Xinhua District, Tainan

Xinhua District in Tainan City
Xinhua District
Xinhua District office
Xinhua District, Tainan
Chinese 新化區

Xinhua District (Chinese: 新化區; Hanyu Pinyin: Xīnhuà Qū; Tongyong Pinyin: Sinhuà Cyu; Wade–Giles: Hsin1-hua4 Ch'ü1) or Sinhua District is a suburban district in central Tainan, Taiwan.

History

Before the Dutch and Han Chinese invaded, this region was home to a community of Taiwanese aborigines, the Siraya. In 1624, the VOC occupied Tayuan (modern day Anping, Tainan).

In the past, the Siraya indigenous tribe called this place Tavocan ("land of hill and forest"). Tavakan was a village of about a thousand people; the name was also written Taffacan, Tavocan, Tavacang, and Davocan in Dutch records.[1] The village grew into the market-town of Twa-bak-kang (Chinese: 大目降; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tōa-ba̍k-kàng),[2] about 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of Sin-kang (modern-day Xinshi).

After 1627, the VOC sent missionaries into neighboring districts. In 1635, George Candidius, a Dutch pastor, advised Pieter Nuyts, the leader of the Dutch VOC in Taiwan, that the VOC would have to conquer the aborigines before they could be controlled. In 1636, eighteen tribal groups, including the inhabitants of Tavocan, submitted to Dutch rule.

Since the early part of the 20th century, Xinhua has been an important fruit wholesaling center. Around 1920, dozens of baroque-influenced store buildings were constructed along what is now Jhongjheng Road. Most of these buildings survive in good condition, and the street, known as "Xinhua Old Street," has become a tourist attraction.

The Taiwan High Speed Rail track passes through the western part of the township; no station is planned, however.

The eastern half of the township lies within the Siraya National Scenic Area.

Geography

Much of the township is rural, with large areas devoted to pineapple cultivation. Xinhua is located on Taiwan Highway No. 20, also known as the Southern Cross-Island Highway, and Freeway Nos. 3 and 8. It borders Yongkang City, Shanshang, Xinshi and Guanmiao townships.

Institutions

Education

Special School

Senior High Schools

Junior High Schools

Tourist attractions

Notable natives

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Xinhua District, Tainan.

References

  1. ↑ Campbell, William (1903). "Explanatory Notes". Formosa under the Dutch: described from contemporary records, with explanatory notes and a bibliography of the island. London: Kegan Paul. p. 548. OCLC 644323041.
  2. ↑ "Entry #40013 (大目降)". 臺灣閩南語常用詞辭典 [Dictionary of Frequently-Used Taiwan Minnan] (in Chinese and Hokkien). Ministry of Education, R.O.C. 2011.

Coordinates: 23°2′18″N 120°18′39″E / 23.03833°N 120.31083°E / 23.03833; 120.31083

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