Jiang A-xin Western Mansion is a Baroque-style mansion in Beipu Township, Hsinchu County, built by tea merchant Jiang A-xin from 1946 to 1949 and designated a Hsinchu County historic site in 2006; it gained wide fame after the 2021 PTS drama Cha-chin (Gold Leaf) filmed here.
The mansion was built starting in 1946 and completed in 1949 — a three-year construction — and was designated a Hsinchu County historic site in July 2006. The PTS drama Cha-chin (Gold Leaf), Taiwan's first Hoiluk-Hakka-dialect TV series, premiered on November 13, 2021 with 12 episodes; the mansion served as one of the main filming locations for the tea magnate character 'Jiaksang.'
What to see at the Jiang A-xin Western Mansion
The mansion's exterior is built in red brick; the front facade features Baroque gables, pilasters, and floral ornamentation blended with a Hokkien sanheyuan (three-sided courtyard) layout, reflecting how post-WWII local Taiwanese gentry absorbed and interpreted Western architecture. The building is well preserved; the interior is now used primarily for exhibitions and cultural activities, with some spaces recreating past domestic settings based on historical photographs.
The Jiang family dominated the Beipu tea industry in the early 20th century, exporting Oriental Beauty Tea (Peng Feng Tea) to the British market. The mansion stands as a tangible symbol of the family's wealth. The drama Cha-chin (Gold Leaf) uses it as a backdrop to recreate the rise and fall of Taiwan's tea industry in the 1950s. Viewing the building alongside the drama deepens understanding of Taiwan's tea history.
Tips for making the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there and timing
- By car from Zhudong toward Beipu Township — about 20 minutes. Parking is available near Beipu Old Street.
- Opening hours and visit arrangements (whether booking is required) are subject to the latest announcements from the Jiang A-xin Western Mansion management or Beipu Township Office to avoid a wasted trip.
Nearby connections
- Beipu Old Street's Citian Temple and Jinguangfu Gonguan are within walking distance — plan a half-day Hakka heritage route.
- Extend to Emei Lake or Beipu Cold Spring for natural scenery.
Source: Text compiled from the Wikipedia article on Jiang A-xin Western Mansion and publicly available cultural heritage information. Please refer to the latest announcements from the county historic site management for visit information. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Jiang A-xin Western Mansion built?
Construction began in 1946 and finished in 1949 — three years — and it was designated a Hsinchu County historic site in July 2006.
When did Cha-chin (Gold Leaf) air, and what role does the mansion play in it?
It premiered on PTS on November 13, 2021 with 12 episodes; the mansion served as the main filming location for tea magnate 'Jiaksang's' residence.
Who was Jiang A-xin?
Jiang A-xin was a leading Beipu tea merchant in the mid-20th century who drove exports of Oriental Beauty Tea, and the mansion stands as a tangible symbol of his tea fortune.
What are the architectural features of the mansion?
It blends Baroque facade decoration with a Hokkien sanheyuan courtyard layout, red-brick walls paired with semicircular arches and bay windows in a Western classical vocabulary.
Sources
- 北埔姜阿新洋樓｜國家文化資產網 — 文化部文化資產局官方登錄資料，古蹟公告年份
- 茶金｜維基百科 — 戲劇首播日期、集數等條目資料