Daxi Zhongzheng Park Introduction
The children's playground at Daxi Zhongzheng Park is scheduled for completion by the end of June 2025. >> For more details, take a stroll through Daxi Zhongzheng Park and enjoy the charm of a bygone era. In 1909, Daxi was an important hub for the Japanese colonial administration, leading to the urban planning based on the "standard city" concept, which gave birth to Daxi's first park – Dajia Park. The park, shaped like Taiwan, embodies the national belief that was unwilling to be lost amid the movement of assimilation. In 1975, the park was renamed "Zhongzheng Park" to commemorate Chiang Kai-shek's contributions during his time in Taiwan. The park features four main squares, with the Sailboat Square, located in the "First in Taiwan" zone, offering a high vantage point to admire the magnificent view of Daxi Bridge crossing the Dahan River. Due to the local woodcraft culture being closely tied to everyday life, the top is a common wooden toy; the Top Square symbolizes the top as one of Daxi's important cultural products. The Statue Square highlights the majestic equestrian figure of Chiang Kai-shek, embodying the spirit of the Northern Expedition and the Anti-Japanese movement. In the center of the park, the Daxi Sumo Arena stands a Tang Dynasty gazebo built from original wood. The rustic style is designed by local carpenters, with the solid cypress wood beams and columns showcasing craftsmanship without any steel nails; the streamlined roof is covered with layers of black copper tiles, evoking nostalgia and the fragrance of cypress, conjuring images of past sumo matches. The first shrine established in Taoyuan – Daxi Shrine – is hidden within Zhongzheng Park, and without the aid of the five stone lanterns leading the way along the newly constructed pilgrimage path by the district office, it can easily be overlooked. The shrine originally had a worship hall and main hall, both of which were demolished after the end of the war, leaving only the foundation, which was rebuilt into "Chao Ran Pavilion." The stone benches and tables within the park are remnants of the shrine, featuring faded inscriptions of words like "Showa" and "Dedicated." In 1975, an additional layer named "Hanguang Building" was built, allowing views of the beautiful Kan-Jin. The "Fuxing Pavilion" in the park is another remnant from the Japanese occupation era. In 1930, many Japanese military and police officers lost their lives while suppressing the Tayan people, prompting Hsinchu State to erect a "Loyalty Monument" with a main pillar and base, which was later removed and rebuilt into a Chinese-style pavilion on the foundation. Daxi Zhongzheng Park boasts a rich natural landscape, featuring an ecological pond with Taiwan duckweed and wild ginger flowers, as well as tree species such as camphor trees, banyan trees, rosewood, sweet gum, jackfruit, black pine, osmanthus, and pond cypress, making it a resting place filled with historical and cultural beauty, where one can casually pick up a piece of tranquil time, each with its own story. For those wanting to experience a different perspective of the old Daxi downtown, taking the 16-meter-high scenic elevator to overlook the Dahan River terrace is a great choice. You can easily enjoy the expansive riverside view in just ten seconds without ascending steep stone stairs. Travelers who prefer to leisurely savor the scenery while walking might consider including the cliffside trail on their itinerary; the 450-meter friendly path extends from Sailboat Square to Zhen Nan Gong Square, allowing visitors to enjoy the serene greenery and stunning sunset views along with the gentle sounds of flowing water – part of Daxi's Eight Scenic Views.
