Fenghao House

Fenghao House

Located in Xikou Town, Fenghua City, it was the former residence of Chiang Kai-shek. Covering an area of 4,800 square meters with a built-up area of 1,850 square meters, the building complex follows a traditional layout of front hall and rear chamber, with two side wings and four main halls. The structure features connected pavilions and corridors, surrounding verandas, black pillars against vermilion walls, all combining to create a magnificent and splendid appearance. There are also three gardens in front of the main hall and on both sides. The halls, corridors, and surrounding areas are adorned with carvings and colored paintings. The BaoBen Hall houses a couplet handwritten by Chiang Kai-shek and calligraphed by the renowned artist Sha Menghai, which reads: “To honor one’s roots and respect one’s parents is the essential moral path” and “To bring glory to ancestors and prosperity to descendants is the hope of filial sons and obedient grandsons,” as well as a plaque inscribed with “Reason Inhabits, Spirit Commands.” These were erected to celebrate the 40th birthday of his son, Chiang Ching-kuo.

“Hao” refers to Haojing, the capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty, located northwest of present-day Chang’an in Shaanxi Province. The name was chosen in reference to King Wen of Zhou founding Feng and King Wu of Zhou founding Hao. It was a traditional custom among the people of Xikou in the old days to give their ancestral homes refined and classical names.

Chiang Kai-shek’s paternal uncles had three houses, respectively named Xia House, Shang House, and Zhou House. Since Chiang’s father was the third brother, his house was called Zhou House. One year after Chiang’s father passed away, the brothers divided the family property. After discussions among the elders, it was decided that each brother would name his own house. Drawing from the “Zhou House” of the previous generation and considering that Chiang Kai-shek belonged to the “Zhou” generation in the clan genealogy (with the genealogical name “Zhou Tai”), they associated the name with the capitals of the two Western Zhou emperors—Feng and Hao. They took the first character of each to form the new name, and the house allotted to Chiang Kai-shek was thus named “Fenghao House.” The character “Feng” represented Chiang Kai-shek’s branch of the family, while “Hao” represented the branch of his deceased younger brother, Chiang Ruiqing. Since Ruiqing died young, Chiang Kai-shek inherited his lineage as well, hence the name Fenghao House.

Previously, some people claimed that Chiang Kai-shek harbored imperial ambitions early on. In truth, when Fenghao House was named, Chiang was only ten years old in age, and the interpretation was merely a case of reading too much into the name.

Fenghao House is located in Xikou Town, Fenghua City, and was the former residence of Chiang Kai-shek. Covering an area of 4,800 square meters with a built-up area of 1,850 square meters, the building complex follows a traditional layout of front hall and rear chamber, with two side wings and four main halls. The structure features connected pavilions and corridors, surrounding verandas, black pillars against vermilion walls, all combining to create a magnificent and splendid appearance. There are also three gardens in front of the main hall and on both sides.

The halls, corridors, and surrounding areas are adorned with carvings and colored paintings. The BaoBen Hall houses a couplet handwritten by Chiang Kai-shek that reads: “To honor one’s roots and respect one’s parents is the essential moral path” and “To bring glory to ancestors and prosperity to descendants is the hope of filial sons and obedient grandsons,” as well as a plaque inscribed with “Reason Inhabits, Spirit Commands.” These were privately erected to celebrate the 40th birthday of his son, Chiang Ching-kuo.

Xikou Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Fenghua City. Established as Xikou Township in 1950, upgraded to a town in 1956, converted to a commune in 1958, re-established as a town in 1980, and merged with Jifengshan, Dongcun, and Dong’ao townships in 1992. It is located 13 kilometers northwest of the municipal government. The town covers an area of 134 square kilometers and has a population of 43,000. The Jiangba Highway passes through it. It governs Xikou First Village, Xikou Second Village, Xikou Third Village, Lichun, Wai Village, Rushanting, Yuxi, Shangbai, Wulin, Hushan, Shadi, Shangshan, Xinjian, Dong’ao, Wangga’ao, Chenjia, Shuimentou, Zhizhao, Xizao, Thirty-Six Bends, Zhongfeng, Lantian, Dongjiang, … For more detailed information about Xikou Town ++