Although he was born in the village of Wubei in Kouhu Township, Mr. Lee Wan-chü (1901-1966) was an outstanding person in the area. Although he was poor since childhood, he still worked hard and strived for the opportunity to study in Shanghai and France. During the Japanese rule period, Lee joined the anti-Japanese movement after completing his studies. He then organized the Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News to criticize current affairs and speak out for freedom and justice. Even after the February 28th Incident, he still fought for democracy and devoted his whole life to the democratic movement, and he eventually gained the local reputation of being the the pioneer of democracy.
The former residence of Lee Wan-chü is located in a small alley next to the Tiaotianfu Temple in Wubei Village. It was originally a thatched hut, but was converted into a brick house as life improved. It was then designed and built by local people, using subsidies from the Cultural Affairs Commission, and by scholars and experts, which finally allowed this lost sacred site of democracy to reappear, turning the unused space into a spiritual enlightenment center with cultural education and recreational functions.
The building still retains the original style of a dragon, with an elegant style in its simplicity. The interior displays are accompanied by pictures and textual explanations of his life, allowing visitors to learn more about his life and life outside of his home, as well as serving as a space for community activities. The square in front of the former residence is open, and there is a pavilion for resting on the side. The entire area exudes a sense of rural simplicity and is worth a visit on weekends and holidays.
The ancient well to the north of Mr. Lee's former residence was called Yaodiankou (“Medicine-Store Mouth”). It was the main source of water for the residents at that time; when the residents in the neighborhood needed water, they would carry buckets to this well to draw water. According to the local elders, the ancient well must have existed since the Ming dynasty and the period of Koxinga’s kingdom, and it is said that the well was dug by the Dutch at that time, where the water quality was sweet. There is also a local legend that the well could predict the weather, and whenever the weather changed, the well water would become muddy immediately.
Additional Notes: 1. Group visits must be scheduled with the Wubei Community Development Association in advance, there are no service staff available on weekdays. 2. The parking lot is at Tiaotianfu Temple, and is within walking distance to the Enlightenment Center, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
