Taichung Park Introduction
Taichung Park, the first centennial park in Taiwan, has been a landmark of Taichung City for over a hundred years. The park is lush with trees and features elements of history, culture, and wildlife. It is often said that "the ancestors plant trees, and the descendants enjoy the shade." It is rare to find such a green space in urban areas of Taiwan like Taichung Park, which took a long time to develop into a poetic retreat for people to find comfort without spending much or having to drive to the mountains or rivers. For many Taichung residents, Taichung Park is a wonderful place for recreation and relaxation from childhood to adulthood, whether for sports, boating on the pavilion's lake, family gatherings, or romantic moments for couples. For travelers, Taichung Park is a landmark of Taichung and the first centennial park in Taiwan, preserving the charm of ancient relics while being conveniently located to visit bustling night markets and transportation hubs. Accommodations, delis, and snacks are readily available, making it one of the best destinations for both relaxation and activities. The Pavilion in the Lake, built in 1908 during the Japanese rule (the 41st year of the Meiji era), was constructed to celebrate the opening ceremony of the full-length trunk railway. The Japanese prince Yoshihisa of the Imperial Family, who presided over the event in Taiwan, once stayed overnight at this pavilion, making it quite famous. Since the Japanese colonial period, the Pavilion in the Lake has always been a symbol of Taichung City. On April 17, 1999, it was officially designated as a "city-designated historic site," encompassing both the pavilion and the nearby Zhongshan Bridge. The Wangyue Pavilion was built in 1889 (the 15th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty) and is the only remaining relic of the former capital of Taiwan. At that time, the Qing Dynasty established a provincial government in Taiwan, and Governor Liu Ming-chuan designated Taichung as the provincial capital, leading to the construction of eight city gates and four city towers. Wangyue Pavilion is the remaining building from the northern gate among the eight. With the passage of time, most of these old city towers were almost completely destroyed during the Japanese rule, leaving only the Wangyue Pavilion. The plaque in the pavilion reads "Quzou Ying Shen," proposed by County Magistrate Huang Cheng-yi, and holds over a hundred years of history, making it the oldest monument in Taichung Park. Currently, a replica is displayed on-site while the original is preserved at the Nioumatou Ruins Cultural Park. The Geng Tower was originally the main gate of the Wu Luanqi Residence, which was demolished around 1980. To preserve the historical relics of the residence, the Taichung City Government relocated the Geng Tower to Taichung Park. It is now the only surviving traditional Chinese tower building in Taiwan.
