Xinpu Chen Family Ancestral Shrine

Ren Hua-gong, the 18th-generation ancestor of the Chen Family Ancestral Shrine, traveled across the Taiwan Strait in the 45th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign (1780) from his ancestral home in Baimaping, Jiaoling County, Guangdong. He brought his three sons, Chao Gui-gong, Chao Zan-gong, and Chao Xue-gong, and established their foundation in Nankan, Taoyuan. Chao Xue-gong later moved to Wufenling, Xinpu, during the Daoguang era. He had two sons; his second son, Chang Wang-gong, was honorably granted the title of 'Gongsheng' (tribute student) in the 'Xuwu' year of Emperor Xianfeng's reign (1858), and subsequently changed his official name to Chao Gang, with the courtesy name Zuo Qing. In the second year of Emperor Tongzhi's reign (1863), he was honorably bestowed a 'Huá Líng' (peacock feather plume) for his military achievements and appointed as a sub-prefectural official with the title of 'Tongzhi' (Assistant Prefect), accumulating both wealth and prestige. In the seventh year of Emperor Tongzhi's reign (1868), he initiated the construction of the Chen Family Ancestral Shrine to enshrine the ancestors of the Chen clan. In the 21st year of Emperor Guangxu's reign (1895), it was completely destroyed by war. It was rebuilt in the 24th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign (1898), and land was purchased. The income from this land was designated as permanent funds for ancestral worship for future generations. It was registered as public ancestral properties including 'Chen Family Ancestral Shrine,' 'Chen Zongci' (Chen Clan Ancestral Hall), 'Chen Binfeng,' 'Yilong Chang,' 'Huarong Chang,' and 'Jisi Gongye Yidu' (a public ancestral worship trust for a ferry). Over the years, managers have been elected from the descendants of Chao Xue-gong.