East Gate in Taipei

Taipei’s East Gate was constructed in 1884 by the Qing government as one of five city gates. Also known as Jingfu Gate, it is located at the intersection of Zhongshan South Road and Ketagalan Boulevard. Intended as a strategic defense location, it was built with an extra layer of earthen wall to protect the troops stationed there. In 1900, the Governor-General of Taiwan began a project to correct the streets in Taipei. As part of this project, the wall was torn down and the road was widened to three lanes. After the war, due to the fact that it was in poor condition, the government restored the East Gate (as well as the South Gate and the Little South Gate) in an attempt to beautify the city. In so doing, the three gates were altered drastically from their original form. Through the trees on the left side of the picture the baroque-styled roof of the House of the Governor-General can be seen (known in modern times as the Taipei Guest House).