Meinong Lake Introduction
Meino 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. It is surrounded by mountains to the northwest and fields on three sides, showcasing picturesque mountain and lake views. There is a lakeside walking and biking path along the entire area, where visitors enjoy light riding, walking, or fishing. The visitor center offers bike rentals. The eastern side of Meino Lake is planned for planting tree species such as red-flowered ironwood, bald cypress, water willow, phoenix tree, and neem, along with flowering shrubs and aquatic plants, so that Meino Lake not only offers beautiful scenery but also contributes to ecological education. The bird-watching area was originally the only water source relied upon by local residents for daily life and agricultural irrigation during the Japanese colonial period. Although sedimentation has reduced its irrigation function, it has formed some sandbars and clusters of aquatic plants, becoming an excellent ecological environment for bird breeding with over 60 species of birds, making it a good spot for birdwatching in southern Taiwan. In addition to common species like the purple gallinule, water chicken, and night heron, there are also rare and uncommon birds such as the little bittern, purple heron, pond heron, black-crowned kingfisher, rubber duck, common kestrel, fish eagle, and water chicken. From October to March each year, a large number of winter migratory birds come here to rest, attracting many bird enthusiasts to enjoy birdwatching or capture images of birds. The Zhongzheng Pavilion, a picturesque scene at Meino Lake, is often featured in photographs. It is located in the center of the lake and was built after former President Chiang Kai-shek visited twice in 1956, and the lake was renamed from Zhongzhun Ponds to Zhongzheng Lake, allowing a magnificent view of the lake's scenery from the pavilion. In 1996, residents initiated a name change to "Meino Lake." The Meino Hakka Cultural Museum, established in 2001, carries the important mission of preserving and passing on Hakka cultural history, operating under the concept of a community museum. It aims to realize cultural subjectivity and regional cultural development, showcasing the historical and cultural diversity of Meino while integrating with the community to enhance understanding and interaction among local ethnic groups. Over 90% of the population in Meino are Hakka, making it the town with the most complete preservation of Hakka culture in Taiwan. The museum's architecture combines the design of a "tobacco building" and "courtyard," with a design based on "reconstruction," using exposed concrete to convey a simple and unadorned image, making it an environmentally friendly building that connects with the local culture. Inside, two floors of exhibition space condense various aspects of Hakka culture such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, and entertainment, using diverse media, physical objects, photographs, documents, videos, tapes, replica models, ecological landscaping, and interactive displays to present historical features while deeply expressing the interaction between ethnic characteristics and the environment through the artifacts on display. The first floor features an exhibition area for a permanent theme, a specialty product display area, a DIY classroom, an artifact display area, and a special exhibition room. The DIY classroom periodically offers various handmade teaching activities, currently featuring DIY paper umbrella painting, where visitors can purchase blank paper umbrellas at the service desk for creative painting. The second floor has a theme hall, a children's exploration area, and an artifact display area. The children's exploration area uses "building blocks" as materials, integrating the natural and cultural landscape features of Meino into every play corner, especially introducing a unique large soft block learning tool from abroad, making it an excellent field for family fun and learning together. Yong'an Old Street, formerly known as "Mi Nong," was established during the Qing Dynasty when Hakka people from Ligang in Pingtung crossed the Laonong River to establish "Mi Nong Village" on Moonlight Mountain in Meino. When the village was built, the sixteen founding families constructed 24 dormitories and named the street "Yong'an Street," hoping for "permanent peace." With a history of over 200 years, it is now one of the earliest and most prosperous streets developed at that time. Starting from the Jingzi Pavilion in Mi Nong Village on the west side to the East Gate Tower, the approximately two-kilometer distance is filled with an ancient nostalgic atmosphere, featuring the Desheng Gong Altar, the Bogong Temple, the Songwu Academy, old wells, Hakka blue-shirt stores, the old bridge of Meino, and water channels, alongside countless beautiful Hakka dormitories and elegant gates, telling the beautiful stories of 200 years of changes. If you're tired, you can order a few delicious Hakka snacks at the market, and if you want to experience Hakka culture, you can delve deeper into it at the Hakka Cultural Museum or enjoy the pleasant scenery of Meino by the water channel, where every eave and corner reflects elegant history and emotion. Yong'an Old Street is truly a historical microcosm of Hakka culture and the essence of Meino. The East Gate Tower is located at the end of Yong'an Road, on the main axis running through the village, witnessing the history of the establishment of Meino Village. During the Qing Dynasty, Meino was centered around Yong'an Street, surrounded by barrier gates, and only the east gate was built as a city gate tower. The East Gate Tower is the most famous landmark in Meino, with a very unique shape; the exact date of its construction is difficult to determine but is said to have been built around 1755 when the locals renovated the existing east gate. In 1937, it was rebuilt by local gentry and elders, rising three stories high with a steel and concrete structure, appearing majestic and imposing. The tower is inscribed with the four characters "Da Qi Wen Ming," echoing Huang Xiangyun, who came from Mi Nong Village and passed the imperial examination in 1829, being the inscription on the tower. In 2000, it was designated as a historic site. Zeng Wenzhong Art Museum was founded by teacher Zeng Wenzhong, who was born in Meino, Kaohsiung, dedicating his life to art education. He is a renowned oil and watercolor painter, primarily focusing on the scenic landscapes of Meino, with a simple and natural painting style. After retirement, he devoted himself to art creation, showcasing Hakka culture and the local customs of Meino. Teacher Zeng has deep feelings for the local customs and landscapes of Meino, combining his watercolor and oil painting skills to create hundreds of works about his hometown, depicting the beautiful scenery of his hometown akin to a paradise, even gifting a series of large oil paintings to government cultural departments and schools to promote aesthetic education among children. Growing up in a traditional Hakka dormitory on Yong'an Old Street, Zeng Wenzhong has a deep affection for traditional Hakka dormitories and is concerned about the gradual disappearance of beautifully shaped and uniquely designed dormitories due to aging. He actively works on preserving and revitalizing these dormitories and has transformed his former home into the Zeng Wenzhong Art Museum, displaying his and other artists' works and providing a venue for art and literature lectures. Teacher Zeng has expressed, "The beauty of Meino's scenery is comparable to world-renowned landscapes; as a child of Hakka descent, I portray the emotions and memories I hold through my brush, hoping the audience can also feel the beauty of Meino." He also encourages...
