Garden in Fujian links compatriots in Taiwan

In Yangcuo village of Zhangzhou, Fujian province, Lin's Garden, a protected national cultural heritage site, attracts many visitors from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

The 8,000 square-meter private garden is named for the local family of Lin Pinghou, a businessman who went to Taiwan and found success during the Qing Dynasty (1636-1911).

Starting in 1819, Lin spent two years building the garden, after which it served as a nongovernmental relief organization.

With the efforts of four generations of the Lin family, the garden had been engaged in relief for 116 years, making it the oldest such organization in China.

"After achieving success in business in Taiwan, Lin was concerned about his hometown and every year brought back a large quantity of rice and cotton cloth from Taiwan to support poor residents," said Ding Shujuan, a guide at the village. "He also sent money."

Lin Qingfu and his family are currently managing the garden. He often acts as a guide, patiently talking to visitors about the past and present.

"Lin Pinghou and his family never forgot the villagers after their success in business," he said. "The garden has become a historical witness of the blood link between people on the mainland and in Taiwan."