Xinzhuang Dongzhaimen Introduction
The East Stockade Gate of Xinjian Village is located in Neipu Township, Fengtian Village, and is also known as the Huai Zhong Gate. It is currently designated as a national third-class historic site. During the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong reigns of the Qing Dynasty, many Cantonese Hakka people settled in the Pingtung area for land reclamation. As these were migrant groups, conflicts often arose with Holo and Indigenous peoples. To avoid disturbances and delineate boundaries with other villages, four stockade gates (east, west, south, and north) were built as defensive structures around Xinjian Village. However, after several centuries of changes, only the East Stockade Gate remains today, symbolizing the respect and remembrance for ancestors among the people of Xinjian Village. The East Stockade Gate is primarily constructed from stones and mud, standing approximately 7 meters tall, 6.5 meters wide, and 1.2 meters thick, covering an area of over 6 pings. The walls on both sides of the gate are made of bricks, serving mainly for structural support. The inner side of the gate features mortises for a door, and the roof is designed with a horizontal saddle shape, adorned with red tiles. Additionally, on the side wall of the house in front of the East Stockade Gate, there is a granite monument commemorating the restoration of the gate from the Guangxu period, although the inscription has become worn and unclear, it remains a valuable relic. A plaque inscribed with "Huai Zhong" hangs in the center of the gate’s upper beam, flanked by symmetrical circular guns. The plaque's origin has historical significance dating back to the 60th year of the Kangxi era when the "Zhu Yigui Incident" occurred, which disturbed the lives of the people. In response, the residents of Xinjian Village organized volunteer soldiers to defend their hometown. After the event concluded, the Qing Dynasty rewarded their efforts by bestowing the title "Huai Zhong" upon the Hakka people, thus the East Stockade Gate is also referred to as the Huai Zhong Gate.
