Taipei South Gate

In 1875, the Qing dynasty established Taipeh Prefecture, consisting of a region surrounding modern day Taipei in northern Taiwan. Later, the foundation of a new prefectural capital with enclosing walls was ordered in 1879; it was the birth of the Taipei City Walls. After more than a hundred years, the city walls used to defend against the enemies no longer stand, but the gates stay and continue to tell their stories on the streets of Taipei.

The Taipei City Walls were pierced with five gates, and the most imposing one goes to the South Gate, serving as the front gate. After Taiwan’s handover to the Republic of China, the government rebuilt the defensive tower into a palace-styled architecture originated from Northern China. The South Gate with a rooftop in the hip-and-gable style now has a single-eave roof, and the monotonous ochre roof tiles have been replaced by the exquisite jade green ones.

The South Gate was once the main gate of Taipei City Walls, a busy passage where people hurried through every day. Standing in the middle of a roundabout swamped with traffic today, the South Gate may be easily overlooked and buried amongst the hustle and bustle of Taipei City, but next time when you are around, we heartily invite you to have a nice stroll within the South Gate surrounded by lushness, catching a glimpse of the magnificent Taipei from a century ago.