Yueheng Gate Introduction
Yueheng Gate is located to the west of Xingzhuang in Dongshi District, facing the Dajia River. Its size and shape are similar to that of the "Rising Sun Gate," featuring a blue couplet that reads, "Backed by the Gui direction, all is harmonious; The Ding direction in front is beneficial." In the heavenly stems, Gui represents the north, while Ding represents the south, indicating that Yueheng Gate faces southward. Above the gate, there are two circular gun holes on each side, and below the couplet, there are two square firing ports, which serve a significant defensive purpose. The Rising Sun and Yueheng Gates are closely related to the history of Kaizhuang in the lower town. According to existing historical records, Kaizhuang in the lower town began in the fifth year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, when the villagers started to reclaim land by building stone walls to delineate bamboo farms, dividing into clans to build homes and work together in agriculture, calling themselves "Hexing Zhuang." After the Daisan in rebellion, the villagers of Hexing Zhuang built gates to the east and west, with gun holes for defense against external threats, and planted bamboo around the village as a deterrent against robbery. After the 921 earthquake in central Taiwan in 1999, Yueheng Gate was damaged, and the Cultural Bureau registered it as a historical building and carried out restoration work.
