Fangli Creek Yi-Du Pavilion Introduction
In the early years, there was no clear distinction between the channels of the Fangli River and the Da'an River. The Yi Du Stele indicates that the water of the river flows to Liyutan and then enters the sea from the northwest via the Fangli coastal area, referred to as the "Fangli River." The water flowing into the Da'an Port from the southwest is known as the "Da'an River." However, during sudden rainstorms, both the Fangli River and the Da'an River often flood, causing chaotic water flows downstream, intertwining the surfaces of the two rivers over a span of ten miles, making it very difficult for pedestrians to cross. Local wealthy gentry would often hire people to operate boats for ferrying and extort high fees under various pretexts, resorting to violence against travelers who refused to pay, causing considerable suffering for ordinary people. In the 17th year of the Daoguang era, the then assistant magistrate of Tamsui, Lou Yun, aimed to eliminate these problems by inviting local gentry to donate to a public ferry fund, purchasing public land, and using the annual rent from that land to cover ferry expenses, establishing six public ferries at various crossing points. This initiative not only resolved the crossing issues for pedestrians but also greatly aided the development of local transportation and promoted agricultural colonization efforts. The inscription on the Yi Du Stele reads "Demonstrated by Lou of the Tamsui Sub-prefecture" in horizontal text, with "Official Public Ferry of the Fangli River" written in the center, and on the right it states, "Established in the 17th year of Daoguang, funded by the government for labor and meals; pedestrians are ferried as they arrive without any charges permitted, and violators will be strictly dealt with." On the left, it notes "Established by Lou Yun of the Tamsui Sub-prefecture." Originally, the Yi Du Stele was placed by the Fangli River, but as transportation developed, the demand for public ferries decreased, leading to the stele's temporary disappearance. It has now been recovered and is placed in front of the Yidu Pavilion of Shuntian Temple for future generations to remember.
