Hsiayun Mountain Villa Introduction
Xiaoyun Mountain Villa was built in the fifth year of the Tongzhi era (1866) by Lu Bingnan to support Lady Zhang, with significant investment in its construction. At the time of its completion, Lu Bingnan's reputation was at its peak. He had three sons: Ruyu, Ruxiu, and Rucheng, all of whom were scholars. The examination candidate Wu Ziguan praised them as "Three Phoenixes of Haidong." During the Japanese colonial period, Xiaoyun Mountain Villa produced two poets, Lu Hou'an and Lu Yunbai, who were members of the Wufeng Li Society. At a time when Taiwan was under Japanese rule, they tirelessly advocated for poetic education and promoted Han Chinese history and culture. Xiaoyun Mountain Villa, established during the Qing dynasty, features a two-section single dragon guardian structure, functioning as a siheyuan (four-sided courtyard) oriented north to south. The entrance hall and gate tower have defensive gun holes. The front and back sections, as well as the gate tower, are decorated with Jiaozhi pottery, mud sculptures, brick carvings, cut-and-paste art, and paintings. The second and third dragon guardians of the Duting Hall are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the main building. The Xiaoyun Pavilion and Reception Pavilion extend from the left side of the Duting Hall, creating a scholarly and leisurely world for literati. Within Xiaoyun Mountain Villa, there is a rich waterway system and complete defensive facilities. The overall architecture spans three periods: the Qing dynasty, the Japanese colonial period, and the Republic of China. The building cleverly combines characteristics of different cultural styles, making it historically and culturally valuable as it reflects the evolution of history and is a rare example of Taiwanese residential development. Opening hours: Open for appointments every Sunday. Please click the reservation link to make an appointment. Source of images and text: Taichung City Government Cultural Assets Office.
