Hengchun Old Town Introduction
Kenting Ancient City, designated as a national level two historical monument, is the most well-preserved city gate monument in Taiwan. The construction of the ancient city was motivated by the need to defend against foreign enemies. Approved by Qing Dynasty official Shen Baozhen, the city was built under the direction of Liu Lao, who was familiar with surveying. Construction began in 1875 (the first year of the Guangxu era) and took five years to complete, making it over 130 years old today. The city wall of Kenting Ancient City is approximately 3,208 meters long and about 6.6 meters thick, with four main gates to the east, south, west, and north, each topped with an artillery platform. Additionally, watchtowers and crenellations were built, and parts of the wall have been preserved, with only the four gates remaining in relatively complete condition. Although the ancient elegance of the Kenting watchtower is lost, one can still feel a sense of nostalgia when climbing the gates today. The East Gate is located on the main road from Kenting to Manjhou, featuring a decorative archway with visible remnants of the artillery platform and gun holes. During the restoration of the monument, the city wall was rebuilt to resemble its original appearance, allowing one to imagine the scene of the four gates surrounded by the city wall. The West Gate, characterized by its remaining gate opening and crenellated parapet, is located on the bustling Zhongshan Road. Surrounded by closely built houses, the West Gate appears smaller. Historically, the area around the West Gate was a commercial district, positioned on a busy thoroughfare where both local residents and visitors had to pass through. Today, the population density and commercial vibrancy around the West Gate are even greater than before, making the alleys nearby feel narrow and crowded. The South Gate retains its arched entrance, brick wall, and flying eaves archway, being the most complete of the four gates. However, after multiple renovations, it is also the least similar to its original appearance. Travelers entering Kenting from the direction of Kenting National Park will surely pass through the South Gate, which has become a central point in Kenting Town. The North Gate once served as the main entrance to Hengchun County, located on an important traffic route. Visitors can access the walls through a sloped path on the right side of the gate, making it the only gate open for tourists to climb for a view. To this day, the North Gate still bears the only stele erected in the second year of Guangxu, and the once-present pavilions have since disappeared. To revive the historical and cultural charm of Kenting Ancient City and promote it as an artistically vibrant tourist destination, the Pingtung County Government has initiated the "Kenting Ancient City Regeneration Project," integrating existing cultural elements and natural resources. Special attractions such as the Ballad Forest, Kenting Story Museum, and Floating City Wall have been added, along with plans for four major tourism themes: Langjiao Avenue and government office spaces, film and television tourism streets, Monkey Cave Mountain natural performance areas, and urban recreation routes, aiming to create an engaging, comfortable, and unique experience for visitors, allowing them to naturally fall in love with this century-old town.
