Calligraphy has taken over the old school

Two wooden chairs face four square works. A red stroke cuts across a field of black marks; beside it, greens and oranges curl around each other. You can follow the colours before reading the characters.

Chen grew up in Baihe. In a 2024 essay, he writes about lotus-seed harvests, drying fields and neighbours drinking lotus tea after work. The former Qinei Primary School now houses the Taiwan calligraphy museum, operated by his team, with exhibition rooms and artist-themed accommodation under the Zairen name.

This is a countryside stop in northern Tainan, about 15 minutes by car from Baihe bus station. Make it part of a Baihe or Guanziling trip, with time for the works and the old school grounds. Contact the team for a room, workshop or guided group visit.