Erkan Historical Village in Siyu Township

Entering Erkan Historical Village, it feels as if entering a time tunnel where you can see traditional houses everywhere built bricks and tiles. Under foot is not the asphalt road, but the traditional bricks. Located in Erkan Village, Penghu County, Erkan Historical Village was listed as the traditional settlement protection area in 1989 and is also the first tradition settlement protection area in Taiwan. Until now, the entire village settlement is still maintaining the traditional and the natural appearance, and is retaining the trail that Han people risked to cross the sea for development in the past.

The dwelling situation of Erkan Historical Village presents plane settings and buildings, which have the function and advantage of adjusting the climate, and make us admire the ancestor’s wisdom. The original lifestyle and the traditional custom of local residents are still insisted on. For example, the buildings should not be higher than the sole local temple “Er Xing Temple” such traditional customs are very special and impressive. 

Take a broad glance, the most famous building “Chen’s House” in Erkan Historical Village has been listed as a Class C historical site by the government. Within the “Chen’s House”, there is not only deliberate stone carving and wood carving, but also preserves antique calligraphy and paintings, which are breathtaking. Such a large-scale historic site is very area even in Penghu County. In 2001, Erkan Village was selected as one of the 100 important buildings in Taiwan architectural history for its high historic and cultural value. 

The special product of Erkan Historical Village “Erkan Fragrance” is a manmade fragrance made from three treasures of Penghu, including beauty chrysanthemum, the mountain cotton rose, the Chinese mugwort, from the starting point of environmental protection. Its fragrance is unforgettable and can be used to dispel mosquito, avoid evils. In a word, it is an environmental special product full of innovation and traditional features. 

Walking in the street, you can the ancient urn placed in front of each house filled with the traditional preserved foods. Because the local place is a plane settlement, and has no man-made pollution, we can see the scenery that the blue sky and the ground connect, very beautiful. Many residents plant simple vegetables inside their garden, living a very traditional life but full of fun. 

Besides traditional houses and historical sites, there are many memorial halls in local place, such as Erkan Chinese Herbal Memorial Hall, and so on. Besides, there are many snack restaurants of traditional flavor. 

The residents in Erkan Historical Village do not only maintain the traditional style in architecture and diet, but also when walking in Erkan Historical Village, you can see the rural landscape everywhere and even see the trace of cattle, totally different from the urban lifestyle. Erkan Historical Village is a beautify holy land nostalgic tourists must go to. It is a village full of human kindness and enthusiasm and has a special historical and cultural atmosphere of Penghu. 

In Erkan Historical Village, it seems as if going back to the past and returning to the hometown in our childhood. Without the disturbance of urbanization and technology, Erkan Historical Village persists in its original appearance, is very meaningful in historic and cultural aspect, and is a landscape you must not miss when visiting Penghu.