East Gate of Zuoying

The East Gate of Zuoying is a fortified city gate from the Qing dynasty with walls made of coral stone and granite, featuring nine crenellations and a seven-level horse ramp. The structure shows how different materials were combined and crafted into a defensive fortification of significant size and weight.

Built in 1825, this gate was part of the first city wall that the Qing government constructed after taking control of Taiwan. This fortification represented an important step in securing and administering the newly controlled territory.

This gate demonstrates how local communities adapted mainland Chinese building techniques using materials from their surroundings. You can see in the stonework and structure how people of that era approached city defense and urban design.

The gate sits near Zuoying Station, making it convenient to visit while moving through the district. The structure remains largely intact, so you can examine the historical form and construction from multiple angles during your visit.

A side access ramp was added later to accommodate modern visitors while keeping the original gate structure intact. This adaptation shows how historical sites were modified for contemporary use without completely compromising their authenticity.