A hundred years ago, Chengchung district was but a broad expanse of rice fields dotted here and there with bamboo plantations and farmhouses. Compared with the nearby Wanhua, Yenping and Lungshan districts, development of Chengchung district started at a relatively late date.
It was impossible then to foresee that after a hundred years or so, Chengchung district would become the most prosperous area of Taipei. It is not only the shopping and recreational center for Taipei citizens, but a hub of politics, economics, transportation and culture. Every day, more than half of the 2 million people of Taipei swarm into this area, and during weekends and holiday seasons, road and pedestrian traffic is even more heavy.
The district was first populated by Han people when Chen Lai-chang, a Fukien native, came to settle in the Taipei basin in 1708 with his family. In 1875, the imperial inspector, General Shen Pao-cheng, advised the Manchu court to set up a fu cheng or prefecture in Taipei. In 1878, Taipei magistrate Cheng Hsin-chu mapped out a plan to build the city wall, which was completed in 1882. A fortress was later erected in the middle of the wall.
There were a total of five castle gates, four of which are still standing. They are the Ching-fu Gate in the east leading to Sungshan district, Li-cheng Gate in the south leading to Chingmei, Chung-hsi Gate leading to Panchiao in the south, and the Cheng-en Gate leading into Yenping N. Road. The Pao-cheng Gate in the west, leading to Wanhua, was torn down during the Japanese occupation period. The total cost of the construction was 200,000 taels. As work started, plans for roads and houses within the city were also drawn up.
Commercial development in the district was initiated by businessmen from neighboring Wanhua. They built shops and houses which were later to become the nucleus of what is now downtown Taipei. In 1879, the Taipei magistrate's government office was established to serve as the political center, and in 1881, Hung Teng-yun, a scholar in Wanhua district, donated land and money to set up an examination center. Liu Ming-chuan erected an arch to honor these charitable deeds in 1881.
Magistrate Liu also constructed roads, and imported transportation equipment from mainland China to develop local communications, and established water and electricity utilities. Schools and temples were also established to promote cultural development.
A governor's office in charge of making and executing policy, and a provincial officers' government in charge of civil and financial administration, were set up in 1886. The governor's office was later demolished to allow street-widening, while the provincial officers' government building was converted into the city hall. Some parts of the building were moved to the Botanical Garden and the Zoo. When Shao Yu-lian was appointed as Governor of Taiwan, he advised the Manchu court to make Taipei the provincial capital because of its large-scale business operation and transportation facilities. In 1894, the report was approved, and Tang Ching-sun succeeded Shao as Governor. When the Sino-Japanese War broke out, the people of Taiwan set up a "Taiwan Democratic Government." Tang was designated as president, and a cabinet and parliament were organized. Tang was soon deposed by the Japanese army, however.
During the Japanese occupation, the sewerage system and roads in Chengchung district were further developed. In 1916, after eight years of construction, the Taiwan governor's prefecture building was completed. The five-story building, covering an area of 2,000 pings, accommodates some l,000 government employees. The building was later reconstructed by the Central Government to become the Presidential Office.
The Taiwan Provincial Museum located in Taipei New Park was originally a temple. The two-story Doric-style building, covering a land area of some 500 pings, was completed in 1915 after two years of construction. In addition to galleries for the exhibition of paintings, photographs and sculpture pieces, the museum has a comprehensive reference library.
Taipei New Park, covering an area of 24,000 pings in the district, become one of the best parks in Taipei. In addition to fountains, pavilions, fishponds, an arch bridge, open-air music hall, tennis courts, children's playground, radio station and museum, the park has two ceremonial arches, one in honor of Hung Teng-yun, and the other honoring a chaste woman.
Taipei courthouse, whose construction started in 1929 and was finished in 1943, covers a total land area of 5,100 pings. The Taipei Railway Station, construction of which started in 1938 and was completed in 1940, was built side-by-side with the highway bus stations to facilitate transportation islandwide. Construction of the Taipei Post Office was started in 1926 and completed in 1930. The National Taiwan University Hospital, one of the best in Taiwan, was originally built around 1897, and expanded in 1911. The rapid social and economic development in Taiwan has created a continuously increasing need for residential, commercial and industrial construction. Replacing the one- and two-storied buildings of the past are concrete high-rises up to 19 stories, housing modern offices, movie theaters, restaurants and hotels.
Most of the government organizations are also located in Chengchung district, a fact which also brought in population to help boost development. Another outstanding feature is the Chunghua Bazaar which houses all kinds of shops, restaurants and medical centers in a street eight blocks long. It is only natural that, today, Chengchung District has become the shopping and commercial center of Taipei.
[Picture Caption]
(1) The majestic Presidential Office building; (2) a view of Kuei-yang Street about 70 or 80 years ago; (3) Ching-fu Gate, one of the few relics remaining in Chengchung District; (4) The Taipei Municipal First Girls' High School, established on the site of the old Wen miao (or culture temple), is one of the most prestigious girls' high schools in Taiwan. Modern buildings in Taipei include (5) the Municipal Junior Teachers' College for Women; and (6) The Judicial office Building on the site of the old Wu miao (or martial temple).
(1) The College of Law in the National Taiwan University Hospital; (2) Cheng Kung High School; (3) Hong Tao Junior Middle School; (4) College of Medicine in the National Taiwan University Hospital; (5) The sundial in front of the Taipei New Park (6) which is a favorite retreat for Taipei citizens; (7) A polished bronze statue of an ox in front of the Taiwan Provincial Museum; (8) The office building of the Taiwan Telecommunications Administration (TTA) in Jenai Road; (9) National Taiwan University Hospital.
(1) The Tien Ho Kung (Temple) in Chengtu Road in downtown Taipei. (2) A newly opened department store, the Lion's Plaza. (3) Numerous department stores in the center of Chengchung district. (4) A famous restaurant in Wuchang St. which has a reputation for outstanding roast duck.
A multi-story parking lot established in Omei Street.
Wuchang St., famous for its concentration of movie theaters.
A set of five pictures from left showing (1) thirty-four years ago, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, a crowd of people gathered in the Taipei City Hall square. After undergoing renovation and reconstruction on several occasions, the City Hall has become a meeting center for Taipei citizens. Contrast between (2) Hengyang Road (3) Po Ai Road and (4) the governor's office. (5) A ceremonial arch in honor of philanthropist Hung Teng-yun, was moved from Heng Yang Road to Taipei New Park.
A vendor offers a colorful windmill toy for children in downtown Taipei;(2) road and pedestrian traffic is heavy in Chengchung District; (3) Hsinsheng Movie Theater; (4) the section of Chunghsiao W. Road in front of the Taipei Railway Station is a hub islandwide communications; (5) the sparkling neon lights in Hsimenting (West Gate area).
（4） College of Medicine in the National Taiwan University Hospital;.
（1） The College of Law in the National Taiwan University Hospital;.
（2） Cheng Kung High School;.
（3） Hong Tao Junior Middle School;.
（5） The sundial in front of the Taipei New Park.
（6） which is a favorite retreat for Taipei citizens;.
（7） A polished bronze statue of an ox in front of the Taiwan Provincial Museum;.
（8） The office building of the Taiwan Telecommunications Administration （TTA） in Jenai Road;.
（9） National Taiwan University Hospital.
（1） The Tien Ho Kung （Temple） in Chengtu Road in downtown Taipei.
（2） A newly opened department store, the Lion's Plaza.
（3） Numerous department stores in the center of Chengchung district.
（4） A famous restaurant in Wuchang St. which has a reputation for outstanding roast duck.
A multi-story parking lot established in Omei Street.
Wuchang St., famous for its concentration of movie theaters.
A set of five pictures from left showing (1) thirty-four years ago, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, a crowd of people gathered in the Taipei City Hall square. After undergoing renovation and reconstruction on several occasions, the City Hall has become a meeting center for Taipei citizens. Contrast between (2) Hengyang Road (3) Po Ai Road and (4) the governor's office. (5) A ceremonial arch in honor of philanthropist Hung Teng-yun, was moved from Heng Yang Road to Taipei New Park.
A set of five pictures from left showing (1) thirty-four years ago, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, a crowd of people gathered in the Taipei City Hall square. After undergoing renovation and reconstruction on several occasions, the City Hall has become a meeting center for Taipei citizens. Contrast between (2) Hengyang Road (3) Po Ai Road and (4) the governor's office. (5) A ceremonial arch in honor of philanthropist Hung Teng-yun, was moved from Heng Yang Road to Taipei New Park.
A set of five pictures from left showing (1) thirty-four years ago, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, a crowd of people gathered in the Taipei City Hall square. After undergoing renovation and reconstruction on several occasions, the City Hall has become a meeting center for Taipei citizens. Contrast between (2) Hengyang Road (3) Po Ai Road and (4) the governor's office. (5) A ceremonial arch in honor of philanthropist Hung Teng-yun, was moved from Heng Yang Road to Taipei New Park.
A set of five pictures from left showing (1) thirty-four years ago, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, a crowd of people gathered in the Taipei City Hall square. After undergoing renovation and reconstruction on several occasions, the City Hall has become a meeting center for Taipei citizens. Contrast between (2) Hengyang Road (3) Po Ai Road and (4) the governor's office. (5) A ceremonial arch in honor of philanthropist Hung Teng-yun, was moved from Heng Yang Road to Taipei New Park.
A set of five pictures from left showing (1) thirty-four years ago, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, a crowd of people gathered in the Taipei City Hall square. After undergoing renovation and reconstruction on several occasions, the City Hall has become a meeting center for Taipei citizens. Contrast between (2) Hengyang Road (3) Po Ai Road and (4) the governor's office. (5) A ceremonial arch in honor of philanthropist Hung Teng-yun, was moved from Heng Yang Road to Taipei New Park.
A set of five pictures from left showing (1) thirty-four years ago, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, a crowd of people gathered in the Taipei City Hall square. After undergoing renovation and reconstruction on several occasions, the City Hall has become a meeting center for Taipei citizens. Contrast between (2) Hengyang Road (3) Po Ai Road and (4) the governor's office. (5) A ceremonial arch in honor of philanthropist Hung Teng-yun, was moved from Heng Yang Road to Taipei New Park.
A set of five pictures from left showing (1) thirty-four years ago, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, a crowd of people gathered in the Taipei City Hall square. After undergoing renovation and reconstruction on several occasions, the City Hall has become a meeting center for Taipei citizens. Contrast between (2) Hengyang Road (3) Po Ai Road and (4) the governor's office. (5) A ceremonial arch in honor of philanthropist Hung Teng-yun, was moved from Heng Yang Road to Taipei New Park.
A set of five pictures from left showing (1) thirty-four years ago, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, a crowd of people gathered in the Taipei City Hall square. After undergoing renovation and reconstruction on several occasions, the City Hall has become a meeting center for Taipei citizens. Contrast between (2) Hengyang Road (3) Po Ai Road and (4) the governor's office. (5) A ceremonial arch in honor of philanthropist Hung Teng-yun, was moved from Heng Yang Road to Taipei New Park.
A set of five pictures from left showing (1) thirty-four years ago, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, a crowd of people gathered in the Taipei City Hall square. After undergoing renovation and reconstruction on several occasions, the City Hall has become a meeting center for Taipei citizens. Contrast between (2) Hengyang Road (3) Po Ai Road and (4) the governor's office. (5) A ceremonial arch in honor of philanthropist Hung Teng-yun, was moved from Heng Yang Road to Taipei New Park.
A set of five pictures from left showing (1) thirty-four years ago, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, a crowd of people gathered in the Taipei City Hall square. After undergoing renovation and reconstruction on several occasions, the City Hall has become a meeting center for Taipei citizens. Contrast between (2) Hengyang Road (3) Po Ai Road and (4) the governor's office. (5) A ceremonial arch in honor of philanthropist Hung Teng-yun, was moved from Heng Yang Road to Taipei New Park.
A vendor offers a colorful windmill toy for children in downtown Taipei;.
（2） road and pedestrian traffic is heavy in Chengchung District;.
（3） Hsinsheng Movie Theater;.
（4） the section of Chunghsiao W. Road in front of the Taipei Railway Station is a hub islandwide communications;.
（5） the sparkling neon lights in Hsimenting （West Gate area）.
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