Zheng Chenggong (Zhèng Chénggōng, 郑成功), known to the West as Koxinga (transliterated into Chinese as 国姓爷, Guóxìngyé), is a Ming Dynasty icon, still celebrated in China today as a national hero.
Depending on who you ask, Koxinga was either a ruthless and brutal pirate ruffian or a heroic soldier brimming with charisma and loyalty to the Ming. No matter which school of thought you subscribe to, it was Koxinga who led Chinese troops to victory over the Dutch East India Company for control of Taiwan in 1662, thereby ending almost four decades of Dutch occupancy. Later, Koxinga reinforced his popular nationalist image by his continued resistance to the Manchu invaders that became the Qing Dynasty.
The Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall (Zhèng Chénggōng Jìniànguǎn, 郑成功纪念馆) commemorates his famous victory, along with other significant events in Koxinga's life. A collection of swords, stone inscriptions and bronze cannon are on display while a jade belt said to be worn by Koxinga is proudly exhibited as the hall's focal point.
A large statue of Koxinga is also located nearby.
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