North Gate Entrance in Taipei

Taipei’s North Gate is located at the intersection of Zhongxiao West Road, Bo’ai Road, and Yanping Road. It is the only gate from the Qing era that has been completely preserved. Both the North Gate and the Yuanshan Archaeological Site are classified as grade-one historic monument.
The North Gate is formally known as Cheng’en Gate since it “faces the North Star and receives (cheng) the emperor’s kindness (en).” At the time, the North Gate was the narrow entrance that people from Twatutia entered Taipei. The gate tower was done in traditional Minnan style with a swallowtail roof with a hip-and-gable slope. While exquisitely beautiful, the traffic in the area now is so congested it is not easy to get there to appreciate its beauty.
The picture was taken around 1960. At that time there was already a throng of people and vehicles trying to pass through. On close inspection, it is clear that the vehicles are mostly bicycles and pedicabs, as automobiles were not yet common. To the left of the gate is the Taipei Post Office, which is currently a grade three historical monument.