Beigang, Yunlin

Beigang Township
北港鎮
Hokkō
Street leading to Chaotian Temple
Street leading to Chaotian Temple
Beigang Township in Yunlin County
Beigang Township in Yunlin County
Beigang Township 北港鎮 is located in Taiwan
Beigang Township 北港鎮
Beigang Township
北港鎮
Coordinates: 23°34′N 120°18′E / 23.567°N 120.300°E / 23.567; 120.300
LocationYunlin County, Taiwan
Area
 • Total41 km2 (16 sq mi)
Population
 (February 2023)
 • Total37,763
 • Density920/km2 (2,400/sq mi)
Beigang, Yunlin
Chinese北港
Literal meaningNorth Port
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyinběi gǎng[1]
Southern Min
Hokkien POJPak-káng

Beigang, Hokkō or Peikang is an urban township in Yunlin County, Taiwan. It is primarily known for its Chaotian Temple, one of the most prominent Temples of Mazu on Taiwan.[2] It has a population of 37,763 as of February 2023.[3]

Geography

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Map including Beigang (labeled as Hokkō) (1944)
Map including Beigang (labeled as Pei-chiang (Hokkō) 北港) (1950)

The Beigang River borders the town on the east and south.

History

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Dutch Formosa

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During the Dutch era, Ponkan (Chinese: 笨港; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Pùn-káng) was an important coastal castle.[4] In 1621, Pedro Yan Shiqi (顏思齊) from Zhangzhou, Fujian and his forces occupied Ponkan (modern-day Beigang) and started to develop Tsulosan (諸羅山; today's Chiayi City), which grew to become the capital of Tsulo County in 1704.

Administrative divisions

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The township comprises 28 villages: Caohu, Dabei, Datong, Fupan, Fuzhao, Gongguan, Gongrong, Gouzao, Guangfu, Guangmin, Haoshou, Hougou, Huasheng, Liucuo, Nanan, Pangou, Renan, Renhe, Shuipu, Shujiao, Sifu, Tunghua, Tungyang, Xincuo, Xinjie, Xishi, Yimin and Zhonghe.

Education

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Universities

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The China Medical University has a branch in Beigang.

Beigang is only a short drive (approximately fifteen minutes by car) from National Chung Cheng University, one of Taiwan's foremost research universities.

High Schools

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  • National Beigang Senior High School
  • National Pei-Kang Agricultural & Industrial Vocational High School
  • Jiu Ren High School

Junior High Schools

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  • Peikang Junior High School
  • Jianguo Junior High School

Tourist attractions

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The Beigang Tourist Bridge is 450m long and 6m wide. The three bridge arches are said to resemble the body of a dragon.[5]
  • Beigang Sports Park: Beigang Sports Park has a history of 50 years, and was previously a venue for track & field athletics. After renovation, a white sand pit was added for children.[citation needed]
  • Zhongshan Road: The old street surrounding Beigang Chaotian Temple, surrounded by many well-known specialty shops and snack bars.[citation needed]
  • Nui Hui Morning Market: A gathering place where cows were regularly sold in the morning. Nui Hui Morning Market has a history of more than 100 years and has now become a large vegetable market.[citation needed]

Local cuisine specialities

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  • Beigang Wedding Cakes (traditional wedding cakes) are popular souvenirs in Beigang. There are many flavors, both salty and sweet. Many married couples will come to buy wedding cakes, and ordinary tourists will take them home as snacks.
  • Peanuts and broad beans

Cultural activities

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Transportation

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Beigang Bus Station
  • Beigang Bus Station

Notable natives

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Climate

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Climate data for Beigang, Yunlin (2016–2023 normals, extremes 2016–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 28.9
(84.0)
31.7
(89.1)
31.2
(88.2)
32.2
(90.0)
34.6
(94.3)
34.7
(94.5)
35.4
(95.7)
35.3
(95.5)
35.5
(95.9)
34.6
(94.3)
32.1
(89.8)
29.8
(85.6)
35.5
(95.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 21.4
(70.5)
21.9
(71.4)
25.0
(77.0)
27.7
(81.9)
30.2
(86.4)
31.8
(89.2)
32.8
(91.0)
32.3
(90.1)
32.2
(90.0)
30.0
(86.0)
27.3
(81.1)
23.0
(73.4)
28.0
(82.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 17.0
(62.6)
17.3
(63.1)
20.4
(68.7)
23.5
(74.3)
26.5
(79.7)
28.3
(82.9)
29.1
(84.4)
28.6
(83.5)
28.2
(82.8)
25.6
(78.1)
22.8
(73.0)
18.8
(65.8)
23.8
(74.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 14.3
(57.7)
14.5
(58.1)
17.1
(62.8)
20.4
(68.7)
23.7
(74.7)
25.5
(77.9)
26.2
(79.2)
25.9
(78.6)
25.4
(77.7)
22.7
(72.9)
19.9
(67.8)
16.1
(61.0)
21.0
(69.8)
Record low °C (°F) 4.7
(40.5)
8.2
(46.8)
10.1
(50.2)
12.6
(54.7)
15.6
(60.1)
22.3
(72.1)
22.6
(72.7)
23.0
(73.4)
21.5
(70.7)
15.7
(60.3)
12.4
(54.3)
8.5
(47.3)
4.7
(40.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 33.4
(1.31)
22.8
(0.90)
52.5
(2.07)
67.4
(2.65)
140.6
(5.54)
284.5
(11.20)
138.7
(5.46)
280.7
(11.05)
91.8
(3.61)
19.7
(0.78)
11.6
(0.46)
31.1
(1.22)
1,174.8
(46.25)
Average precipitation days 5.1 4.0 5.7 5.7 8.9 12.9 11.3 14.2 5.8 2.8 2.2 3.3 81.9
Average relative humidity (%) 81.3 80.6 79.3 79.0 81.9 82.5 80.5 83.2 79.4 78.3 80.1 78.5 80.4
Source 1: Central Weather Administration[6]
Source 2: Atmospheric Science Research and Application Databank (precipitation days and humidity 2015–2024)[7]

References

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  1. ^ 教育部重編國語辭典修訂本 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 18 November 2019. 字詞 【北港鎮】 注音 ㄅㄟˇ ㄍㄤˇ ㄓㄣˋ 漢語拼音 běi gǎng zhèn
  2. ^ Keeling, Stephen (2013), "Beigang", The Rough Guide to Taiwan, Rough Guides, ISBN 9781409350613.
  3. ^ "雲林縣戶政入口資訊網-統計資訊-鄉鎮市人口數". Household Registration Services of Yunlin County. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Historical Evolution". The Roots of Yunlin. Yunlin County Government. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Cultural Tours in Yunlin - Beigang Tourist Bridge". yunlin.gov.tw. Yunlin County Gov't. 3 August 2015. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  6. ^ "月報表(逐日資料) : 北港 (C0K410)". Central Weather Administration. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  7. ^ "中央氣象署 測站氣候資料 : 雲林北港 C0K410". Atmospheric Science Research and Application Databank. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
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