Chengguangao Cultural Landscape (Guangheng Fa Ruins) Introduction
On the Taiwan Route 11 East Coast Highway in Chenggong Township, Taitung County, there is a cultural heritage site known as the "Chengguangao Cultural Landscape" Park, which was originally the site of the "Guangheng Fa Business." This was once the largest trading firm in eastern Taiwan. The architectural style features a Baroque-style three-arch gate and a brick-arched pavilion, both built with stone, showcasing the wealth of the Wen family at that time. Chengguangao, also known as Xiaogang, is a natural deep-water harbor that has been used for docking military ships for a long time. Early on, Han Chinese came to trade in this area, referring to the harbor as "Aozai" due to its location related to the Macau region. Additionally, its shape resembles the pincers of a crab embracing the bay, hence the name "Xun Guangao," with Sanxiantai visible in the distance. Chengguangao served as an important base for early Han settlement on the eastern coast. Wen Taikun, a Hakka from Neipu, Pingtung, established the "Guangheng Fa Business" in Chengguangao, becoming the largest grocery store along the Hualien-Taitung coastline at that time, selling everyday items such as rice and salt and taking advantage of the port to transport goods directly from the west to the mountainous areas. With the widening project of the East Coast Highway, the northern archway was damaged, leaving only the facade of the Baroque-style business and the pavilion still recognizable, while about one-third of the remaining ruins are now hidden among wild plants. Today, the establishment of the "Chengguangao Cultural Landscape" serves as a testament to the history of Han Chinese settlement and development on the East Coast.
