Xinzhuang Dongzhamen Introduction
The Dongzhamen of Xinbei Shizhuang is located in Fengtian Village, Neipu Township and is also known as Huai Zhong Men. It is currently classified as a national third-level historic site. During the Qing Dynasty, in the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong eras, many Hakka immigrants from Guangdong moved to the Pingtung area to cultivate land. Due to being newcomers, they often clashed with the Minnan people and indigenous groups. To avoid disturbances and delineate boundaries with other villages, four gates—East, West, South, and North—were built as defensive structures around Xinbei Shizhuang. However, after centuries of change, only the East Gate remains today. Its existence has become a symbol of respect and remembrance for the ancestors of the Xinbei Shizhuang community. The East Gate is primarily constructed from stone and earth, standing approximately 7 meters tall, 6.5 meters wide, and about 1.2 meters thick, occupying more than 6 pings of land. Walls made of bricks are built on both sides of the gate to serve a load-bearing function. The inner side of the gate features mortises for door panels, and the ridge adopts a horizontal saddle design adorned with red tiles. Furthermore, on the side wall of a nearby residence to the right front of the East Gate, there remains a commemorative stone tablet made of granite, which dates back to the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty and marks the reconstruction of the gate. Although the characters on the tablet have become worn and indistinct, it is considered a precious artifact. In the center of the gate's lintel hangs a plaque that reads "Huai Zhong," flanked by symmetrical circular cannon decorations. The origin of the plaque has historical significance; in the 60th year of the Kangxi reign, the "Zhu Yigui Incident" occurred, which disturbed the lives of the people. Consequently, the residents of Xinbei Shizhuang organized volunteer forces to defend their hometown. After the event concluded, the Qing Dynasty rewarded the Hakka people for their contributions and bestowed upon them the title "Huai Zhong," hence why the East Gate is also referred to as "Huai Zhong Men."
