Beipu Jiang Family Ancestral Temple

The development of the Beipu area began around the 14th year of the Daoguang reign (1834). At that time, Li Siye, the Tongzhi (magistrate) of Tamsui, funded Jiang Xiuluan, the head of Jiouyonglin Village, to establish fifteen blockhouses and hired guards to strengthen defenses along the mountainous areas. The following year, he further ordered Zhou Bangzheng, the head of Zhujian City's West Gate, and Jiang Xiuluan to form the Jin Guang Fu Kanhau (Jin Guang Fu Land Reclamation Company), responsible for land reclamation. Jiang and Zhou collaborated in the reclamation work, which gradually progressed and laid the foundation for the development of the Da'ai area (including Beipu, Emei, and Baoshan townships). The Jin Guang Fu Kanhau was an organization formed by a joint venture of Fujianese and Cantonese landowners and merchants, serving both to defend against aboriginal groups and to reclaim land. Due to the numerous difficulties and immense capital required for frontier reclamation, many Fujianese shareholders withdrew, resulting in the majority of Jin Guang Fu's land reclamation business falling under the ownership of the Jiang family. The Jiang family thus became the largest family in Beipu, holding a significant position in the development of Hsinchu County. Although the Jiang family was a prominent clan in Beipu, they did not establish a common ancestral hall, only forming organizations such as the Shiliang Gongchang. It was not until the 10th year of the Taishō era (1921) during Japanese rule that Jiang Ruichang, Jiang Zhenxiang, and others advocated for the construction of a family temple, raising funds and inviting renowned craftsmen to build it. The family temple was completed in the 13th year of the Taishō era (1924).