Shilin District

For the rock formations in Yunnan, see Shilin (Stone Forest).

Shilin 士林區
District


Country	Taiwan
Region	Northern Taipei
Divisions	List 51 villages 988 neighborhoods
Area
• Total	62.3682 km² (24.0805 sq mi)
Area rank	Ranked 1st of 12
Population
• Total	290,455 (December 2,014)
• Rank	Ranked 2nd of 12
Postal code	111

Shilin District

Chinese name

Traditional Chinese

士林區

Transcriptions

Alternative Chinese name

Traditional Chinese

八芝蘭

Transcriptions
Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Bāzhīlán
Min
Hokkien POJ	Pat-chi-lân

Ketagalan name

Ketagalan

Pattsiran

(Ketagalan word for "hot spring"; transliterated into Chinese as "八芝蘭" Bāzhīlán) (old name)

Shilin District is a district of Taipei and home to a large foreign population, mainly concentrated in the Tianmu area. It has long been a top choice for expatriates from Europe, the United States, and Japan to live, run businesses, and establish embassies and offices^[1] due mainly to the natural environment -- sitting at the foot of Yangmingshan -- and because the international schools are all located here. The central command of the Republic of China Navy is located in Shilin.

History

The name Shilin was derived from Pattsiran, the Ketagalan word for "hot springs". It was then transliterated into Chinese as "八芝蘭" (pinyin: Bāzhīlán; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Pat-chi-lân), which has been written as Pat-chi-na or Pachina.^[2]

Prior to Han settlement, the area was home to the Kimassauw community (麻少翁社) of the Taiwanese Plains Aborigines. During the Qing era, a fort was set up, later called 芝蘭一堡. By the late Qing dynasty, "many literary talents from Shilin had passed the imperial examination", prompting the local gentry to rename it Shilin (士林), meaning "congregation of scholars and talents".^[1]^[3]

In 1920 under Japanese rule, the area was organized as Shirin Village (士林庄) and in 1933 Shirin Town (士林街), under Shichisei District (七星郡), Taihoku Prefecture. In 1945 after World War II, it was modified to Shilin Township (士林鎮), Taipei County (臺北縣).

Shilin is foremost a residential district and has several famous neighborhoods, such as Waishuangxi (外雙溪) and Tianmu. Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-Shek lived in Shilin after moving the Chinese Nationalist government to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War. The district is divided up into 51 villages (里), which are further divided up into 987 neighborhoods (鄰).

The district can be said to be the origin of culture in Taipei.^[1] During the Qing Dynasty, many private, public and community schools were opened in the area. During the Japanese era, a national learning center was set up at Zhishanyan.^[1]

Education

Chinese Culture University

Shilin has three universities: Ming Chuan University, Soochow University, and the Chinese Culture University. Several international schools, including the Taipei American School, Taipei Japanese School, and Taipei European School are located in this district. The district is also home to two vocational colleges, four senior high schools, eight junior high schools, and twenty elementary schools.^[1]

The National Taiwan Science Education Center also is located in this district, along with the Taipei Astronomical Museum, the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines, and the world-renowned National Palace Museum.

Tourism

The National Palace Museum is home to over 600,000 ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks.

Tourist attractions include the Yangmingshan National Park, National Palace Museum, Taipei Astronomical Museum, National Science Taiwan Education Center, Hwa Kang Museum, Chiang Kai-shek's Shilin Official Residence and Shilin Night Market. The Tatun Volcano Group is located northeast of the district.

The district is home to many national historical sites, including historical temples, markets, and buildings. It is also the location of the Tianmu Baseball Stadium, Bailing Sport Park, Shilin Fitness Center and Chinese Culture and Movie Center. The Shuangxi Park and Chinese Garden is also located in Shilin.

Transportation

Shilin Station

In addition to many bus lines, the district is served by the Taipei Metro Tamsui Line. It is served by Provincial Highway No. 2 and many other main roads through the city.