To revitalize the precious historical ancestral shrines in Xinpu, Council for Hakka Affairs and the local government instituted “Xinpu Ancestral Shrine Museum”. Different with typical museums that people have seen before, it shows 9 ancestral shrines and monuments which were located in the area of 3 ancient streets/6 lanes, so people have to talk into the center of Xinpu township, to enjoy the process of treasure hunting, to feel the atmosphere of Hakka tradition. This is a museum with no walls, and welcome everybody to visit this innovative exhibition.
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1.Dormitory of Xinpu Elementary School's principalLocated next to Xinpu Elementary School, it is the only Japanese-style dormitory in Xinpu Town. It was originally built by the Japanese government in 1902 and was provided to the principal of Xinpu National Primary School.
After Taiwan Recovery, the dormitory was inhabited by President Lu Renxiang. He moved out in 2000 and the building was later renovated and revitalized. It is now used as a Guide Office for the Xinpu Hakka Ancestral Hall Museum.
The building is in the form of a raised floor, and the exterior wall is made of wood panels. The wood panels, together with the natural bamboo, add a touch of elegance to the building. The model display of Xinpu Town Street and the introduction of Xinpu history inside the Guide Office help visitors understand the culture of Xinpu.
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2.The Chen Family Ancestral ShrineHistoryThe Chen Family Ancestral Shrine was built in 7th year of Emperor Tongzhi era to pay respect to Chen Family’s ancestors. The building was destroyed by war in the 21st year of Emperor Guangxu era and rebuilt three years later.
Architecture FeaturesThe shrine scale is two halls, two horizontal sides, and five bays wide. The three bays are positioned in the center with open gallery. The courtyard has horizontal buildings with the width of three bays on the sides. The courtyard has stone paving and exquisite money-shaped bricks on the left and right walls. The waterwheel is covered with delicate clay sculptures. The Chen Family Shrine is also featured with unique and valuable wood carving, stone carving, painting and other art works. As time goes by, the shrine still retains its elegancy with an ancient touch.
The shrine is located in the heart of Zhongzheng Road and is the only one on the road. It has wide plaza space accompanied by greenery sights around. It is already regarded as an important landmark in the eyes of local people. |
3.The Lin Family ShrineFor over 100 years, the ancient ancestral shrines and houses has stood quietly in Xinpu township, telling us not only the history of many families, but the glory time that Xinpu once had!
HistoryThe shrine was funded in 1913 (2nd year of Emperor Taisho era) and completed in 1917 (6th year of Emperor Taisho era). It is the newest family shrine in Xinpu township. The reason is the Lin Family had a public hall in the town, unlike other families started building their family ancestral shrines in the late Qing Dynasty. The construction of the Lin Family Shrine was initiated by Lin Kong-Zhao. He called on the Lin family of Banqiao in New Taipei City and the Lin family of Wufeng in Taichung to make donation to fund the construction.
Architecture FeaturesThe shrine is constructed with one main hall and two horizontal buildings. It is five bays wide with spacious walkway gallery. The main hall building is tall and magnificent. The outer wall is made of bucket bricks and the swallow tail rooftop has beautiful curvature. It is considered a masterpiece in Hsinchu County
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4.The Fan Family ShrineHistoryThe Fan Family Shrine is commonly known as Fan Ancestral Shrine. It was funded by Fan Family in the 8th year of Xianfeng Emperor in the Qing Dynasty (1858). It was completed in the 10th year of Xianfeng era (1860), the earliest ancestral shrine established in Xinpu.
Fan's Family Temple commemorates Fan Zhongyan and all Fan ancestor’s tablets. It is currently managed by offspring. The Temple holds Spring and Autumn ritual on yearly basis. The temple is located in a quiet environment with farm in front and mountain in the back. Unfortunately, the temple has been surrounded by new property development around it. Architecture FeaturesThe Fan's Family Temple is the earliest constructed ancestral shrine in Xinpu. The temple is a horizontal shaped building with five bays width. The three bays in the middle are retreated to create a spacious gallery. It has five stairs height difference from courtyard to the entrance, giving the building a more dominant and splendid look.
The gallery in the center has simple style with the main gate positioned in middle. The gate has three double doors with “Fan’s Family Shrine” tablet hanging on top to show the identity of the shrine. The main hall is the size of a single room with brick walls on the sides, it is the space for sacrificing ancestors. The ancestor - Fan Zhongyan had great academic achievements in the Song Dynasty, hoping the descendants will also excel in life. |
5.Pan Family HouseHistoryThe Pan Family House was built in the 20th year of Emperor Jiaqing era in Qing Dynasty (1815). It was founded on the north side of Fengshan River valley. The house used soil bricks as primary building materials. In 11th year of Emperor Xianfeng era (1861), the Pan descendants remodeled the original house and used large amount of materials with strong defensive functions such as red bricks and granites, reflecting the social security and economic conditions at that time.
Architecture FeaturesXinpu Pan Family House structure is one main hall with four horizontal buildings. There is a fence between the main body and the horizontal building. The outer horizontal buildings have one more room than the inner buildings. Another fence is added around the outer houses, creating both internal and external courtyards. The shape of the whole structure is similar to a crab. The unique features are that the roof is painted blue with no coattails on top, symbolize the crab nest with life in endless succession.
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6.The Chu Family Ancestral ShrineHistoryThe Chu Family’s clan name is Pei Guo Tang. The shrine was originally a house owned by Chu descendants who moved to Xinpu. Later the Chu family members considered the house had excellent feng shui and decided to make the house to Chu Family Ancestral Shrine. The ancestral day is on the 25th of October every year. In 2009 the shrine was registered as a historic building in Hsinchu County.
Architecture FeaturesThe Chu Family Ancestral Shrine faces south with Fengshan River alluvial plain in front, overlooking the Li Tou Shan. The building model is one hall with two horizontal buildings with a courtyard in-between. The main building has five-bays layout. The frame is in simple shawl form instead of stacking form. The overall frame structure is very simple and straightforward. The top is covered by Chinese gabled roof with small ridges on the sides. The head frame has plum blossom design. The wall of courtyard is made with red bricks with two flower windows on both sides. The courtyard gate pillars are made with washed granolithic finish, displaying a simple style.
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7.Liu Ancestral TempleHistoryThe Temple was jointly funded by all members with surnamed Liu and shared the same ancestor in the Xinpu area. It was constructed during the Qing Dynasty, in the third year of Emperor Tongzhi’s ruling (1864). The construction was completed in April of the sixth year of Tongzhi (1867).
The first Liu family can be traced back to the first year of Qianlong Era. They moved across the sea to Taiwan and started their business. The Liu Ancestral Temple was built to honor the common primogenitor of Liu Family – Liu Rong and the past ancestors. This was a typical form of immigrant society formed and united in the name of ancestor through the connection of the same surname and same origin. It reflects the purpose of survival and defense for Hakka immigrants in the early stage of migration. Architectural FeaturesLiu Ancestral Temple is designed with a single entrance, three horizontal beams and one courtyard. This architectural design is called ”horizontal house”, also known as the left and right guardian. The "horizontal house" in Hakka architecture is known as the dragon guard. The roof is comprised of both ridges and horseback style architect, which is a rare practice in Taiwan.
The ancestral hall located in the center of the Temple is the core of the building, and it is also the primary area to perform rituals. The worshipping rituals are held in spring and autumn annually. The Temple is also known for many tablets hanging in the building. The tablets of “Liu’s Ancestral Temple”, “Top Scholar” and “En Yuan” hanging on the doorhead of the main hall. Therefore, Liu's Family Temple has a reputation of “more plaques, more swallowtails, more fame.” |
8.Former residence of Wu Zhuoliu In the Da Maopu area of Xinpu, located the former residence of the writer Wu Zhuoliu. Under the blue sky and among the green rice fields, the red bricks and the fine swallowtail of the eaves of the traditional courtyard building are dazzling and beautiful!
The Zhide Hall is Wu Zhuoliu’s ancestral hall, which was established in 1840. Wu’s ancestors lived here when they came to Taiwan from the Chinese mainland. The building is a house with a hall in the center and three rows of rooms parallel to each other on the sides. In 2009, it was registered as a historical building. Due to serious damage, the Hsinchu County Government spent 35 million dollars to repair it. This museum is literary-themed and connected to the Hakka Ancestral Museums. Being a museum of life and open to the public, it is also a good place for leisure. |
9.The Zhang Family ShrineHistoryThe Zhang Family Shrine was built in 1968 (7th year of Emperor Tongzhi era). It was burnt down by the Japanese army in 1895 (21st year of Emperor Guangxu era) and rebuilt in 1907 (7th year of Emperor Meiji era). The structure design was changed to one hall with two horizontal buildings. It is listed as a county-level monument in Hsinchu County.
Architecture FeaturesThe building is a typical ancestral shrine. The shrine was magnificent at the time. It has double swallowtail rooftop and the center part of horizontal house. The design is beautiful and distinctive. The main building is 5 bays wide. The main entrance is designed to have three gates and six doors. The shrine is both elegant and solemn and it is the best evident of the local development process.
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