The century-old Lin Family Mansion and Garden was formerly used by the Lin Family to collect rents and crops. Later on, it was expanded by brothers Guo-Hua and Guo-Fang Lin. The building was damaged by war for several times; yet, through restoration carried out by the government afterward, it was once again open to the public as an exquisite building filled with nostalgia.When entering the Lin Family Mansion and Garden, you will see classic pavilions and small bridges spanning the waters. The reflections of the willows on the lake bring tranquility to visitors in the midst of a bustling city. The Lin Family Mansion and Garden consists of a garden and the family mansion. The garden refers to the garden outside the mansion, including the tallest and most magnificent Lai Qing Ge (Green Building). The building received its name because Guanyin Mountain and Datun Mountain are visible while looking out from the building. It was also a place for receiving honorable guests in the past. You can watch the moon in the middle of the pond. Ding Jing Tang, taking up the most space of the entire place, used to be a place for holding big gatherings. There are also many artificial landscapes; visitors can observe the creatures in the pond from the pavilion.The Lin Family Mansion consists of three rows of buildings situated on the west side of the whole area. Visitors can first register for tour guide services and follow the docent to learn about ancient buildings from the Qing dynasty. It is said that the stele of Imperial Decree in the courtyard of the mansion was given by Empress Dowager Cixi on behalf of the Guangxu Emperor as a token of appreciation for the Lin Family’s donation to the Qing court, showing the close relationship between the Lin family and the royal court. Visitors can check out the carvings on the rooftop with swallow-tail ridges, which include turtles (symbols of longevity) and Kirins (symbols of good luck). The diverse patterns represent the Lin family’s wishes back then.
The above pictures and texts are taken from the New Taipei City Tourism Website.