Attraction sites特色
Currently only the Ai Gate in Houche Lane left. This Ai Gate was built in the 10th year of Emperor Daoguang in Qing Dynasty (1830). The height is about 3.3 meters and the width is about 2.7 meters. The writing on the lintel is “Men Ying Hou Che.”
In early days, Lukang experienced many times of war turmoil and armed fights caused by people from Quanzhou and Zhangzhou for distinguishing their territories. For maintaining the area’s safety, local businessmen and gentry established Ai Gate at borders of all the corners in Lukang as the fortifications. Every day when it became dusk, people would close Ai Gate to prevent the invasion of thieves and bandits.
Besides defending bandits, the function of Ai Gate also included being the border of gangster or tribes territories, distinguished by native place, blood relationship, or commercial interests. Lukang’s Ai Gate can be divided into three types, boundary Ai Gate, roadway Ai Gate, and Bujiantian St.’s Ai Gate.
1.Boundary Ai Gate: was set at the periphery. At the top of Ai Gate, a gun tower was set to also have the function of observation.
2.Roadway Ai Gate: Is inside Lukang street area’s roadways. Those were defense facilities for all gangsters.
3.Bujiantian St.’s Ai Gate: Is at Lukang’s Wufu DaJie (today’s Zhongshan Rd.) Those were Lukang’s main business streets in Qing Dynasty. Several Ai Gate was established.
1.Boundary Ai Gate: was set at the periphery. At the top of Ai Gate, a gun tower was set to also have the function of observation.
2.Roadway Ai Gate: Is inside Lukang street area’s roadways. Those were defense facilities for all gangsters.
3.Bujiantian St.’s Ai Gate: Is at Lukang’s Wufu DaJie (today’s Zhongshan Rd.) Those were Lukang’s main business streets in Qing Dynasty. Several Ai Gate was established.
