Jin-guangfu Mansion

 Address:Geographical location : No.1, Zhongzheng Rd., Beipu Township, Hsinchu County Longitude : 121.05782183469, Latitude : 24.7007542473678
 Subject:AssetClassification : Historic Monument, AssetsLevel : National Historic Monument, Asset Type : Mansion

【Audio】


【Introduction】

Construction of Jin-guangfu Mansion started in 1835. Several government officials in Tamsui, Li Ciye, Jiang Xiuluan, and Zhou Bangzheng, set up a settler organization called "Jin-Guangfu which became a licensed settler organization." They were permitted by the government to cultivate land for the production of crops in the southeastern mountain region of Zhuqian. Jiang Xiuluan led farmers from Guandong and Fujian areas to cultivate lands and built 36 passage checkpoints with cabins known as "Daai". The Jin-guangfu Mansion served as the command post for the organization and an administration center for collecting rent from farmers. A horizontal plaque was placed on the lintel inscribed with three Chinese characters "Jin Guang Fu", where "Jin" means "good luck," "Guang" refers to the Hakka, and “Fu” means business men from Fukien who provided settlers with funds for cultivating land. This was an example that showed how people from different regions were able to work together. The building itself is a compound house with two parallel houses, angled wings and courtyards. The bases of the side buildings are made of stone slabs and pebbles; on the door planks and walls there are loop holes through which arms could be fired. These show some of the typical defense facilities employed at the time. In front of the Mansion on the left side, is a building called Tianshui Hall, which is an extended part of the historic monument. Backed by Xiuluan Mountain and built in 1832 by Jiang Xiuluan, Tianshui Hall is a traditional Hakkanese red-brick house “san-he-yuan,” or three-sided house, with a major hall, a courtyard and six cross beams.

 

【Comments】