Fuzheng Village

Fuzheng Village is the biggest fishing village on Dongju Island (東莒島) and features a well-preserved Hokkien architecture (閩式建築) settlement. On the north coast of the island, between Fuzheng Beach (福正沙灘) and Dongquan Lighthouse (東犬燈塔), it is the northern equivalent of Dabu Village (大浦漁村), on the southern-most tip of the island. As a result of monsoons, fishermen islanders used to move between the two villages so that they could continue to fish. The saying “living in Fuzheng Village in the summer, living in Dabu Village in the winter” (夏福正、東大浦) captures the reality of times past. Now that the fish catch has dropped severely, and many people have moved away from the island, only small settlements of Hokkien architecture and a few remaining people are left to symbolise the proud past of the village. The White Horse King Temple (白馬尊王廟) endures, protecting the local residents, and features fire-sealing gable walls characteristic of Hokkien architecture.

The best way to enjoy Fuzheng Village is to use your own legs to walk every corner of the village. When you arrive, you will feel its special atmosphere, particularly when you look closely at the Hokkien architecture and its construction methods. As well as being prompted to imagine how difficult life must have been, and how wise local people needed to be to survive here, you will find surprises at most turns. Compared to traditional architecture in other parts of Taiwan, the uniqueness of Fuzheng Village deserves your even deeper appreciation.