East Gate City Square

East Gate City Square

The East Gate, also known as Yingxi Gate, was built in the 9th year of the Daoguang reign (1829) and is the only remaining structure of the Zhulian Old City to this day. Located on a roundabout where several main streets converge, it has long been an important landmark of Hsinchu City. In 1999, the municipal government renovated the roundabout into the "East Gate City Square" with the concept of the "Heart of Hsinchu," allowing citizens to get close to this century-old historical site. The adjacent moats were also transformed into a water-friendly park, creating a green resting belt in the city center.

Shaped like an ellipse, East Gate City Square is situated at the convergence of nine roads but has been turned into a tranquil park through clever spatial design and landscaping. The classic Yingxi Gate stands at one end of the square, constructed from granite imported from mainland China. The gate tower features a hip-and-gable roof with double eaves, its upturned swallowtail ridges and elegant pendant tubes beneath the eaves showcasing refined craftsmanship. The crenellated parapet is made of bricks, with square loopholes in the center serving as defensive cover. Beside the gate stands the "Danshui Hall City Construction Stele," which details the history of the city’s construction.

The old section of the moat has been renovated into a pedestrian underpass, now serving as an art gallery that displays old photos to evoke memories of the past of the "Wind City." The gate tower is surrounded by a circular pathway that not only offers various viewing angles but also features four "poetry walls" intricately carved with verses celebrating the scenery of Zhulian, allowing visitors to experience the timeless charm of the Wind City as depicted by literati through different eras.

The square's foreground is paved with a glass floor, which not only echoes the landscape of the water-friendly area but also highlights the significance of the glass industry in Hsinchu. The neon lights embedded in the floor, shaped like rice noodles, aptly represent the city’s local specialties—offering a perfect blend of high technology and traditional imagery. Additionally, the ambient lighting inspired by triumphal arches casts a brilliant glow at night, accentuating the splendor of Yingxi Gate.

Transportation Guide: Walk along Zhongzheng Road from Hsinchu Railway Station for about five minutes to reach the square.