| Xinhua District, Tainan | |||||||||||||
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| Chinese | 新化 | ||||||||||||
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Xinhua is a suburban suburban in central Tainan, Taiwan. In the past, the Siraya indigenous tribe called this place Tavocan (Chinese: 大目降; pinyin: Dàmùjiàng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tāi-ba̍k-kàng; literally "the land of hill and forest").
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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). After 1627, the VOC sent missionaries into neighboring districts. In 1635, Candidus, a Dutch pastor, advised Nuyts, the leader of the 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 Livestock Research Institute is located in Xinhua, northeast of the downtown.
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.
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.
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