National Chung Cheng University Introduction
Chiayi County is home to multiple institutions of higher education, rich in cultural and educational atmosphere. National Chung Cheng University is one of the prestigious universities in the county. It is a relatively new university, originally established on a plot of sugarcane fields. On December 1, 1987, the Executive Yuan formally approved this piece of land in Minxiong Township for the establishment of National Chung Cheng University. The land, which once nurtured many living things, has taken on the task of cultivating students in this new era. Subsequently, the university has established five graduate institutes, including Chinese Literature, Applied Mathematics, Social Welfare, Computer Engineering, and International Economics. As of now, it has developed into a well-established university. National Chung Cheng University features vast grounds with beautiful architecture, with its most famous attractions being the Tranquil Lake and the Qing Garden. Tranquil Lake was originally a deep ditch located on the southern side of the campus. Based on architect Shen Zuhai's campus planning concept, this ditch was transformed into Tranquil Lake. A 20-meter-wide arched bridge crosses the lake, marking the starting point of the landscape axis running north to south across the campus. In addition to serving as a transportation link, the bridge adds to the unique scenery of the campus, where swans and mallards, successfully bred within the campus, inhabit the lake area. The Qing Garden was initiated by the faculty and students in honor of the university's founding president, Mr. Lin Qingjiang, to commemorate his contributions to the establishment of National Chung Cheng University. Notably, the garden's plant species are selected based on seasonal color changes, using the existing camphor tree forest to create various terrains, thus presenting the beauty of natural ecology. The central fountain pool in the campus is also one of its features, serving as a time-telling fountain that sprays beautiful mist for about 15 minutes on the hour and half-hour. The design of the fountain's light pillars carries symbolic significance, with twelve columns representing the twelve months of the year and twelve active water sources, while the flowing water above signifies the dynamic essence of life, making it a meaningful spiritual landmark of National Chung Cheng University.
