Jiadong Hsiao Family Old House Introduction
Jiadong Xiaojia Ancient House was built during the Qing Dynasty in the Xianfeng period. After the 19th generation ancestor of the Xiao family came to Taiwan to engage in business and became wealthy, he hired craftsmen from Tangshan to build the house in a design resembling the grand residences of Meixian in Guangdong, China, with materials transported from China to Taiwan. The ancient house adopts a dual-rectangle layout in the Hakka enclosure house style, and both its architecture and intricate details are quite elaborate, making this structure not only embody the architectural beauty of traditional Hakka mansions but also blend with the Hoklo style. It is one of the rare five-section large residences 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 enclosure layout. The first hall serves as the entrance foyer, the second hall is dedicated to ancestral tablets, the third hall is dedicated to deities such as Tian, Di, Jun, Qin, Shi, the God of Earth, and the Kitchen God, the fourth hall is named Mingde Hall, and the fifth hall serves as the residence. Its architectural features reflect the traditional ethical concepts of hierarchy in Chinese society, as indicated by the height of the roof ridge. Notably, the Buyue Tower was once planned as a study room and a meeting place for literati and scholars. However, during Taiwan's cession to Japan, the Hakka people of Liu Dui resisted Japanese rule, which resulted in the famous Buyue Tower battle in Liu Dui's history. To this day, bullet holes can still be seen on the walls of Buyue Tower, telling the brave spirit of the Liu Dui ancestors in their resistance against Japanese occupation. After renovation, Jiadong Xiaojia Ancient House has preserved its original living spaces from when it was involved in rice milling, brewing, and dyeing, and it is open to the public in a manner termed "active heritage privatization." The site hosts exhibitions of local artists’ works, Hakka mountain songs, and performances by traditional eight-tone orchestras, aiming to promote it as a cultural center for the Jiadong area. After visiting the Xiao family ancient house, you can proceed to the nearby Baozhong Gate (also known as Xiai Gate). This gate was constructed by the Hakka people of Liu Dui to prevent incursions by outsiders. It is a type of barrier gate and adopts a hard mountain structure. It is built with red bricks, white lime, and some wooden materials, with a ridge in a swallow-tailed shape. The sides of the gate have round holes that serve as gun ports for defense, making it a relic of significant historical value.
