The Meinong Village East Gate Tower was originally set in the early Meinong (formerly known as Meinong Village) area as one of its main entrances. The Hakka people, who put heavy emphasis on knowledge and education, converted this entry into a gatehouse. The gate is aligned with Writing Peak in Pingtung County’s South Dawu Mountain range, with the words "Inspire Literacy" written by a village Jinshi engraved and mounted over the threshold, in hope that this will encourage literary talent.
The modern-day Meinong Village East Gate Tower structure may differ from the original Qing Dynasty architecture, but its representation of Hakka cultural literacy and historical context highlights the spiritual value and importance of this gate.
003 美濃／瀰濃庄東門樓
瀰濃庄東門樓原是早期美濃（舊稱瀰濃庄）地區設置的一處柵門，是瀰濃庄出入門戶之一。之後，素來注重知識教育的客家人，為期待庄中文人輩出，將東柵門改建為門樓，讓此處可與屏東南大武山的文筆峰遙望，並有庄內進士在東門樓揮毫「大啟文明」四字，雕刻後置於門楣上。
據聞當年的東門樓屋頂是龍閣鳳椽，用綠色琉璃瓦蓋成；樓上供奉文昌帝君石像，並刻有太白星君及關聖覽春秋像，有祈願全庄青年，文武雙全、聰明智慧與伶俐的寓意。今日的瀰濃庄東門樓雖然已與清代興建之初形式多有不同，但其背後象徵的客家文化素養與歷史脈絡，凸顯了這座門樓的重要精神價值。
文／黃于津