Mei Nung Lake Introduction
Mei-Nung Lake was constructed in 1748 and covers an area of 21 hectares, making it the second-largest artificial lake in Kaohsiung City, after Chengqing Lake. Surrounded by mountains to the northwest and fields on three sides, the lake offers beautiful scenery of mountains and waters. A lakeside path and cycling route are available around Mei-Nung Lake, making it a popular destination for visitors who enjoy cycling, walking, or fishing. The Tourism Service Center provides bike rentals. On the eastern side of the lake, there are plans to plant various trees such as the Flame Tree, Taiwan Cedar, Willow, and Neem, along with flowering shrubs and aquatic plants. This not only enhances the beauty of Mei-Nung Lake but also adds an ecological education function. The bird-watching area, originally the only water source relied upon by residents for daily life and agricultural irrigation during the Japanese colonial period, has turned into an ideal ecological environment for various bird species due to sedimentation reducing its irrigation function. With over 60 species of birds, it is a great spot for birdwatching in southern Taiwan. Besides common birds like the Purple Gallinule, Black-crowned Night Heron, and others, rare species such as the Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Black-crowned Kingfisher, and Osprey can also be found. From October to March, large flocks of migratory birds come here to rest, attracting many bird enthusiasts. Zhongzheng Pavilion, a picturesque spot on Mei-Nung Lake, is located in the center of the lake. It was built after former President Chiang Kai-shek visited twice in 1956 and renamed Zhongzheng Lake from its original name Zhongzhenpi. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the lake from the pavilion. In 1996, the local residents initiated a renaming to "Mei-Nung Lake." The Mei-Nung Hakka Cultural Museum, established in 2001, plays an essential role in preserving and transmitting Hakka culture and history. Operating as a community museum, it aims to demonstrate cultural subjectivity and regional cultural development, showcasing the diversity of Mei-Nung's history and culture, while enhancing understanding and interaction among local ethnic groups. Over 90% of Mei-Nung's population is of Hakka descent, making it the town in Taiwan with the most complete preservation of Hakka culture. The museum's exterior combines "tobacco barn style" and "quadrangular courtyard design," emphasizing simplicity and rusticity through the use of exposed concrete as an eco-friendly architectural element that integrates with the local environment. Inside, the two-story exhibition space condenses elements of Hakka culture into aspects of daily life, education, and recreation. It utilizes various media, physical artifacts, photographs, documents, videos, replicas, ecological landscaping, and interactive displays to represent the historical landscape and deeply convey the interaction between ethnic characteristics and the environment. The first floor features a permanent area for thematic exhibits, a specialty product display area, a DIY classroom, and a special exhibition room, where DIY classrooms regularly offer various handcraft workshops, such as creative painting on blank paper umbrellas available for purchase at the service desk. The second floor has a thematic museum, a children's exploration area, and a cultural artifact display area, with the children's area using "building blocks" as material to incorporate Mei-Nung's natural and cultural landscape into every play corner. It specially introduces large foreign soft building block learning tools, creating an excellent space for parents and children to enjoy and learn together. Yong'an Old Street, formerly known as "Mi-Nung," was established by Hakka people who migrated from Pingtung during the Qing Dynasty and built the "Mi-Nung Village" at Yueguang Mountain after crossing the Lanyong Creek. The pioneers built 24 communal houses and named Yong'an Street, wishing for "permanent peace." With a history of over 200 years, it was among the earliest and most prosperous streets at that time. The street stretches about two kilometers from the Jingtzi Pavilion in Mi-Nung Village to the East Gate Tower, filled with an antique and nostalgic atmosphere, featuring the Desheng Public Altar, the Bogu Temple, Songwu Academy, ancient wells, Hakka blue shirt shops, the old bridge in Mei-Nung, and irrigation channels, along with charming old Hakka communal houses and beautiful gate towers, all telling the beautiful story of 200 years. Feeling tired? You can enjoy some flavorful Hakka snacks at the market, immerse yourself in Hakka culture at the Hakka Cultural Museum, or appreciate the pleasant scenery of Mei-Nung by the irrigation channels. Every corner is rich with elegant history and emotions. Yong'an Old Street is a historical reflection of Hakka culture and the essence of Mei-Nung. The East Gate Tower is located at the end of Yong'an Road, on the main axis connecting the northern and southern ends of the village. It witnesses the history of the establishment of Mi-Nung Village during the Qing Dynasty when it had a surrounding stockade, with the East Gate being the only gate tower. The East Gate Tower is the most famous landmark in Mei-Nung, distinctive in shape, and its exact construction date is difficult to ascertain. It is believed to have been built in 1755, originally transforming the existing East Gate of Mi-Nung Village. In the 12th year of the Showa era (1937), local gentry initiated its reconstruction, resulting in the present three-story steel and concrete structure, which stands tall and magnificent. The gate tower bears the inscription "Da Qi Wen Ming," echoing the achievements of Huang Xiangyun from Mi-Nung Village, who was successful in the imperial examination in 1829, and was designated as a historic site in 2000. Zeng Wenzhong Art Museum is named after teacher Zeng Wenzhong, who was born in Kaohsiung's Mei-Nung and has dedicated his life to art education. He is a prominent oil and watercolor painter, with works focusing on the scenery of Mei-Nung. After retiring, he devoted himself to artistic creation, promoting Hakka culture and the local landscape. Deeply attached to the beauty and charm of Mei-Nung, Zeng has created hundreds of pieces depicting the picturesque scenery, gifting large murals to government cultural institutions and schools for educational purposes. Having grown up in a Hakka communal house on Yong'an Old Street, Zeng has a strong fondness for traditional Hakka architecture and has been active in the preservation and rejuvenation of these unique structures, transforming his family home into the "Zeng Wenzhong Art Museum," which showcases personal and other artists' works and serves as a venue for artistic and literary lectures. Zeng has remarked, "The beauty of Mei-Nung is on par with scenic spots worldwide. As a Hakka descendant, I hope to convey the emotions and memories of my homeland through my brush, allowing the audience to experience the beauty of Mei-Nung."
