Taoyuan County, Taiwan
| Taoyuan County 桃園縣 Abbreviation(s): Taoyuan (桃園) | |||
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| County | |||
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| Coordinates: 24°59′28.6″N 121°18′51.58″E / 24.991278°N 121.3143278°ECoordinates: 24°59′28.6″N 121°18′51.58″E / 24.991278°N 121.3143278°E | |||
| Country | Taiwan | ||
| Region | Northwestern Taiwan | ||
| Seat | Taoyuan City | ||
| Largest city | Taoyuan City | ||
| Boroughs | 5 cities, 8 (1 urban, 7 rural) townships | ||
| Government | |||
| • County Magistrate | John Wu | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 1,220.9540 km2 (471.4130 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | 14 of 22 | ||
| Population (June 2010) | |||
| • Total | 2,003,078 | ||
| • Rank | 3 of 22 | ||
| • Density | 1,600/km2 (4,200/sq mi) | ||
| Website | www.tycg.gov.tw (English) | ||
| Symbols | |||
| Bird |
Formosan blue magpie (Urocissa caerulea) | ||
| Flower | Peach blossom | ||
| Tree | Peach tree | ||
| Taoyuan County, Taiwan | |||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 桃园县 | ||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 桃園縣 | ||||||||||||
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Taoyuan County (Chinese: 桃園縣; pinyin: Táoyuán Xiàn) is a county in northwestern Taiwan near New Taipei, Hsinchu County, and Yilan County. Taoyuan City is the county seat. Including Zhongli, the county is a large metropolitan area, home to many industrial parks and tech company headquarters. Taoyuan County developed from a satellite city of Taipei metropolitan area to be the fourth largest metropolitan area in Taiwan. Taoyuan County's easy commute to New Taipei and Taipei City causes it to be the most immigrated county in Taiwan.
"Taoyuan" means "garden of peach", since the area used to have many peach blossoms. Taoyuan is the native home to the Pingpu tribe of Aborigines. It is now an important industrial region of Taiwan. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, which serves Taipei and northern Taiwan, is located in this county.
On 25 December 2014, Taoyuan County will be reorganised as a special municipality named Taoyuan City (桃園市), while the original county-controlled Taoyuan City will become Taoyuan District.[1]
Administration
Taoyuan County is divided into five cities, one urban township and seven rural townships. Taoyuan County has the highest number of cities in Taiwan. It also has the least number of urban townships in Taiwan.
| Romanised name | Land Area | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Cities | ||
| Bade City (八德市) | 33.71 | 177,673 |
| Pingzhen City (平鎮市) | 47.75 | 208,734 |
| Taoyuan City (桃園市) | 34.80 | 411,396 |
| Yangmei City (楊梅市) | 89.12 | 153,634 |
| Zhongli City (中壢市) | 76.52 | 377,973 |
| Urban township | ||
| Daxi Township (大溪鎮) | 105.14 | 91,978 |
| Rural townships | ||
| Dayuan Township (大園鄉) | 87.39 | 82,333 |
| Fuxing Township (復興鄉) | 350.78 | 10,604 |
| Guanyin Township (觀音鄉) | 87.98 | 61,935 |
| Guishan Township (龜山鄉) | 72.01 | 137,256 |
| Longtan Township (龍潭鄉) | 75.23 | 115,989 |
| Luzhu Township (蘆竹鄉) | 75.50 | 144,765 |
| Xinwu Township (新屋鄉) | 85.02 | 48,581 |
History
Early History
Anciently, the Taoyuan plateau was the home of the Pingpu aboriginal tribe. In prehistory, the Ketagalan Tribe of the Pingpu Aboriginal Tribe settled in Nankan (南崁). In the early years of Dutch colonization, Spanish colonization, and Cheng He of the Ming Dynasty, there were no large-scale cultivation or industrial activities. During the Qing Dynasty, a number of people from Fujian Province and Guangdong province began to immigrate into present-day Taoyuan to develop and farm the land. They planted peach trees, which, when fully bloomed in spring, were so beautiful that the people named the land "Taoziyuan" (桃仔園) which in Chinese means "Peach Garden", which became the present name Taoyuan.
Japanese occupation (1885–1945)
During the Japanese occupation, the staged migration policy of the Japanese government caused Taoyuan City to develop into a city with a variety of cultures. For example, temples and worshipping paths (currently the Taoyuan Martyrs Shrine) symbolized cultural systems. Wude Temple (武德殿) was used to represent military systems, and the old Taoyuan City Office signified political systems. Taoyuan Area was a part of Shinchiku Prefecture during this time.
Republic of China (1945-present)
In 1950, Taoyuan County was established by Republic of China government. At the edge of the Greater Taipei Region, this caused some structural and life-style changes within its society. Trade prosperity in recent years and the proliferation of job opportunities helped Taoyuan develop into a major economic district in Northern Taiwan. Population has increased ever since. As part of the Ten Major Construction Projects pursued by the government in the 1970s, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport opened on February 26, 1979. With large numbers of passengers and increasing freight transport, Taoyuan International Airport is now the most important international gateway to Taiwan.
On 25 December 2014, the government plans for Taoyuan County to be reorganised as a special municipality named Taoyuan City (桃園市).
Ethnic groups
Hoklo people
Many Hoklo people live in the "North Taoyuan (北桃園)" region of Taoyuan County, which includes Taoyuan City, Bade City, Daxi Township, Dayuan Township, Guishan Township and Luzhu Township.
Hakka people
Many Hakka people live in the "South Taoyuan (南桃園)" region of the county, which includes Zhongli City, Pingzhen City, Yangmei City, Longtan Township, Guanyin Township and Xinwu Township. With over 785,000 Hakka people, Taoyuan County has the most in Taiwan.
Emigrated from mainland China
Many people emigrated from mainland China to Taoyuan County after the Chinese Civil War along with the KMT government. Most of them live at Military dependents' village in Zhongli, Pingzhen and Guishan. Longgang is well known for immigration from Yunnan, with many Yunnan cuisine restaurants.
Aborigines
Most Taiwan Aborigines in the county live in Fuxing Township, with most of them belonging to the Atayal people.
Economy
On March 26, 2010, China Airlines moved into its new headquarters on the grounds of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and in Dayuan Township in Taoyuan County.[2][3] EVA Air maintains headquarters in Luzhu, Taoyuan County.[4] Evergreen Airlines Services Corporation, Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp., and Evergreen Air Cargo Services Corporation, subsidiaries of Evergreen Group, are headquartered in Dayuan.[5][6][7]
Geography
Taoyuan County is located approximately 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Taipei in northern Taiwan and occupies 1,220 square kilometers. It is made up of low-lying plains, interconnected mountains and plateaus. Its shape has a long and narrow southeast-to-northwest trend, with the southeast in the Xueshan Range and the far end on the shores of the Taiwan Strait.
There are many irrigationponds at Taoyuan Plateau, which has caused Taoyuan County to earn the nickname "Thousand-pond Township" (千塘之鄉).[8]
Mountains over 1500 metres in elevation
- Najie Mountain (Najieshan) 那結山, 1520 m[9]
- Kulushan 庫魯山 (萱源山), 1568 m
- Mawangzenglyu Mountain (Mawangzenglyushan) 馬望曾呂山, 1577 m
- Niaozuei Mountain (Niaozueishan) 鳥嘴山, 1749 m
- Jian Mountain (Jianshan) 復興尖山, 1852 m
- Fufu Mountain (Fufushan) 夫婦山, 1870 m
- Meigueisimo Mountain (Meigueisimoshan) 玫瑰西魔山, 1871 m
- Leng Mountain (Lengshan) 稜山, 1889 m
- Luping Mountain (Lupingshan) quri-lupi 盧平山, 1905 m
- Nanchatian Mountain (Nanchatianshan) quri-nagu 南插天山, 1907 m
- Lidong Mountain (Lidongshan) 李棟山, 1914 m
- Lala Mountain (Lalashan) R'ra 拉拉山, 2030 m
- Tangsuei Mountain (Tangsueishan) 唐穗山, 2090 m
- Babokulu Mountain (Babokulushan) 巴博庫魯山, 2101 m
- Taman Mountain (Tamanshan) quri tmang 塔曼山, 2130 m
- Dilu Mountain (Dilushan) 低陸山, 2160 m
- Yufong Mountain (Yufongshan) 玉峰山, 2300 m
- Siciouish Mountain (Siciousihshan) 西丘斯山, 2427 m
- Xuebai Mountain (Xuebaishan) 雪白山, 2444 m
Northern Cross-Island Highway Footpaths
- 0.0 km – Daxi Old Street 大溪老街
- 1.2 km – Jinmianshan 金面山, Jinshanmianshan 金山面山
- 6.1 km – Cihu 慈湖 – Caolingshan 草嶺山, Baishihshan 白石山, Shicuokengshan 石厝坑山
- 7.5 km – Baiji Tunnel – Sizoushan
- 12.1 km – Sanmin Bat Cave 三民左接
- 16.3 km – Jiaobanshan, Jinpingshan 金平山
- 17.7 km – Dongyanshan 東眼山, Zhihjishan 志繼山
- 20.7 km – Xiao Wulai 小烏來 – Heweishan, Hewei Ancient Trees, Beichatianshan 北插天山, Nanchatianshan 南插天山, Lupaishan, Daishihfushan
- 22.7 km – Luofu – Loma Rd
- 28.2 km – Dawan – Najieshan 那結山
- 31.1 km – Xuewu Tunnel – Fufushan 夫婦山
- 39.9 km – Gaoyi – Yingshan 鷹山
- 46.5 km – Baling Bridge
- 47.4 km – Galahe 嘎拉赫 – Xuebaishan 雪白山, Tangsueishan 唐穗山, Dilushan 低陸山, Yufongshan 玉峰山, Siciousihshan 西丘斯山
- 47.8 km – Shang Baling 上巴陵 – Lalashan 拉拉山, Tamanshan 塔曼山, Meigueisimoshan 玫瑰西魔山, Baling-Fushan Trail 巴福越嶺
- 56.0 km – Kulushan 庫魯山 (萱源山)
- 59.3 km – Jianshan 復興尖山
- 61.5 km – Lengshan 稜山
- 67.0 km – Mingchih 明池 – Babokulushan 巴博庫魯山
Tourism
Shihmen Reservoir
Shihmen Reservoir (石門水庫) is one of Taiwan's major reservoirs. Once the largest water conservancy project in Southeast Asia, visitors may find many restaurants opened near the reservoir serving fresh reservoir fish delicacies. There is also a 3-kilometer-long bicycle track surrounding the back pond. ShiMan Reservoir provides almost all of the water in Taipei City.
Daxi Old Street
Daxi Old Street (大溪老街) is one of the famous Taiwan old streets that used to be a bustling hub for camphor and tea trade, filled with diverse stores with façades designed in a Baroque style.
Cihu Mausoleum
Cihu Mausoleum (慈湖陵寢) is the final resting place of the former president of Republic of China, Chiang Kai-Shek.
Window on China Theme Park
Window on China Theme Park (小人國主題樂園) is one of Taiwan's earliest theme parks, established in 1984. The park consists of 3 areas, including Mini World, Water Park, and an Amusement Park. The park features many small scale replicas of many famous world landmarks.
Lalashan
Lalashan (Mount Lala, 拉拉山) is one of the natural protection zones in Taiwan. There are 500–2800 year old divine trees and the No.5 divine tree, which predates Confucius.
Taoyuan Martyrs Shrine
Taoyuan Martyrs Shrine (桃園忠烈祠) is one of the best-kept Shinto shrines outside of Japan.
Longgang Mosque
The Longgang Mosque (龍岡清真寺) in Zhongli is Taiwan's 5th mosque. It was originally built in 1967 to serve an area with many Taiwanese Muslims.
 ShihMan Reservoir, Taoyuan County |
 Cihu Mausoleum of Chiang Kai-Shek |
Government and Politics
County Magistrate
In 2001, Eric Chu of Kuomintang defeated Democratic Progressive Party incumbent Peng Shao-chin in the race for Taoyuan County magistrate. Peng had inherited the magistrate position after Annette Lu vacated the post to serve as Vice President. Chu ran for re-election in 2005 and defeated DPP challenger Pao-ching Cheng, CEO of the Taiwan Salt Company.
In 2009, John Chih-Yang Wu of KMT defeated his opponent from DPP, Cheng Wen-Chan.
Presidential elections
1996 Presidential election
A majority of Taoyuan County residents voted for eventual winner Lee Teng-hui and vice-president Lien Chan.
2000 Presidential election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | Percentage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | Vice president | ||||
| Independent | James Soong | Chang Chau-hsiung | 413,370 | 43.83% | |
| Kuomintang | Lien Chan | Vincent Siew | 208,881 | 22.15% | |
| New Party | Li Ao | Elmer Fung | 1,140 | 0.12% | |
| Independent | Hsu Hsin-liang | Josephine Chu | 20,581 | 2.18% | |
| Democratic Progressive Party | Chen Shui-bian | Annette Lu | 299,120 | 31.72% | |
2004 Presidential election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | Percentage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | Vice president | ||||
| Democratic Progressive Party | Chen Shui-bian | Annette Lu | 448,770 | 44.68% | |
| Kuomintang | Lien Chan | James Soong | 555,688 | 55.32% | |
2008 Presidential election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | Percentage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | Vice president | ||||
| Democratic Progressive Party | Frank Hsieh | Su Tseng-chang | 379,416 | 35.36% | |
| Kuomintang | Ma Ying-jeou | Vincent Siew | 693,602 | 64.64% | |
2012 Presidential election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | Percentage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | Vice president | ||||
| Democratic Progressive Party | Tsai Ing-wen | Su Jia-chyuan | 445,308 | 39.85% | |
| Kuomintang | Ma Ying-jeou | Wu Den-yih | 639,151 | 57.20% | |
| Independent(or seen as PFP) | James Soong | Lin Ruey-shiung | 32,927 | 2.95% | |
Education
Public universities
- Central Police University
- National Central University
- National Defense University
- National Taiwan Sport University
Private universities
- Chang Gung University
- Ching Yun University
- Chung Yuan Christian University
- Kainan University
- Lunghwa University of Science and Technology
- Vanung University
- Yuan Ze University
Public high schools
- National Chungli High School
- National Neili Senior High School
- National Taoyuan Senior High School
- National Wuling Senior High School
- National Yangmei Senior High School
- National Yangming Senior High School
- Taoyuan County Dasi Senior High School
- Taoyuan County Dayuan International Senior High School
- Taoyuan County Nankan Senior High School
- Taoyuan County Pingjhen Senior High School
- Taoyuan County Shoushan Senior High School
- Taoyuan County Yungfong Senior High School
Junior high schools
See Education in Taoyuan County
Elementary schools
See Education in Taoyuan County
Industry and environment
A former RCA facility is located in Taiwan's northern county of Taoyuan. The RCA facility is the source of significant trichloroethylene contamination.
Sports
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Taoyuan is home to the Lamigo Monkeys, CPBL. Who play their home games at the Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium.
Taoyuan County is also the birthplace of Taiwanese professional golfer Yani Tseng and taekwondo athlete Chu Mu-yen.
International relations
Twin towns — Sister cities
Hartford County, Connecticut, United States (1982)- Alameda, California United States (1977)
Miaoli City, Taiwan (2006)- Dallas County, Texas United States (2007)
Inchon, South Korea (2009)
Transportation
Rail
- Taiwan Railway Administration Western Line
- Taoyuan Taolin Railroad (Linkao Line)
- Taoyuan Taolin Railroad is a railway branch line in Taiwan run by the Taiwan Railway Administration. It is located in Taoyuan County and New Taipei City.
- Taoyuan Station is located at the Qingpu Area (青埔), Zhongli.
Mass Rapid Transit
A rapid transit system is under construction, see Taoyuan Mass Rapid Transit System.
- Lines and stations of Taoyuan MRT System:
| Line | Termini | Length (km) | Total Length (km) | Status | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taoyuan Airport MRT | Taipei | Sanchong | 4.1 | 53.5 | Under construction | ||
| Sanchong | Huanbei | 47.4 | Under construction | ||||
| Huanbei | Zhongli | 2.04 | Planning | ||||
| Blue | Airport Terminal 2 | Huanbei | 17 | 25.4 | Under construction | ||
| Huanbei | Zhongli | 2.04 | Planning | ||||
| Zhongli | Bade | 6.36 | Planning | ||||
| Red | Fengming | Zhongli | 15.95 | 29.3 | Under construction | ||
| Zhongli | Fugang | 13.35 | Planning | ||||
| Green | Bade | Dayuan | 27.2 | 27.2 | Planning | ||
| Orange | Main Line | Shanzaiding | Huiji Jr High | 22.7 | Planning | ||
| Longtan Line | Shanzaiding | Longtan | Planning | ||||
| Brown | Taolin Line | Taoyuan | Shanbi | 12.5 | 24.5 | Planning | |
| Huilong Line | Taoyuan | Huilong | 12 | Planning | |||
| Taipei Metro: Blue-Sanying Line |
Dingpu | Fongming Jr High | 13.2 | 18.6 | Planning | ||
| Fongming Jr High | Mayuan | 5.4 | Planning | ||||
Road
National Highway No. 1 and 3 are nearby and connect via local highways to the city itself. National Highway No. 2 connects to Taoyuan International Airport.
Bus
- Taoyuan Bus Co. (Chinese)
- Zhongli Bus Co. (Chinese)
Air
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport at Dayuan Township is the largest airport in Taiwan. Located in Dayuan Township, it is the main international hub for China Airlines and EVA Air. Taiwan Taoyuan handled a total of 25,114,418 passengers in 2010. It is the fifteenth-busiest air freight hub in the world and thirteenth-busiest airport by international passenger traffic. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport currently has two terminals which are connected by two, short people movers. A third terminal is planned, and a rapid transit system currently under construction will link the terminals together underground.
See also
References
- ↑ "桃園縣103年改制直轄市 名為「桃園市」". The Epoch Times. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
- ↑ "move.htm." China Airlines. Retrieved on 15 March 2010.
- ↑ "China Airlines Inaugurates CAL Park at Taoyuan Airport." China Airlines. 26 March 2010. Retrieved on 26 March 2010.
- ↑ "Evergreen Club." EVA Air. 24/28. Retrieved on 21 May 2009.
- ↑ "Contact Us." Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. Retrieved on 29 September 2009.
- ↑ "Contact Us." Evergreen Airlines Services Corporation. Retrieved on 29 September 2009.
- ↑ "Company Location." Evergreen Air Cargo Services Corporation. Retrieved on 29 September 2009.
- ↑ 桃園水利會灌區埤塘發展史
- ↑ Fusing, Taoyuan, Ministry of Interior and Fusing County Government, 2007.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taoyuan County. |
- Taoyuan County Government official website (Chinese)
- Taoyuan County Government official website (English)
- Taoyuan MRT
- Taoyuan Parking Management System
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