Chonglan Xiao Family Ancient House Introduction
The traditional Minnan-style Xiǎo Family Ancestral House in Chonglan was established in 1880 and has a history of over 130 years. It is located in Chonglan Village, Pingtung City. Based on the current appearance of the ancestral house, it is easy to imagine the prosperous scene of the Xiǎo family during that time, as they were a prominent and philanthropic merchant clan in Pingtung. During the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, the ancestor of the Xiǎo family, Xiǎo Wéitiān, crossed the sea to Taiwan, initially working in agriculture. He later started a sugar business from scratch, and as his business prospered, wealth was gradually accumulated, ultimately making him a wealthy merchant. The Xiǎo family was not only immensely wealthy but also had a large family. To foster relationships, they often hosted various banquets, and a local saying at that time, "Chonglan Xiǎo, three days without cooking, not hungry," reflects their affluent lifestyle. The Xiǎo family also made significant contributions to local education. For example, when Pingtung Academy was established in 1815, the Xiǎo family actively supported the promotion of educational affairs with both financial aid and effort, helping the academy to operate effectively. The "Kèyú Xuàn" school located next to the ancestral house was run by the Xiǎo family members, who took turns teaching Chinese studies to help local residents learn Chinese literature. After Taiwan's restoration, they once donated space for the agricultural association to run a school, alleviating the educational burden on local children. Living in luxury, the Xiǎo family's residence exhibited grandeur and elegance. The ancestral house adopts the Minnan architectural style, characterized by the use of red bricks, red tiles, and wood, with a focus on detailed decorations. The intricate carvings include floral decorations in the entrance hall, lifelike koi fish wooden sculptures, wooden carvings of mythical creatures on the walls, decorative motifs on the ridge of the roof, and bamboo-patterned windows — all showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. In addition to Chinese decorative styles, Western-style landscape paintings were cleverly incorporated into the design, making it even more stunning. Today, the Xiǎo Family Ancestral House is an important cultural heritage site in the Chonglan area. To preserve this precious historical building and promote local community development projects, it has been planned as the "A-Hou Local Culture Museum," which includes a local history museum and a creative workshop. Cultural and artistic events are frequently held, gradually transforming the area into a cultural living circle.
