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Why the remains of Taiwan Province Capital, North Gate (Bei Men), could be found in Taichung Park? |
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In 1885, Ching Dynasty upgraded Taiwan from a district to a province. The first president, Liu Ming Chuan, planned to resettle the province capital, which was located in Zhanghau County then, in Tatuen (the current Taichung). Therefore, Huang Cheng Yi, a government official was assigned to build the capital city that composed of 8 gates and four stories. At that time, Bei Men was located at the current McDonald that is next to the entrance of Taichung Park. It was named Kan Fu with the story name as Ming Yuan. A graveyard with an altar was near Bei Men during that time. If an official died, his coffin would stop temporarily at the graveyard before moved back to the hometown. |
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However, the construction of the province capital was interrupted because of Liu’s retirement. During the Japanese’s reign, the city renovation plan took over. In order to build roads, the gates were all removed. Only the Ming Yuan Story, which was above the north gate, was left. In order to celebrate the completion of Taichung Park, some local gentry kept the story and moved it inside the park on October 28, that year. |
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An inscription was hung over the Bei Men Story read as, “Playing tune to greet the deity” (The deity is the graveyard spirit). The government official, Huang Cheng Yi in 1891, wrote it. The inscription board has been more than an age old and becomes one of the most cherished memorials. This story was renovated in 1948 during the term of Taichung mayor, Cheng Zhong Xi and renamed as Wang Yue Pavilion. It stands now as the only remain from the eight gates. |
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Resource
from ：Taichung Park history and ecology tour instruction brochure. |
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