Jiadong Xiao Family Ancient House Introduction
Jiadong Hsiao Family Ancestral Hall was built during the Qing Dynasty's Xianfeng period by the 19th generation ancestor of the Hsiao family, who became wealthy after coming to Taiwan for trade. They hired craftsmen from Tangshan to replicate the mansion layout from their hometown in Meixian, Guangdong, with building materials transported from China. The ancestral hall employs a double "回" (hui) shaped structure typical of Hakka walled residences, showcasing refined details in both layout and carvings. This architecture not only embodies the aesthetic beauty of traditional Hakka mansions but also merges with Han Chinese styles, making it one of the rare five-room large halls in Taiwan, displaying a grandiose facade. It has now been designated as a national historic site of Grade III. The Hsiao Family Ancestral Hall features a five-entrance walled residence layout. The first hall serves as an entrance hall, the second hall is dedicated to ancestral tablets, the third hall worships the deities of heaven, earth, the emperor, parents, teachers, as well as the Earth God and the Kitchen God, the fourth hall is Mingde Hall, and the fifth hall serves as the living quarters. One of its architectural characteristics is the height of the roof ridge, reflecting traditional Chinese ethical principles of hierarchy. Notably, the Buyue Building, which was once planned as a study and a gathering place for scholars and literati, witnessed the famous Buyue Building battle during the period when Taiwan was ceded to Japan, as the Hakka community in the Liu Dui area resisted Japanese rule. Bullet holes can still be seen on the walls of the Buyue Building, telling the story of the courage of the Liu Dui ancestors in their fight against Japan. After renovation, the Jiadong Hsiao Family Ancestral Hall retains the original lifestyle spaces used for rice milling, brewing, and cloth dyeing, and is now open to the public in a model of "living historic site privatization." Local artisans are invited to exhibit their works, and performances of Hakka mountain songs and traditional band music are arranged, aiming to promote it as a cultural hub for the Jiadong area. After visiting the Hsiao Family Ancestral Hall, you can head to the nearby Baozhong Gate (also known as Xiai Gate), which was constructed by the Hakka people of Liu Dui to avoid disturbances from outsiders. This type of gate is a barricade-style gate built with a hard roof and a wooden structure, made from a mix of red bricks, white lime, and some wood. The roof is designed in a swallowtail style, and the sides of the gate feature circular holes that serve as gun ports for defense, making it a site of significant historical value.
