The Zhang Liao family originated in current-day Guanbei, Fujian Province. The unique surname is a merger of the Zhang and Liao families when the Liao's only female successor married into the Zhang family. At the time, the families came to an agreement; future descendants of this clan would use the Liao surname when alive, but would belong to the Zhang family when dead.[1]
In the early Qing Dynasty, the Zhang Liao family moved to current day Xitun District and Daya District. In 1886, Zhang Liao members began preparing to build a family shrine. Construction of the main building lasted between 1909 and 1911, and the surrounding buildings were completed in 1916.[1]
On November 27, 1985, the Taichung City Government protected the building as a city monument.[2] The building was renovated by the government in 1994 and is planning on renovating it again in 2020.[3]
