a plaque commemorating 20 years of a society.
2. Beside the Lin graves are engraved stones and tall grass.
3. The very famous "Wu Kui Lou" where Liang Ch'i-ch'ao stayed has been turned into a dormitory.
4. Now, "Lai Yuan" is no longer what it was in the past.
5-6. "Kong Pao Ti" had gold lettering on the eaves and the door, but now is very rundown.
5-6. "Kong Pao Ti" had gold lettering on the eaves and the door, but now is very rundown.
The doors and windows of "Kong Pao Ti" all have carved flowers.
2. The descendants of the Lins now keep birds in the eaves.
3. This is one of four entryways.
4. Things have been continuously stolen from the Lin estate; the descendants have no way to control it, so they have fastened the stone lions by the front gate with chains.
5,6,8. The courtyard of Jing Hsuen Lou, formerly filled with flowers and people, now stands empty and silent.
5,6,8. The courtyard of Jing Hsuen Lou, formerly filled with flowers and people, now stands empty and silent.
5,6,8. The courtyard of Jing Hsuen Lou, formerly filled with flowers and people, now stands empty and silent.
7. Jung Ching Chai, situated to the right of Jing Hsuen Lou, once served as the Lin family's study.
1. Wufeng has a great many corn fields.
2. Wufeng's climate is warm and the soil fertile, perfect conditions for rice cultivation.
3. The farmers join together to build an access road through the fields.
4. After the rice has been harvested, the farmers tie the stalks into bundles to dry in the sun.
5. Flammulina mushrooms are Wufeng's most important agricultural product.
6. A farmer waters her vegetable field.
7. Wufeng has a lot of bamboo, the leaves of which turn yellow in the fall season.
1. Birds resting on electrical wires.
2. Chung-cheng Road, Wufeng's main thoroughfare, boasts a large number of stores.
3. The earthenware pots found in many households are reminiscent of ancient pottery styles.
4,7. The children hold hands on their way to school; the school's playground seems very empty after they have returned home.
4,7. The children hold hands on their way to school; the school's playground seems very empty after they have returned home.
5. A woman cuts oranges in her home to be sold for canning.
6. Tsai Rong-you works his artistic magic with the potter's wheel.
1. Majestic coconut palms line the drive of a private home in Wufeng.
2. A grandmother takes her grandchild for a stroll in the sun.
3. A view of the attic of a private home.
4,5. The park surrounding the site of Taiwan's Provincial Assembly is full of natural beauty. In the fall, the leaves become even more beautiful.
4,5. The park surrounding the site of Taiwan's Provincial Assembly is full of natural beauty. In the fall, the leaves become even more beautiful.
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