You can learn a lot about a country by knowing its history. History is a very important bridge which connects us to our past and reminds us of the relevant events that have brought us to where we are today.
There are various historical markers that a country can have, all of which are tangible products of history. Cultural traditions, government policy, and even food culture can all be reflections of a country’s past traumas and achievements. Out of all of them, traditional architecture is the most concrete link to a country’s past. Even just one historical building can reveal thousands of years’ worth of tradition, culture and heritage.
A glimpse at the thousands of years’ worth of tradition, heritage, and culture is precisely what Lukang Township offers. Lukang is a township situated in Changhua County, on the west coast of Taiwan. From the Taipei Main Station, it takes just one train ride on the Taiwan Railway to get to Changhua, and one bus to get to Lukang. The whole trip to Lukang from Taipei takes about four hours.
The town of Lukang used to be an important trading port for the exchange of goods. It was a bustling city in the past as a center for commerce. Through the years, a slow decline occurred, as other cities became more and more urbanized. Due to this decline, Lukang was left behind in the urbanization, and many of its traditional architecture still remains today.
Lukang is no longer the same bustling city as it was hundreds of years ago. Taking a stroll through the town now feels calm and peaceful; you can take time to stop and smell the flowers along the way. But what really makes Lukang special is how history has been preserved within its side streets and alleys. The main roads of Lukang look like a modern city, but take the roads less travelled, and you will be brought back to Lukang in its heyday. Its side streets and alleys are filled with old houses, shops, mansions, and temples. These old shops and streets also often feature traditional Taiwanese food and professions, which are rarely still practiced today. With its red-bricked streets, walls and houses, Lukang’s traditional architecture is a visual feast to behold.
Two of the most notable forms of traditional architecture in Lukang are the hundreds of shop houses and temples to be found. A shop house doubles as a home and a place of business. The front of the house is usually used as a store, while the back is used for storage and as a living space for the family. They are usually built to be narrow, but tall and long. There are three different kinds of shop house styles that can be found in Lukang, from three different time periods. But even if they all look slightly different, they all have the same purpose.
Different temples of various sizes built to worship all kinds of deities are also littered throughout the city.
Lukang is amazing because you can feel and see history come to life with every landmark that you pass by. Each old house, abandoned building, and street has its own story which you can discover. The town also welcomes everyone to know more about it and to learn more about history, through its different open and free museums and exhibits which you can visit.
Each landmark truly has its own vivid story, and a lot of organizations are doing their best to preserve them. One company called the Jasmine Humanistic Environment Education Center, or Lukang Molly, has dedicated itself to the repair and restoration of old houses and buildings. Their goal is to give old houses and buildings a new purpose after they have been repaired. Many of the houses that they have repaired are now businesses; one is a hostel, another one is a bookstore, another is a tea shop, and many more. Through their efforts, dead houses and buildings are given a new purpose, and a chance to make a new story.
At first look, Lukang might not be the most exciting town one can go to. Granted, it doesn’t have the most exciting activities that a town can offer. But learning more about the town and its history is an incredible experience all in its self. Lukang has incredible historical value and it is being preserved well. This is a very important destination for everyone interested in Taiwanese culture, tradition and heritage. If you want to catch a glimpse of Taiwan from a thousand years ago, this is a good place to do so. You will learn something new with every day spent in this town, whether it be about historical architecture, Taiwanese food, or old professions.
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