Jiadong Hsiao Family Ancient House Introduction
The Xiang Family Ancestral Hall in Jiadong was built during the Qing Dynasty’s Xianfeng period. It was constructed by the 19th generation ancestor of the Xiang family who became prosperous after coming to Taiwan for business and hired craftsmen from Tangshan to replicate the grand residence style of their hometown in Meixian, Guangdong. The materials used for construction were all shipped from China. This ancestral hall adopts the Hakka circular dwelling form with a double layout, and both the overall structure and detailed carvings are quite intricate. This building not only showcases the architectural beauty of traditional Hakka grand houses but also integrates the Holo style, making it one of the rare five-section large residences in Taiwan, displaying an impressive facade. It is currently listed as a national third-tier historic site. The Xiang Family Ancestral Hall is structured in a five-entry layout. The first hall is the entrance, the second hall enshrines ancestral tablets, the third hall is dedicated to the deities of heaven, earth, and ancestors, including the god of land and the dragon king of wells and stoves. The fourth hall is Mingde Residence, and the fifth hall serves as the living quarters. The architectural feature reflects the traditional ethical view of hierarchy in Chinese culture through the height of the roof. Notably, the Biyue Building was originally planned as a study and a gathering place for literati. However, during Taiwan’s cession to Japan, the Hakka people of Liu Dui resisted Japanese rule, leading to the famous Biyue Building battle in Liu Dui's history. Bullet holes can still be seen on the walls of the Biyue Building today, telling the story of the fearless spirit of the ancestors of Liu Dui against Japanese oppression. After renovations, the Jiadong Xiang Family Ancestral Hall retains the original living spaces from its early days of rice milling, brewing, and dyeing. It has opened to the public under the "Living Historic Site Privatization" model, featuring exhibitions of local artists’ works, spaces for Hakka mountain songs, and ensembles, hoping to promote it as a cultural center for the Jiadong area. After visiting the Xiang Family Ancestral Hall, visitors can proceed to the nearby Baozhong Gate (also known as Xi'ai Gate). This gate was built by the Hakka people of Liu Dui to prevent intrusions from outsiders. It is a barrier-type gate, constructed with a structural form of a hard mountain and beams, made of red bricks, white lime, and some wood. The roof has a swallowtail shape, and there are round holes on both sides of the gate, serving as gunports for defense, representing a relic of great historical value.
