The Luzhou Lee Family Historic Estate (蘆洲李宅古蹟) is a historic house and estate dating back to the Qing dynasty. Located a little northwest of Taipei in New Taipei City, it’s a gem of traditional culture surrounded by the urban concrete jungle.
It was originally the residence of Lee Yo-Bang, a general well known as the first to be engaged in battle with the Japanese after their invasion. After Japan won the war, the family decided to renovate the estate. They turned it into something that would protect and preserve their strong Chinese identity and culture. As you walk around you’ll see what life would have looked like 100 years ago, with the estate still housing the same antique furniture and stone mill. It even has the same kind of reddish Chinese roofing tiles as when it was first constructed.
How to get there
The nearest Taipei Metro station is Sanmin Senior High School on the orange line. To get here from Taipei Station, first take the red line to Minquan West Road Station. After this transfer for the orange line to Sanmin Senior High School Station (23 minutes, NT$45).
By far the easiest way to get from the station to the Luzhou Lee Family Historic Estate is to take the YouBike. There is a YouBike station outside Sanmin Senior High School Station and another one tucked away outside the complex, near the south wall. It takes about 4 minutes to get there on a bicycle, or about 10 minutes on foot.
Hours and fees
Hours: 9am to 5pm
Closed: Mondays
Admission: NT$80
Official website: luchoulee.org.tw