Lin Antai Old Homestead

Lonely Planet review

This is Taipei's oldest residential building. The southern Fujian style 30-room house was built during the years 1783-87, near what is now Dunhua S Rd. It was gradually expanded as this wealthy merchant family grew. The home reached its present size in 1823.

However, the city also expanded and in the 1970s this historic home was slated to be destroyed as the road was being widened. Thankfully, public outcry saved it; the building was painstakingly dismantled and, in 1983, rebuilt on this field across from Xinsheng Park. Today the house is notable for its central courtyard, swallowtail roof and period furniture. We're not sure the Lin family would have wanted their house in the shadow of an expressway (as it currently is) but we bet they'd be glad it's been preserved.