Yunlin Storyhouse

There's a lovely older photograph on Yunlin Storyhouse's website: painted lanterns hanging from a big tree, a whole crowd tucked underneath, and a wooden house standing quietly beside them. A little shy, almost. Before anyone asks, this is the house's own activity photograph; we haven't been sneaking around with a camera. After spending a century sheltering people and overhearing their stories, the building deserves a turn at the microphone.

This September, it gets one. A roof-tile restoration exhibition runs September 5–26, 2026, inside the former Japanese-era official residence in Huwei. On the final Saturday, September 26, tile craftsman Wang Rong-gui, founder of 齊瓦室, leads a curator's tour from 14:00 to 15:00. Its title, 一雙手，守住一百年, puts one pair of hands in charge of keeping a hundred years standing. We can all point upwards and say “beautiful roof.” Someone with proper skills has to get up there and deal with its little complications.

Built in the 1920s, the house housed the Huwei district magistrate—the local big cheese. A preservation campaign helped keep it standing, and in December 2007 it became Yunlin Storyhouse, now run by the Yunlin Storytellers Association. The storytelling, handmade books and workshops are what keep bringing people back after they've taken the obligatory photograph.

Want to be on speaking terms with the house before the roof specialist turns up? There's a house tour, 故事ㄟ厝, on September 13 from 11:00 to 12:00. Afterwards, Huwei's streets can take care of the food-hunting part.

Practical matters: Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00, and national holidays. September 23, 24 and 30 are additional closure days; don't choose one of those for your grand entrance. Admission is NT$50, less than a fancy hand-shaken drink. Yunlin residents, children aged six and under, and visitors with disability identification enter free. Bring the relevant proof.

Groups of ten or more need to book ahead. Ask the house how to join particular events and what languages its tours can offer. English doesn't necessarily pop out on demand.

The address is 528, Section 1, Linsen Road, Huwei, Yunlin. From HSR Yunlin station, jump in a taxi: about 4.8 kilometres and twelve minutes. The current programme and booking form are linked below. Telephone: 05-6311436.

Images: Yunlin Storyhouse / Yunlin Storytellers Association. The gathering is an older website photograph; the programme poster is for September 2026.