West Gate

title:Westgate

artist:Pan and Chen ( team members )

West Gate was built in 1825.  During the Drung Chuan Civil War, the Drungs defended themselves behind this gate, blocking the Chuans from attacking them.  This used to be the front gate of Chee Shan Rock, and went under reconstruction in 1900.

West Gate is the only gate that preserved its original shape in the entire Taipei city, and thus it is declared a level 3 artifact.

The guarding God of West Gate is the Snakefrog Rock.  Legend has it that the stonesnake guarded the gate under orders of the Kai King, with the snakehead facing the gate.

Some say that the frog in front of the snake looks like a fleeing frog because the old saying goes: centipedes are afraid of frogs, frogs are afraid of snakes, snakes are afraid of centipedes, forming a delicate food chain.  It has been said that there are many centipedes near the stonesnake, thus the snake asked the frog to come and help him guard the gate.  Centipedes are afraid of frogs because when they touch frog piss by accident, their legs fall off!  Therefore, the frog is actually the snakes comrade, not his prey.

snakefrog stone is an unique geological sight near Chee Shan Rock -- a big rock that has entirely fallen off its original place.  Stacked on top of the other, it resembles the head of a snake, and the smaller rock in front of it looks much like a crouching frog. Rocks like these are seen throughout this area.

The original purpose of this gate is to protect civilians against invading Chuans, and thus it was built with rocks and is really strong an steady, with structures that are suitable for firing canonballs and set up firearms.

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