“Road to Jiancheng” Opens, Revealing the Splendor of Century-Old City
Kaohsiung, Taiwan – The “Road to Jiancheng” in Zuoying, Kaohsiung, officially opened in March this year, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich history and beauty of the old city. The 770-kilometer road starts from the Jiancheng Pavilion in the old city, connects the existing trails of Guishan Mountain, and finally leads to the north gate. The aerial walkway, known as the chi-step, was built along the old stone city, reuniting the large and small tortoise mountains that were once separated by Shengli Road. This development has brought joy to the elders of Zuoying, who say that the spirit turtles have finally come back to life.
The “Road to Seeing the City” takes tourists on a journey through the past and present of Kaohsiung. The aerial walkway winds among the branches of old banyan trees, outlining the outline of the old city of Zuoying. It offers a gentle and easy trail for visitors to explore the geographical features of the ancient city, which holds great Feng Shui significance.
Zuoying’s old city, Tucheng, is nestled between Guishan Mountain and Snake Mountain, with Lianchi Lake in front. It was considered a geomantic treasure in the past. In 1722, after Zhu Yigui mobilized troops to fight against the Qing Dynasty in Fengshan County, Fengshan County Tucheng was built in Zuoying. This led to the gathering of officials and merchants, making Zuoying the political and economic center of Dagou.
However, in 1786, the Lin Shuangwen incident occurred, and the insurgents broke through Tucheng. Fengshan County moved to “Xiapitou Street” (now Fengshan District), which became the “New City,” while Zuoying became known as the “Old City.” The old city wall, which had fallen into disrepair, was rebuilt in 1826. This solid stone wall surrounds Guishan and extends to Lianchi Lake, making it the first stone city in Taiwan.
Guo Jiqing, chairman of the Kaohsiung Old City Cultural Association, explained that the purpose of planning the “Road to Seeing the City” is to allow people to truly see Zuoying City. By walking at the height of the city gate and keeping a certain distance from the city wall, visitors can clearly see the appearance of the old city. The trail guard wall is made of glass curtains, cleverly combining text explanations with the real scene, bringing the old city wall back to life.
During the Pacific War in the 1940s, the Japanese government forcibly relocated the residents of the old city to build the Zuoying Military Port. The “Turtle Neck” was also cut off due to the establishment of a war preparation road (now Shengli Road). After the war, the Republic of China government continued to use Zuoying as a military port, leading to the settlement of a large number of national soldiers and their families in the old city. Several dependent villages were established.
Guo Jiqing pointed out the abandoned old houses integrated with the city wall, saying that in the past, space in the old city was limited. The soldiers who settled down used local materials to create houses by hollowing out the horse trails in the old city wall and adding a roof. This unique landscape can still be seen today.
Walking along the “Road to Seeing the City,” visitors can enjoy the breathtaking view of the old city. They can cross the Shengli Road and enter the “Turtle Head,” where a viewing platform offers a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of the lotus pond. The tower tiger stands tall, the lotus in the pond blooms in pale pink, creating a magnificent postcard-like scene.
Continuing along the road, visitors will pass through the viaduct and enter a trail combined with the original natural path. The area is filled with dense green shade and vitality. Guo Jiqing pointed to the straight bamboo forest within the edge of the wall, explaining that these thorny bamboos were planted in the Qing Dynasty to resist invasion and protect the old city. The ancient city was built on the foundation of Guishan Mountain and played a crucial role in guarding the place and protecting the homeland.
The trail ends at the north gate, where settlements existed during the Qing Dynasty, offering a glimpse into life a hundred years ago. Guo Jiqing, who has studied the history of the old city for many years, is well-versed in the stories inside and outside the city wall. He accompanies visitors, recounting the precious moments of Zuoying Old City over the past 300 years.
The opening of the “Jiancheng Road” is the first chapter of the “Jiancheng Project” to connect the old city. In the future, the road will be extended to the east gate and the south gate, fully presenting the splendor of the old city.
For those visiting Zuoying Lianchi Lake, taking a walk along the “Road to Seeing the City” is highly recommended. Visitors can explore the north gate city wall, the east gate moat, and the west gate ruins park. The east gate of Zuoying Old City, which is 500 meters long outside the city wall, will also see the moat resume water flow in 2020, recreating the unique historical scene of Kaohsiung.
If you’re interested in visiting, the “Road to Seeing the City” is located at Haiguang Parking Lot, Shengli Road, Zuoying District, and is open all day. For more information, you can visit the official website of the project.
This article is reproduced from “Kaohsiung Pictorial” and the original text can be found at the provided link.
What is the significance of the “Road to Jiancheng” in Zuoying, Kaohsiung, in showcasing the heritage of the century-old city?
Kaohsiung, Taiwan – The historic “Road to Jiancheng” in Zuoying, Kaohsiung, has recently opened, showcasing the beauty and heritage of the century-old city. This 770-kilometer road, which starts from the Jiancheng Pavilion in the old city, connects with the existing Guishan Mountain trails and leads to the north gate. An aerial walkway, known as the chi-step, was constructed along the old stone city, bringing together the once-divided large and small tortoise mountains separated by Shengli Road. This development has brought joy to the residents of Zuoying, as they feel the spirit of their beloved turtles has finally returned.
The “Road to Seeing the City” takes tourists on a journey through the past and present of Kaohsiung. The aerial walkway winds its way through the branches of ancient banyan trees, outlining the contours of the old city of Zuoying. It provides a gentle and accessible trail for visitors to explore the geographical features of the ancient city, which hold great Feng Shui significance.
Zuoying’s old city, Tucheng, is nestled between Guishan Mountain and Snake Mountain, with Lianchi Lake in the front. It was considered a geomantic treasure in the past. In 1722, after Zhu Yigui mobilized troops to fight against the Qing Dynasty in Fengshan County, Fengshan County Tucheng was built in Zuoying. This led to the convergence of officials and merchants, making Zuoying the political and economic center of Dagou.
However, in 1786, the Lin Shuangwen incident occurred, and the rebels breached Tucheng. Fengshan County moved to “Xiapitou Street” (now Fengshan District), becoming the “New City,” while Zuoying became known as the “Old City.” The old city wall, which had fallen into disrepair, was rebuilt in 1826. This sturdy stone wall surrounds Guishan and extends to Lianchi Lake, making it the first stone city in Taiwan.
Guo Jiqing, chairman of the Kaohsiung Old City Cultural Association, explained that the “Road to Seeing the City” was designed to provide people with a true glimpse of Zuoying City. By walking at the height of the city gate and maintaining a certain distance from the city wall, visitors can clearly see the appearance of the old city. The trail guard wall is made of transparent curtains, cleverly combining written explanations with the real scene, bringing the old city wall back to life.
During the Pacific War in the 1940s, the Japanese government forcibly relocated the residents of the old city to build the Zuoying Military Port. The “Turtle Neck” was also severed due to the construction of a war preparation road (now Shengli Road). After the war, the Republic of China government continued to use Zuoying as a military port, resulting in the settlement of numerous national soldiers and their families in the old city. Several dependent villages were established.
Guo Jiqing pointed out the abandoned old houses integrated into the city wall, stating that in the past, space in the old city was limited. The settled soldiers used local materials to create homes by hollowing out parts of the old city wall and adding roofs. This unique landscape can still be appreciated today.
Strolling along the “Road to Seeing the City,” visitors can revel in the breathtaking views of the old city. They can cross Shengli Road and enter the “Turtle Head,” where a viewing platform offers a panoramic display of the stunning scenery of the lotus pond. The towering tiger stands guard, and the lotus flowers in the pond bloom in a delicate shade of pink, creating a magnificent postcard-worthy sight.
