Jiadong Hsiao Family Ancient House Introduction
Jiayi Xiao Family Ancestral House was built during the Qing Dynasty's Xianfeng period. It was constructed by the 19th generation ancestor of the Xiao family, who became wealthy through commerce after moving to Taiwan. They hired craftsmen from Tangshan to replicate the layout of large houses from their hometown in Meixian, Guangdong, using building materials transported from China. This old residence employs a double-hui style of Hakka walled house architecture, with meticulous attention to layout and details, making it an outstanding example of traditional Hakka architecture that also incorporates Holo-style elements. It is one of the few large residences in Taiwan with five sections and showcases an impressive exterior, currently listed as a national third-class historic site. The Xiao family ancestral house features a five-section walled house layout. The first hall serves as the entrance hall, the second hall enshrines ancestral tablets, the third hall is dedicated to the worship of deities and ancestors including the Earth God and the Kitchen God, the fourth hall is Mingde Hall, and the fifth hall is the living quarters. The architectural feature of this house reflects traditional Chinese concepts of hierarchy through the height of the roof ridge. Notably, Biyue Tower, which was originally intended as a study and a gathering place for literati, became the site of the famous Biyue Tower Battle during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan. The Hakka people of Liudui resisted Japanese rule; today, bullet holes can still be seen on the walls of Biyue Tower, telling the story of the ancestors' bravery against Japanese invasion. After renovation, the Jiayi Xiao Family Ancestral House retains the original living spaces related to rice milling, brewing, and dyeing, and is open to the public as a "living historic site" that hosts exhibitions of local artisans' works, Hakka mountain songs, and performances by traditional music groups. It aims to promote cultural activities in the Jiayi area. After visiting the Xiao Family Ancestral House, you can head to the nearby Baozhong Gate (also known as Xiai Gate), built by the Hakka people of Liudui to prevent external disturbances. This is a barricade-style gate with a hard mountain structure, constructed using a mix of red bricks, white lime, and some wooden materials. The roof features a swallow-tail design, with round holes on both sides of the gate, serving as gun ports for defense, making it a relic of significant historical value.
