Tsoying

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Tsoying (Traditional Chinese: 左營; Simplified Chinese: 左营; Hanyu Pinyin: Zuoying; Wade-Giles: Tsuo-ying, POJ: Chó-iâⁿ) is a district in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, governed by the Republic of China (ROC).

Tsoying was established in the mid-seventeenth century as a military fortress, known as Old Fengshan (also Old Fongshan). It is now the site of Tsoying Harbour, known formerly as Port Saei. 'Sa-ei' is the Japanese On'yomi (Chinese reading) of the city's name in Chinese characters, but was romanized as 'Tsoying' after World War II by American Naval Consultants. It is host to Tsoying Naval Airfield (22°42′16″N, 120°16′48″E) and the Republic of China Navy's Tsoying Naval Yard, Taiwan's largest naval base. Villages near the naval base are comprised of single-story houses, uncommon in most Taiwan cities. These villages were first populated by soldiers of the Chinese Nationalist Party that came from different provinces of mainland China and gathered here because of losing the Chinese Civil War between Communist Party of China and the Chinese Nationalist Party. The ROC National Government provided these veteran serviceman with these single-story houses. These residential areas belonged to the navy and were under military control at that time. Therefore, people outside could not enter villages without martial permission. Without interferences from outside, the culture of villages has embodies that of different provinces of mainland China.

Tsoying's Lotus Lake is one of the major tourist attractions of southern Taiwan. This beautiful man-made lake is situated between Kueishan (Turtle Mountain) and Panpingshan (Half-screen Mountain). The Spring and Autumn Pavilions, Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, and Confucius Temple dot its shoreline. The Confucius Temple is the largest Confucius temple in Taiwan. The historic gates of the Old Fengshan city wall are also nearby.

There is a Mountain "Chai-Shan" (Mt. Monkey), full of Rhesus Monkeys and many tropical plants, and a good training base of marine corps.

Area: 19.39 km²
Population: 176,565 people (2003)

[edit] Transportation

Currently a stop on the Western Line of the Taiwan Railway Administration.

The Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) will also serve the city when it begins passenger services in late 2005. Once completed, the Zuoying HSR Station Area will serve as a transportation hub for the greater Kaohsiung metropolitan area.

Tsoying is also the name of a Chinese Destroyer, the former USS KIDD.