Meinong District
22.9120.54Koordinaten: 22 ° 54 'N, 120 ° 32 ' E
Meinong, (Chinese:美浓 区Meinong qū, Hakka: Mì -Nung KHI) is a district of Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan. Most of the approximately 42,000 inhabitants of Meinong (2011 ) belong to the ethnic group of the Hakka. The more rural district is strongly influenced by the traditional culture of the Hakka and a popular destination for tourists.
Geography and climate
Meinong is located northeast of the city proper core Kaohsiung. It is bordered to the west by the District Qishan, on the north by the district Shanlin, on the east by the district Liugui and the south and southeast of the county Pingdong. Meinong is topographically an area surrounded by mountains and traversed by many watercourses plane that passes into Pingdong level to the south. The district covers about 15 km from north to south and about 9 km from west to east, with a total area of 120.0316 km ². There is a hot humid tropical monsoon climate. With an average annual temperature of 23 degrees, the annual rainfall comprises approximately 1,500 to 2,000 millimeters.
History
On the origin of the name Meinong, there are different explanations. One widespread view, the name might come from the place name Malang from the Aboriginal language formerly resident there. It was in the 18th century in the language of immigrant Hakka Minung (弥 浓). During the Japanese rule over Taiwan, the letters to the present form was美浓(high Chinese pronunciation: Meinong ) changed.
As part of a wave of immigrants from mainland China during the 18th century, many Chinese people, mostly members of the Hakka ethnic group came, according to Meinong, whose soil was fertile and well suited thanks to the abundant water resources of the region for agricultural development. During this period in Meinong many Sanheyuan (三合院, traditional Chinese Homesteads, whose layout resembles a horseshoe or a U with square corners ), of which a few are still preserved.
In the 20th century Meinong acquired primarily as tobacco -growing region importance.
Tourism
Meinong is one of the four so-called " Hakka areas " of the city of Kaoshiung. The beautiful landscape and the traditional Hakka culture Meinong pull all year many tourists and day-trippers.
Attractions
Meinong has many cultural attractions of more than two hundred years of history. Is the surviving archway of the house of tobacco magnate Lin Chun- Yu at the oldest and busiest street formerly Yong -An. The colors of the bricks and ceramic on the arc have faded, but the facade is still an inscription about the prosperity of the family to see.
Another popular photo object is the old East Gate of Meinong from the year 1755.
The Hakka Culture Museum of Meinong (美浓 文物 馆Meinong Wenwu Guan ) is modeled on cultivation and production of tobacco and other products architecturally farm buildings. In the exhibition hall is an exhibition on the history Meinong is.
Traditional crafts
Popular souvenirs include oil paper umbrellas, which have been exported to foreign countries already during the Japanese colonial period. The beautiful umbrellas protect against both rain and sun before. Since the Hakka language " have children " is the name of the screens similar sounds, they are traditionally a popular wedding gift for newly married couples to wish these rich blessing of children.
To date, in Meinong traditional dark blue shirts, a typical Hakka clothing manufactured. Stand the plain fabric earlier for the diligence and frugality of the Hakka, and today it is also a popular souvenir for visitors Meinong.
Traditional Cuisine
The relatively good environmental and water quality in Meinong have an advantageous effect on the cultivation of rice, vegetables and fruit. Rice from Meinong is praised as one of the " ten -quality specialties from Kaohsiung ". A well-known rice product are the flat Bantiao noodles that can be found in many shops and restaurants of Meinong and especially in the Meixing Street.