Bishan Village is a traditional settlement in Jinsha Township, Kinmen, founded by the Chen clan whose ancestor Chen Dezong migrated here from Jinjiang, Fujian during the Yuan dynasty, giving the village over 700 years of history. It preserves traditional Minnan houses alongside overseas Chinese mansions such as Chen Dexing House and Chen Qingji House, and is known as Kinmen's first painted village for its murals.
Bishan Village was founded by ancestor Chen Dezong, who migrated from Jinjiang, Fujian during the Yuan dynasty; the entire village bears the surname Chen, with the clan hall name "Yingchuan," and has a history of over 700 years. Notable mansions in the village include Chen Dexing House, completed in 1926, and Chen Qingji House, built in 1931 by Chen Qingji, an overseas Chinese merchant based in Singapore. Bishan is also known as Kinmen's first painted village. (An earlier draft incorrectly identified the village's main clan as the Xu family; verified sources confirm it is the Chen clan — corrected here.)
Highlights of Bishan Village
Bishan sits in the central hilly area of Jinsha Township, with the village layout following the gentle slope of the terrain. The Xu clan is the dominant family group here. The Qing dynasty houses follow a two- or three-bay courtyard plan, with the main rooms arranged formally, side wings flanking a semi-enclosed courtyard with a central well. Outer walls are typically built with granite foundations and red brick upper sections, with clearly upturned swallowtail ridge ends on the roofs — the standard vocabulary of traditional Minnan residential architecture.
The Bishan Folk Plant Garden nearby presents Kinmen's traditional medicinal plants, farming tools, and everyday objects through outdoor displays. There is no admission fee, making it a relaxed place to wander. A small number of elderly residents still live in the old houses; visitors should respect private space and appreciate the buildings from the public lanes without entering any building that is not open to the public.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there and timing
- Bishan Village is in the central part of Jinsha Township, about 5 to 10 minutes by car from the Jinsha Township town center. A self-rental vehicle is recommended; scooters can be parked roadside.
- The village has no fixed opening hours and is accessible all day. Some old houses are private residences — do not enter uninvited. When taking photos, be mindful not to disturb residents.
Nearby connections
- About 10 minutes from the Tianpu sorghum field area by car. In autumn the two can be combined for agricultural landscape and traditional architecture in a single Jinsha Township rural half-day route.
- The Xu family Western-style house (Xipuhtou) and the Rongyuan Banyan Grove are nearby and can be added to extend the itinerary into a full-day tour of Jinsha Township's diverse architectural culture.
Sources: Kinmen National Park Headquarters cultural landscape survey data, Jinsha Township Office interpretive information. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main surname of Bishan Village's clan?
The village is entirely surnamed Chen, founded by ancestor Chen Dezong who migrated from Jinjiang in the Yuan dynasty.
What are Bishan Village's notable mansions?
Chen Dexing House, completed in 1926, and Chen Qingji House, built in 1931 by Singapore-based overseas Chinese merchant Chen Qingji.
Why is Bishan called a "painted village"?
Because its old house walls are covered in murals, making it Kinmen's first painted village.
Sources
- 我的家鄉是碧山－金門日報全球資訊網 — 陳氏開基、堂號、聚落歷史
- 金門景點｜碧山聚落彩繪村與陳清吉洋樓 — 陳清吉洋樓建造背景與彩繪村說明
- 陳德幸洋樓－維基百科 — 陳德幸洋樓落成年份