Hengchun Ancient City Introduction
Kenting Old Town, designated as a national second-level historic site, is the most well-preserved ancient city gate relic in Taiwan. The construction of the ancient city was motivated by the need to fend off external threats and was approved by Qing Dynasty official Shen Baozhen. Liu Gao, who was well-versed in surveying, selected the site for the city, which began construction in 1875 (the first year of Qing Guangxu) and took five years to complete, boasting a history of over 130 years. The city wall of Kenting Old Town measures approximately 3,208 meters in length and about 6.6 meters in thickness, with four gates—East, South, West, and North—each featuring an elevated platform for cannons. Additionally, watchtowers, battlements, and parapets were constructed. Portions of the city wall have survived to this day, with only four gates retaining their complete appearance. Although the ancient charm of Kenting's city towers is no longer evident, climbing the gates today still evokes a sense of nostalgia. The East Gate is situated on the main route from Kenting to Manzhou, featuring a memorial archway above it, with remains of the cannon platform and cannon ports visible. During the restoration of the historic site, the city wall was rebuilt to reflect its original appearance, allowing one to envision how the four gates were once surrounded by the city wall. The West Gate, with its remaining gatehole and crenellations, is located on the bustling Zhongshan Road, appearing small due to the closely packed buildings around it. In the past, the area near the West Gate was a commercial zone, and it served as a busy thoroughfare where both locals and visitors had to pass through the gate. Today, the densely populated and thriving commercial atmosphere has made the lanes around the West Gate even narrower and more congested than before. The South Gate retains its arched entrance, brick walls, and eaves-style memorial archway, making it the most well-preserved of the four gates. However, after several renovations, it is also the gate that deviates the most from its original appearance. Anyone entering Kenting from the direction of Kenting National Park will inevitably pass through the South Gate, which has become the focal point of Kenting Town's roundabout. The North Gate, once the main entrance to Hengchun County, is located on an important transportation route, with a slope on its right side leading up to the gate, making it the only gate open for visitors to explore the walls. The North Gate still preserves the only stele of the Kenting Old Town, erected in the second year of Qing Guangxu, while the original pavilion roof structure is no longer present. To revitalize the historical and cultural flavor of Kenting Old Town and transform it into a vibrant artistic and cultural town that attracts tourists, the Pingtung County Government has initiated the "Kenting Old Town Regeneration Project." This plan integrates existing cultural connotations and natural resources of Kenting, introducing features such as the Folk Song Forest, Hengchun Story House, and Floating City Wall. Four major tourism themes have been developed, including Langjiao Boulevard and Office Space, Film and Television Tourism Streets, Monkey Cave Mountain Nature Performance Space, and Recreational Routes around the City, all aimed at creating tourism appeal, comfort, storytelling, and uniqueness to ensure visitors naturally fall in love with this century-old town.
