Beishan Western Mansion is a Minnan-style Western mansion in the Guningtou area of Kinmen, whose main building was constructed in the late 1920s, with a two-story annex added between 1932 and 1933. Occupied by PLA forces as a command post during the 1949 Battle of Guningtou, the mansion's walls still bear unrepaired bullet and shrapnel holes — the most tangible physical evidence surviving from the battle.
The main building of Beishan Western Mansion was funded by three brothers, Li Jinyu, Li Yanya, and Li Tianzhu, who had made their fortune trading in the Philippines; the house was completed in the late 1920s, with interior paintings finished in 1937, and a two-story annex added on the left side between 1932 and 1933. During the 1949 Battle of Guningtou, PLA forces occupied the building as a temporary command post, and bullet holes and embedded shrapnel remain visible in the walls today.
Highlights of Beishan Western Mansion
The mansion was built in 1921 and is a two-story Minnan-style Western building blending traditional Minnan and Southeast Asian colonial architectural styles, with its original brick exterior walls intact. During the Battle of Guningtou in 1949, PLA forces occupied the building to establish a command post; when the ROC Army counterattacked, fierce fighting took place here. The outer walls were left with a large number of bullet and shrapnel holes after the battle, which have been preserved unrepaired to this day.
Detailed interpretation panels beside the building explain the mansion's construction history, its use during the battle, and its post-war preservation. As part of the Guningtou Battle historic site cluster, Beishan Western Mansion, the Guningtou Battle Museum, and the surrounding Guningtou settlement form a walkable battle-site tour route.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Hours
- Beishan Western Mansion is in Beishan Village, Jinning Township, a few minutes' walk from the Guningtou Battle Museum. It can be included as one stop on a walking route through the Guningtou historic area.
- The exterior of the building is accessible all day, no ticket required. Daytime hours with good natural light are best for observing the bullet hole details.
Nearby Connections
- The Guningtou Battle Museum is within walking distance. Visiting the museum first and then coming to the mansion is recommended, forming a complete thematic route focused on the Battle of Guningtou.
- Cihu Wetland is on the north side of Guningtou. During bird-watching season, it can be added to form a one-day route contrasting wartime history with natural ecology.
Sources: Kinmen National Park Headquarters; Wikipedia entry on the Battle of Guningtou. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who funded the construction of Beishan Western Mansion?
Three brothers, Li Jinyu, Li Yanya, and Li Tianzhu, who had made their fortune trading in the Philippines, funded the main building in the late 1920s and added a two-story annex between 1932 and 1933.
How is the mansion connected to the Battle of Guningtou?
PLA forces occupied the mansion as a temporary command post during the 1949 Battle of Guningtou, leaving the walls riddled with bullet holes that remain unrepaired today.
Are the bullet holes really left unrepaired?
Yes, the bullet and shrapnel holes on the rear building and left exterior wall have been preserved since 1949, and embedded shrapnel is still visible in the walls.
Sources
- 北山古洋樓 - 維基百科 — 建造年份、興建者、古寧頭戰役期間角色