Wufeng Lin Family Gongbaodi Park

The Wufeng Lin Family is one of Taiwan's five great families, named for its origins in Wufeng (formerly known as Azhaowu, now Wufeng District, Taichung City, Taiwan). Since the mid-19th century, the Lin family gained control over thousands of well-trained soldiers, vast tracts of land in central Taiwan, and rights such as the camphor monopoly, due to their assistance in quelling the Taiping Rebellion and Dai Chaochun Incident, and their participation in the Sino-French War. This led them to become one of the most influential families in Taiwanese society from the Qing Dynasty onwards. During the Japanese colonial period, the Wufeng Lin Family, along with the Keelung Yan Family, Banqiao Lin Family, Lukang Koo Family, and Kaohsiung Chen Family, were listed as the 'Five Great Families of Taiwan'. The National Historic Site – Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden refers to the collective name for the gardens and residential buildings of the Wufeng Lin Family located in the Azhaowu area. The scope of the Wufeng Lin Family architectural complex includes three main parts: the Xiaocuo (Lower House) complex, the Dingcuo (Upper House) complex, and Laiyuan Garden. The open area of the Wufeng Lin Family Gongbaodi Park encompasses three architectural clusters belonging to the Xiaocuo (Lower House): Gongbaodi, Dahua Hall, and Caocuo. The 'Gongbaodi' (Palace Guard's Residence) is one of the Xiaocuo architectural clusters of the Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden. It was first built by Lin Wen-cha (1828-1864) in the 8th year of the Xianfeng reign (1858), consisting of the existing third hall and inner and outer side wings. It was named 'Gongbaodi' after he led Taiwanese soldiers to Zhangzhou to attack the Taiping Rebellion and died in battle at Wansong Pass, subsequently being posthumously honored with the title of 'Grand Guardian of the Crown Prince' in the 3rd year of the Tongzhi reign (1864). The overall architectural space is symmetrical, featuring a five-courtyard, eleven-bay layout. The first and second main halls were added by Lin Zhao-dong between the 9th year of the Tongzhi reign (1870) and the 9th year of the Guangxu reign (1883). The fourth and fifth halls were subsequently added and completed before the cession of Taiwan in the Jiawu year (1895), the 21st year of the Guangxu reign. 'Gongbaodi' is the only surviving Qing Dynasty residence of a first-rank official in Taiwan. The 'Dahua Hall' (Grand Flower Hall) is another architectural cluster within the Xiaocuo of the Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden. It features a three-courtyard, five-bay layout with a Fuzhou-style stage and a distinctive rolled-eave roof, unique in Taiwan. It was named 'Dahua Hall' because its octagonal caisson ceiling is adorned with carvings of the 'King of Flowers' – peonies – in full bloom at the central mirror position, symbolizing prosperity and wealth with their full and opulent forms. Construction began in the 16th year of the Guangxu reign (1890) and was completed in the 20th year (1894). It was built by Lin Zhao-dong when he served as the Director of the Frontier Development Bureau, to meet the needs for military conferences and public banquets. It also served as the Lin family's space for entertaining guests and watching opera, complete with its own dedicated opera troupe, much like a modern 'reception hall' or 'private opera house'. It symbolizes the Wufeng Lin Family's period of prosperity. The 'Caocuo' (Thatched House) is another architectural cluster within the Xiaocuo of the Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden, and is considered the Wufeng Lin Family's ancestral home. The Caocuo consists of a main building and side wings forming a traditional three-sided courtyard thatched house, complete with a granary and a gatehouse, surrounded by a large garden space. Construction began around the 17th year of the Daoguang reign (1837), making it an important early living space for the Wufeng Lin Family. It symbolizes the Lin family's pioneering spirit and humble beginnings. Since parts of it were damaged as early as the Japanese colonial period, the restoration method was determined only after multiple investigations, comparative studies of old photographs, and computer simulations to restore the relevant positions. The restoration will be based on a 1930 photograph, using original techniques and materials. The main building, originally used as the 'ancestral hall,' had a thatched roof installed during its 2020 restoration to serve as a historical testament to the ancestral home. This particular construction method is also rare in current historical site restorations, further highlighting the craftsmanship of the artisans and the preservation of cultural heritage.