Ahou City Gate (Chaoyang Gate) Introduction
Ahou was the old name of Pingtung City. In the year 1836 (the 16th year of the Daoguang Emperor's reign), local gentry were concerned about potential disturbances from indigenous bandits that could threaten the safety of the city’s residents. Therefore, they privately raised funds to build Ahou Castle. As a result, Ahou Castle was not under the jurisdiction of the government. Because of this, there are no related records of Ahou Castle in the Fengshan County Annals, though it is briefly mentioned on the plaque at the city gate. Originally, Ahou Castle had four complete gates to the east, south, west, and north. However, due to neglect and the demolition of most of the walls during the Japanese rule for road repairs, only the east gate has been preserved, which is today known as the "Chaoyang Gate", located next to Zhongshan Park, and it has been designated as a national third-level historic site. The Chaoyang Gate stands about 3.6 meters high, with the upper half of the gate tower constructed of bricks, creating a protruding cornice shape, while the lower half features a symmetrical brick arch. The sides of the gate opening are built with cobblestones. The main gate plaque is made of granite and inscribed with the characters for "Chaoyang Gate". There are 17 crenellations made of red bricks on the gate tower, which are estimated to have been added in the 65th year of the Republic of China (1976). The gate opening of Ahou Castle is divided into three segments. The front and rear segments are constructed using long bricks to form an arched shape, with a rectangular space in the middle. The walls of the gate are stacked with basalt granite, and the corners are treated with clean water bricks, while the central part features a round arch made of red bricks. The arch's diameter is divided into three different sizes, and the side walls also have mortise holes for inserting door supports. Although Ahou Castle Gate now stands as a solitary gate and no longer possesses the grandeur of its past, the visible architectural structure—with its mottled red bricks and wild grasses growing at the base—contrasts strikingly with the modern park landscape beside it, showcasing a deep sense of antiquity.
