Meilun Lake Introduction
Meilun Lake was constructed in 1748, covering 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 picturesque scenery of the lake's mountains and waters is captivating. A lakeside path and cycling trail run along the entire perimeter of Meilun Lake, attracting visitors who enjoy cycling, walking, or fishing. The tourism service center provides bicycle rentals. The eastern side of Meilun Lake is planned to be populated with such trees as Delonix regia, taxodium distichum, Salix, and Melia azedarach, along with flowering shrubs and aquatic plants, enhancing not only the beauty of Meilun Lake but also its ecological educational functions. The birdwatching area, originally the only water source relied upon by local residents for daily life and agricultural irrigation during the Japanese colonial period, has seen sediment accumulation that reduced its irrigation capability. However, this has given rise to some islands and dense aquatic plants, with little human interference, creating an excellent ecological environment for nurturing bird species. Over 60 bird species inhabit the area, making it a popular spot for birdwatching in southern Taiwan. In addition to common species such as the Purple Gallinule, Water Hen, and Night Heron, rare bird species like the Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Pond Heron, Black-headed Kingfisher, Baikal Teal, Common Kestrel, Fish Eagle, and Water Hen can also be seen. From October to March of the following year, a large number of wintering migratory birds stop by, attracting many bird enthusiasts to observe or photograph them. The Zhongzheng Pavilion, often featured in picturesque photographs of Meilun Lake, is located in the lake's center. It was built after former President Chiang Kai-shek's two visits in 1956 and was named Zhongzheng Lake after renaming Zhongzheng Pond. The pavilion offers stunning views of the lake. In 1996, local villagers initiated a renaming campaign to officially name it "Meilun Lake." The Meilun Hakka Cultural Museum, established in 2001, carries the important mission of preserving and transmitting Hakka cultural history. It operates under the concept of a community museum, aiming to demonstrate cultural subjectivity and regional cultural development, showcasing the historical and cultural diversity of Meilun. More than 90% of Meilun's population is of Hakka descent, making it the town with the most complete preservation of Hakka culture in Taiwan. The museum's exterior combines "tobacco barn style" and "courtyard design" and is designed with a focus on "reconstruction." The building material uses exposed concrete to present a simple and unpretentious image, making it an eco-friendly architecture that integrates with the local area. The museum includes a two-story exhibition space that encapsulates various aspects of Hakka culture, including food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, and entertainment, using multiple media, physical objects, photographs, literature, videos, tapes, replica models, ecological landscaping, and interactive displays to present a multi-faceted historical perspective and to express the interaction between ethnic characteristics and the environment. The first floor features a constant exhibition area, a specialty products display area, a DIY classroom, a cultural relic exhibition area, and a special exhibition room. The DIY classroom regularly offers various handmade teaching activities, currently featuring a DIY program for painting paper umbrellas, which can be purchased at the service desk for creative painting. The second floor includes a themed gallery, a children's exploration area, and a cultural relic exhibition area. The children's exploration area utilizes "building blocks" to integrate the natural and human landscape characteristics of Meilun into every game corner, featuring unique large foreign soft building block learning tools, making it an excellent place for parent-child enjoyment and learning together. Yongan Old Street, formerly known as "Minong," was established by Hakka people who crossed the Laonong River from Pingtung's Ligang to create "Minong Village" on Yueguang Mountain. When the village was founded, the sixteen founding families built 24 communal houses and named the street "Yongan" to pray for "permanent peace," with a history of over 200 years. It was one of the earliest and most prosperous streets during its development. Starting from the Jingtzi Pavilion in the west of Minong Village to the East Gate Tower, approximately two kilometers filled with an ancient nostalgic atmosphere are evident through various sites, including the Desheng Public Shrine, the Grandfather Temple, Songwu Academy, ancient wells, Hakka indigo clothing shops, the old bridge, and irrigation ditches. Each corner reveals the charm of Hakka communal houses, beautiful gate towers, and tells the beautiful stories of two hundred years of vicissitudes. When tired, one can enjoy delicious Hakka snacks at the market, experience Hakka culture in depth at the Hakka Cultural Museum, or enjoy the charming scenery of Meilun along the irrigation ditches—every eave and turn reveals a history full of elegance and emotion. Yongan Old Street is a historic reflection of Hakka culture and the essence of Meilun. The East Gate Tower is located at the end of Yong'an Road, along the main axis spanning Minong Village. It bears witness to the history of the village's establishment during the Qing Dynasty, when Minong Village was primarily centered on Yong'an Street. Surrounded by fences, only the East Gate retained a city gate tower. The East Gate Tower is the most famous landmark in Meilun with its unique structure; its exact date of construction is hard to ascertain, but it is said to have been originally built in 1755 from the pre-existing East Gate of Minong Village. In 1937, local gentry initiated its reconstruction, resulting in the current three-story, steel-reinforced concrete form that stands tall. The tower bears the inscription "Daqi Wenming," a reproduction of the calligraphy by Huang Xiangyun, a Minong villager and imperial scholar during the Daoguang era (1829), and it was designated as a historic site in 2000. Tseng Wen-chung Art Museum is named after its founder, who was born in Kaohsiung's Meilun. As an artist and educator, Tseng is a renowned oil and watercolor painter, with works based on the landscapes of Meilun, showcasing a simple and natural style. After retirement, he dedicated himself to artistic creation, promoting Hakka culture and the beauty of Meilun scenery. Tseng has deep feelings for Meilun's culture and beautiful landscapes, creating hundreds of works featuring his hometown that resemble a paradise. He has donated a series of large oil paintings to government cultural departments and schools to promote art education and influence students. Growing up in a traditional Hakka communal house on Yongan Old Street, he has a profound attachment to their unique and beautiful shapes. Feeling that these historic houses are gradually disappearing due to deterioration, he has actively sought to preserve and repurpose them, transforming his former residence into the "Tseng Wen-chung Art Museum," showcasing his works and those of other artists, and providing a venue for art and literature lectures. Tseng has stated, "The beauty of Meilun's landscape is on par with world-renowned scenery. As a Hakka descendant, I wish to present my emotional memories through my brush, hoping that the audience can also feel the beauty of Meilun." He encourages community engagement along Yongan Street...
