Yifangju Ancient Residence

The Yifangju Ancient Residence was built by the Chen clan, early pioneers of Taipei. The Chen family of Yifangju originated from Anxi County, Quanzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province. During the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong era, their ancestors crossed the sea to Taiwan to cultivate land. While they already had a dwelling, it wasn't until the early Guangxu era that they invested heavily to construct Yifangju. This *sanheyuan* (three-sided courtyard) ancient house is a typical example of traditional residences in the Taipei Basin. The main hall entrance features a recessed porch design. The walls of both the main hall and the side wings are sturdy, thick brick and stone, with fewer door and window openings. Additionally, a two-story defensive structure, or 'gun tower,' was built in the outer side wing, enabling counterattack and self-preservation in case of bandit invasion. Many of its windows are also made of sandstone produced in Taipei, giving it a distinct local characteristic. The plaque above its main entrance reads "Yifangju", bearing the inscription "Bingzi Year", which is estimated to correspond to the second year of the Qing Guangxu era (1876). In modern times, with the rapid development of Taipei City, Qing Dynasty ancient residences like Yifangju are becoming increasingly rare, and it serves as a historical testament to Taipei's early development.