This gallery is a replica of a traditional Kinmen house.
- The details you see here give you a glimpse of the typical architecture you will find in Kinmen.
- On the high walls you will see intricate tile designs that look like scrolls and books.
- Our replica highlights education because it was important to the people of Kinmen.
As you can tell from the map displayed on the wall, the island of Kinmen sits between China and Taiwan, and holds great significance to the Yeoh family. It is the place of origin of Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay’s father, Yeoh Cheng Liam.
- Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay made his first visit to his ancestral home in Kinmen in the 90s. That visit affected him profoundly and marked the beginning of a lifelong dedication to honour his origins.
- He wanted to impart that experience and values to his next generations, so he made the effort to bring his children and grandchildren to Kinmen every year after. You can see some of these photos of the family visits on the TV screen.
- Over the years, he managed to fulfil his father’s dream to rebuild the Yeoh Ancestral Shrine in his village, and also made substantial contributions to Kinmen’s learning institutions.
Inside the display tables, you will find unique artefacts and memorabilia that Kinmen is known for.
- From the far left, you will see knives that are forged from old bombshells. As Kinmen was located at the frontline of the Taiwan-China conflict, much of Kinmen’s craft uses decommissioned bomb parts to remember that history.
- There is a music score sheet of the song, Sweet Potato Love, a Kinmen folk tune that recalls the days when sweet potatoes sustained the locals through hardship. This is Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay’s favourite song, which you can hear in the background.
- The next display shows gaoliang, which is a strong sorghum liquor. It is part and parcel of Kinmen’s culture and daily life, and one of the island’s most celebrated craft.
- As you move to the right, you will see a calligraphy scroll that was presented to Tan Sri Yeoh by Mr Wu of Kinmen, the head of Kinmen’s ruling party at the time.
- On the walls, there are two calligraphy plaques which feature words of wisdom in Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay and Puan Sri Tan Kai Yong’s own handwriting.