Chunglan Hsiao Family Ancestral Hall Introduction
The Chonglan Hsiao Family Ancient House, which employs traditional Minnan architectural style, was established in 1880 and has a history of over 130 years. It is located in Chonglan Village, Pingtung City. Based on the appearance of the ancient house seen today, it is easy to imagine the wealth and prominence of the Hsiao family during its peak, as they were influential merchants and local patrons in Pingtung. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, Hsiao Weitian, the ancestor of the Hsiao family, crossed the sea to Taiwan and initially engaged in agricultural work. Later, he started a sugar trading business from scratch. With the business flourishing and wealth accumulating, he ultimately became a prosperous merchant. The Hsiao family was not only exceedingly wealthy, but also had a large and thriving population. To foster familial relationships, gatherings were frequently held, evidenced by the local saying, “Chonglan Hsiao, three days without cooking will not go hungry,” which reflects their affluence. The Hsiao family also made significant contributions to local education; for instance, when the Pingtung Academy was established in 1815, the Hsiao family actively supported its promotion through both financial and labor contributions to ensure its proper functioning. The “Ke Yu Hsuan” school next to the ancient house was a place where members of the Hsiao family took turns teaching Confucian studies to help local residents learn classical Chinese. After the restoration of Taiwan, they even donated space for the agricultural association to conduct classes, alleviating the educational burden on local children. Reflecting the luxurious life of the Hsiao family, their residence also showcases a grand and elegant style. The Hsiao family ancient house adopts Minnan architectural style, characterized by the use of red bricks, red tiles, and wood, focusing on intricate decorative details. It features exquisite wood carvings such as floral decorations in the entrance porch and lifelike wooden fish carvings, wooden dragon and tiger carvings on the walls, as well as beautifully crafted cut-and-paste motifs and tail-shaped clay sculptures on the roof. Additionally, the bamboo-window scrollwork and other designs highlight fine craftsmanship. Apart from traditional Chinese decorative styles, Western-style mural paintings on the skirt walls serve as stunning design elements. Today, the Hsiao family ancient house is recognized as an important cultural heritage site in the Chonglan area. To preserve this precious historical building and promote local community development initiatives, it has been designated as the "Ah Hou Local Cultural Museum," which houses a local historical materials center and a creative workshop, frequently hosting arts and cultural performances to gradually transform the area into a vibrant cultural community.
