Jiadong Hsiao's Ancient House Introduction
Jiadong Xiao Family Ancient House was built during the Qing Dynasty's Xianfeng period. After the 19th ancestor of the Xiao family came to Taiwan and became wealthy through trade, they hired craftsmen from Tangshan to imitate the layout of large residences from their hometown in Meixian, Guangdong. The building materials were all transported from China to Taiwan. The ancient house adopts a double return-style Hakka walled residence design, which is meticulous in both layout and detailed carvings, making this building not only full of the architectural beauty of traditional Hakka mansions but also integrates Holo (Hokkien) style. It is one of the few five-lot mansions in Taiwan, showcasing a grand appearance, and has been designated as a National Third-Level Historic Site. The Xiao Family Ancient House features a five-courtyard layout. The first hall serves as the entrance hall, the second hall houses ancestor tablets, the third hall worships deities including the Earth God and the Kitchen God, the fourth hall is Mingde Residence, and the fifth hall is for living quarters. Notably, the height of the roof reflects traditional Chinese ethical hierarchy. It is worth mentioning that Biyue Tower was once planned as a study and a gathering place for literati and scholars. However, during Taiwan's cession to Japan, the Hakka people from the Six Piles (Liudui) resisted Japanese rule, leading to the famous Biyue Tower Battle in the history of the Six Piles. Bullet holes can still be seen on the walls of Biyue Tower, telling the story of the ancestors’ bravery against Japanese occupation. The Jiadong Xiao Family Ancient House has been renovated to preserve the original appearance of the living space when it served rice milling, brewing, and dyeing. It is open to the public under the concept of "Living Heritage Privatization," with exhibitions of local artists' works, and spaces for Hakka mountain songs and Eight Sound Troupe performances, aiming to promote it as a cultural hall for the Jiadong area. After visiting the Xiao Family Ancient House, you can head to the nearby Baozhong Gate (also known as Xiai Gate). This gate was constructed by the Hakka people of the Six Piles to prevent outside disturbances. It is a barrier-type gate with a hard mountain beam structure, built with red bricks, white lime, and a small amount of wood. The roof features a swallowtail design, and circular holes on either side of the gate are gun ports for defense, making it a significant historical relic.
