New Taipei City

Not to be confused with Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan.
New Taipei
新北市
Special municipality
New Taipei City

Clockwise from top: New Taipei Bridge, Banqiao District, Pingxi Line, Tamsui River, Jiufen, Shifen waterfall

Skyline of Banqiao District

Flag
Seal
Coordinates: 25°00′40″N 121°26′45″E / 25.01111°N 121.44583°E / 25.01111; 121.44583Coordinates: 25°00′40″N 121°26′45″E / 25.01111°N 121.44583°E / 25.01111; 121.44583
Country  Republic of China
Region Northern Taiwan
Municipal seat Banqiao District
Government
 • Type New Taipei City Government
 • Mayor Eric Chu (KMT)
 • Deputy Mayor Hou You-yi (KMT)
Area
 • Special municipality 2,052.6 km2 (792.5 sq mi)
Population (January 2016)
 • Special municipality 3,971,250
 • Density 1,900/km2 (5,000/sq mi)
 • Metro 6,870,357
  Population Ranked 1 of 22
Time zone National Standard Time (UTC+8)
Postal code 207, 208, 220 – 224, 226 – 228, 231 – 239, 241 – 244, 247 – 249, 251 – 253
Area code(s) (0)2
Districts 29
Website www.ntpc.gov.tw (English)
The metropolitan area (or tri-cities) of Taipei includes Taipei, New Taipei and Keelung
New Taipei City
Chinese 新北市
Literal meaning New North City

New Taipei City (Chinese: 新北市; pinyin: Xīnběi Shì; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Sin-pak-chhī) is a special municipality and the most populous city in Taiwan. Located in northern Taiwan, the city includes a substantial stretch of the island's northern coastline and surrounds the Taipei Basin, making it the second largest special municipality by area, behind Kaohsiung. New Taipei City is bordered by Keelung to the northeast, Yilan County to the southeast, and Taoyuan to the southwest. It completely surrounds Taipei. Banqiao District is its municipal seat and biggest commercial area.

Name

New Taipei City was originally a county known as Taipei County before 2010, which surrounds Taipei. After the county's population overtook that of Taipei, it was decided that the county should be upgraded to city status. However, it could not simply rename itself as "Taipei City", because Taipei City already existed.

The name Taipei means "Northern Tai[wan]" and -as a result- the new city was given the name of Xinbei City, (Chinese: 新北市; literally: "new north city"). County authorities at first rendered the name of the proposed municipality in English as "Xinbei", the pinyin romanization of New North,[1][2] but both candidates for the city's first mayoral election opposed the name. Consequently, citing public opinion, the inaugural mayor, Eric Chu, requested and received approval from the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) to render the name in English as New Taipei City.[3][4] This rendering became official on 31 December 2010.

History

Archaeological records had shown that New Taipei City had been inhabited since the Neolithic period, with artifacts dug in Bali District having shown remains as early as 7000 to 4700 BC. The region around New Taipei City area was once inhabited by Ketagalan plains aborigines, and evidence shows that the Atayal had inhabited Wulai District. The earliest recorded migration by people from mainland China dated back as early as 1620, when the local tribes were driven into the mountain areas. Over the years, many of the aborigines have assimilated into the general population.[5]

Qing Dynasty

During the Qing Dynasty rule of Taiwan, the Han Chinese people began to settle in the area now designated as New Taipei City in 1694 and the number of immigrants from mainland China had further increased. After decades of development and prosperity, Tamsui had become an international commercial port by 1850. British consulate and stores were established in the region, which helped promote the local tea business, resulting in massive tea leaf exports to Europe. In 1875, Shen Baozhen called for the establishment of Taipeh Prefecture. Taiwan Province was declared in 1887 and the present-day New Taipei City area fell under the jurisdiction of Taipeh Prefecture.[6][7]

Empire of Japan

In 1895, Taiwan was ceded by Qing dynasty to Empire of Japan. During Japanese rule, New Taipei City area was administered under Taihoku Prefecture together with Taipei, Keelung and Yilan County. Discovery of gold and other mining minerals were unveiled at Keelung Mountain, triggering a mining boom in the region. In October 1896, the Japanese government divided the mining area around Keelung Mountain into two districts: an eastern district, designated as Jinguashi, and a western district, designated as Jiufen. Both districts are now parts of Ruifang District. They also issued regulations prohibiting local Taiwanese mining companies from doing mining activities, and gave the mining rights to Japanese companies.[8]

Republic of China

After the handover of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China on 25 October 1945, from 25 December of the same year, the present New Taipei City area was administered as a county called Taipei County (Chinese: 臺北縣 or 台北縣 Táiběi Xiàn) of Taiwan Province with Banqiao City as the county seat. In July 1968, the size of Taipei County was reduced by 205.16 km2 (79.21 sq mi) when Beitou, Shilin, Neihu, Nangang, Muzha, and Jingmei townships were merged into Taipei City.

The county afterward had ten county-controlled cities (Banqiao, Luzhou, Sanchong, Shulin, Tucheng, Xizhi, Xindian, Xindian, Yonghe, Zhonghe); four urban townships (Tamsui, Ruifang, Sanxia, Yingge); and fifteen rural townships (Bali, Gongliao, Jinshan, Linkou, Pinglin, Pingxi, Sanzhi, Shenkeng, Shiding, Shimen, Shuangxi, Taishan, Wanli, Wugu, Wulai). It was further divided into 1,017 villages and 21,683 neighborhoods.[9] In August 1992, due to the adjustment of the demarcation line between Taipei City and Taiwan Province in Neigou and Daking Stream, the area of Taipei County was decreased by 0.03 km2.[10] On 25 December 2010, Taipei County was upgraded to a special municipality as New Taipei City consisting of 29 districts with Banqiao District as the municipal seat.[11]

Geography

Tamsui River

New Taipei City is a city located at the north tip of Taiwan Island with a vast territory and various topology, ranging from mountains, hills, plains and basins. In the northern part lies a 120 km of coastline with gorgeous sea brinks and beachheads. Tamsui River is the main river flowing through New Taipei City. Other large tributaries are Xindian, Keelung and Dahan Rivers, in which many of them have become a series of riverside parks. The tallest peak in the city is Mount Zhuzi (竹子山), standing at 1,094 m and located at Sanzhi District.[6]

Climate

The climate of the city is characterized as a humid subtropical climate with seasonal monsoons with ample rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year. Seasonal variations of temperatures are noticeable although temperatures typically varies from warm to hot throughout the year, except when cold fronts strikes during the winter months when temperatures can sometimes dip below 10 °C (50 °F). January is typically the coolest month and July is usually the warmest.

(The climate data of Taipei City is shown below for reference due to the city's proximity to Taipei.)

Climate data for Taipei (1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 19.1
(66.4)		 19.6
(67.3)		 22.1
(71.8)		 25.7
(78.3)		 29.2
(84.6)		 32.0
(89.6)		 34.3
(93.7)		 33.8
(92.8)		 31.1
(88)		 27.5
(81.5)		 24.2
(75.6)		 20.7
(69.3)		 26.6
(79.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 16.1
(61)		 16.5
(61.7)		 18.5
(65.3)		 21.9
(71.4)		 25.2
(77.4)		 27.7
(81.9)		 29.6
(85.3)		 29.2
(84.6)		 27.4
(81.3)		 24.5
(76.1)		 21.5
(70.7)		 17.9
(64.2)		 23
(73.41)
Average low °C (°F) 13.9
(57)		 14.2
(57.6)		 15.8
(60.4)		 19
(66)		 22.3
(72.1)		 24.6
(76.3)		 26.3
(79.3)		 26.1
(79)		 24.8
(76.6)		 22.3
(72.1)		 19.3
(66.7)		 15.6
(60.1)		 20.4
(68.7)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 83.2
(3.276)		 170.3
(6.705)		 180.4
(7.102)		 177.8
(7)		 234.5
(9.232)		 325.9
(12.831)		 245.1
(9.65)		 322.1
(12.681)		 360.5
(14.193)		 148.9
(5.862)		 83.1
(3.272)		 73.3
(2.886)		 2,405.1
(94.69)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) 14.1 14.6 15.5 14.9 14.8 15.5 12.3 14 13.8 11.9 12.4 11.7 165.5
Average relative humidity (%) 78.5 80.6 79.5 77.8 76.6 77.3 73 74.1 75.8 75.3 75.4 75.4 76.6
Mean monthly sunshine hours 80.6 71.3 89.6 92.6 113.7 121.7 179 188.9 153.7 124 99.4 90.7 1,405.2
Source: Central Weather Bureau[12]

Government

Eric Chu, incumbent Mayor of New Taipei City
New Taipei City Government
New Taipei City Council
Banqiao District, the municipal seat of New Taipei City

New Taipei City is a special municipality directly controlled under the central government of the Republic of China. The New Taipei City Government is headed by a mayor and is headquartered at the New Taipei City Hall at Banqiao District. The current and first mayor of New Taipei City is Eric Chu of the Kuomintang.

Municipal administration

See also: Administrative divisions of the Republic of China

New Taipei City controls 28 districts (區) and 1 mountain indigenous district (山地原住民區).[13] The sub-city entities consists of 1,017 villages (里), which in turn are divided into 21,683 neighborhoods (鄰). The municipal seat is located at Banqiao District.

Map of New Taipei
Name Hanzi Hanyu Pinyin Pe̍h-ōe-jī Population Area (km2)
Luzhou 蘆洲區 Lúzhōu Qū Lô͘-chiu Khu 200,055 8.321
Sanchong 三重區 Sānchóng Qū Sam-tiông Khu (Saⁿ-tēng-po͘) 388,386 16.3170
Shulin 樹林區 Shùlín Qū Chhiū-nâ Khu 184,329 33.1288
Sanxia 三峽區 Sānxiá Qū Sam-kiap Khu 112,775 191.4508
Yingge 鶯歌區 Yīnggē Qū Eng-ko Khu 87,931 21.1248
Tamsui 淡水區 Dànshuǐ Qū Tām-chuí Khu 162,441 70.6565
Bali 八里區 Bālǐ Qū Pat-lí Khu 37,711 39.4933
Jinshan 金山區 Jīnshān Qū Kim-san Khu 22,273 49.2132
Sanzhi 三芝區 Sānzhī Qū Sam-chi Khu 23,452 65.9909
Shimen 石門區 Shímén Qū Chio̍h-mn̂g Khu 12,645 51.2645
Wanli 萬里區 Wànlǐ Qū Bān-lí Khu 22,634 63.3766
Xindian 新店區 Xīndiàn Qū Sin-tiàm Khu 300,283 120.2255
Pinglin 坪林區 Pínglín Qū Pêⁿ-nâ Khu 6,503 170.8350
Shenkeng 深坑區 Shēnkēng Qū Chhim-kheⁿ Khu 23,614 20.5787
Shiding 石碇區 Shídìng Qū Chio̍h-tēng Khu 7,857 144.3498
Wulai 烏來區 Wūlái Qū U-lai Khu 6,182 321.1306
Xizhi 汐止區 Xìzhǐ Qū Se̍k-chí Khu 196,150 71.2354
Ruifang 瑞芳區 Ruìfāng Qū Sūi-hong Khu 40,922 70.7336
Gongliao 貢寮區 Gòngliáo Qū Kòng-liâu Khu 12,858 99.9734
Pingxi 平溪區 Píngxī Qū Pêng-khe Khu 4,872 71.3382
Shuangxi 雙溪區 Shuāngxī Qū Siang-khe Khu 9,233 146.2484
Xinzhuang 新莊區 Xīnzhuāng Qū Sin-chng Khu 413,443 19.7383
Linkou 林口區 Línkǒu Qū Nâ-khàu Khu 100,554 54.1519
Taishan 泰山區 Tàishān Qū Thài-san Khu 78,801 19.1603
Wugu 五股區 Wǔgǔ Qū Gō͘-kó͘ Khu 82,983 34.8632
Banqiao 板橋區 Bǎnqiáo Qū Pang-kiô Khu 554,008 23.1373
Tucheng 土城區 Tǔchéng Qū Thô͘-siâⁿ Khu 238,646 29.5578
Yonghe 永和區 Yǒnghé Qū Éng-hô Khu 225,353 5.7138
Zhonghe 中和區 Zhōnghé Qū Tiong-hô Khu 414,356 20.1440

Central government

Many agencies of the central government are located in New Taipei City. The Architecture and Building Research Institute, Aviation Safety Council and National Airborne Service Corps, National Fire Agency of the Ministry of the Interior and the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction of the Ministry of Science and Technology are headquartered in Xindian District.[14] Financial Supervisory Commission is located at Banqiao District. The Atomic Energy Council is located at Yonghe District. The National Academy for Educational Research of the Ministry of Education is located at Sanxia District.

Demographics and culture

A map of New Taipei's population density

Population

New Taipei City has an estimated population of around 3.9 million.[15] Over 80% of New Taipei's residents live in the 10 districts that were formerly county-controlled cities (Banqiao, Luzhou, Sanchong, Shulin, Tucheng, Xizhi, Xindian, Xinzhuang, Yonghe and Zhonghe), which account for one-sixth of the area. 28.80% of the residents moved into the area from Taipei City. Around 70% of the population living in New Taipei come from different parts of Taiwan, and there are around 5,000 foreigners residing in the city, making New Taipei City the third largest municipality in Taiwan in terms of foreign resident population.[16]

Beliefs

The city is home to 952 registered temples and 120 churches, including 160 Buddhist-Taoist temples and more than 3,000 Taoist shrines. The city also houses five major Buddhist monasteries, such as the Dharma Drum Mountain in Jinshan District and Ling-jiou Mountain Monastery in Gongliao District. On average, there are two worship places in every square kilometer around the city. Xizhi District and Sanxia District have the highest number of registered temples, while Wulai District has the fewest. New Taipei City houses the Museum of World Religions in Yonghe District.[17]

Sports

New Taipei City is home to the Banqiao Stadium and Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium.

Economy

Port of Taipei

Due to its strategic location, New Taipei is the second major city of business industries after Taipei, with over 250,000 privately owned companies and 20,000 factories scattered around five industrial parks with a total capital of NT$1.8 trillion. There are also many high technology industry, service industry and tourism industry, contributing a significant amount of GDP to Taiwan.[7][15] The five major industries in the city are information technology (IT), telecommunications, digital contents, biotechnology and precision instruments. The city is among the top three cities in the global market in terms of IT product production volume, securing more than 50% of the global market share for products such as motherboards, notebooks, LCD monitors and CRT monitors.[5]

Creative industries

New Taipei City is also filled with many cultural and creative industries, such as pottery in Yingge District, Liuli industry in Tamsui District, drum industry in Xinzhuang District, dye industry in Sanxia District, noble metal processing industry in Ruifang District, sky lantern industry in Pingxi District etc. The Taiwan Film Culture Center is planned to be built in Xinzhuang District for the key resource of the development of film industries in Taiwan. The Knowledge Industry Park is also planned to be built in the same district to encourage the clustering and expansion of digital content companies and will help turn the city into a virtual digital entertainment park.[18]

Logistic industries

The Port of Taipei located in Bali District has the capability of fitting container ships weighing up to 80,000 tons and transporting more than 2 millions of TEU annually. The Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf in Tamsui District serves as the main port for fishing boats, as well as for sightseeing and leisure.

Education

Fu Jen Catholic University

Education in New Taipei City is government by the Education Department of New Taipei City Government. The city population is highly educated, with over 38% of the people received higher education.

Universities and colleges

The city houses many government and private universities, such as Aletheia University, Fu Jen Catholic University, Hsing Wu University, Huafan University, Jinwen University of Science and Technology, Ming Chi University of Technology, National Open University, National Taipei University, National Taiwan University of Arts, St. John's University, Tamkang University etc.

Some of the colleges in the city are Chihlee Institute of Technology, De Lin Institute of Technology, Lee-Ming Institute of Technology, Mackay Medical College, Oriental Institute of Technology etc.

Public libraries

Founded in 1914, the National Taiwan Library, the oldest public library in Taiwan, is located in the city at Zhonghe District.

Education centers

Opened in January 2008, the Sustainable Development Education Center in Bali District is an center for wetland conservation education.

Energy

Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plant

Power generations

New Taipei City houses two of Taiwan's current active nuclear power plants, which are the Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plant in Wanli District and Jinshan Nuclear Power Plant in Shimen District, Taiwan's first nuclear power plant. The planned fourth nuclear power plant, Lungmen Nuclear Power Plant, located at Gongliao District has currently been halted due to public opposition. Other power generations in the city are the Linkou Coal-Fired Power Plant in Linkou District and Feitsui Hydroelectric Power Plant in Shiding District.

Green energy and energy saving

New Taipei City has been developed towards a Green Future City. The city provides Carbon Reduction Clinic for houses and businesses with general consultation and on-site inspections for greener equipment, in which it is helped by the low-carbon community subsidies. The city also implements the Assist Industries with Cleaner Production Plan to help businesses adapt to the efforts toward becoming green industries. The city government also actively promoting green energy industries and smart electric vehicles.[19]

In January 2016, New Taipei City was the top in terms of electricity saving in Taiwan, in which electricity consumption for the period April-November 2015 was cut down by 1.24%.[20]

Tourist attractions

Zushi Temple in Sanxia District.
Taiwan Coal Mine Museum in Pingxi District.
Hohaiyan Rock Festival in Gongliao District.

New Taipei has a wide range of historical, natural and cultural attractions for tourists. Tourism-related industries in the city are governed by the Tourism and Travel Department of New Taipei City Government.

Historical

Historical attractions include Bitoujiao Lighthouse, Chin Pao San, Fort Santo Domingo, Hobe Fort, Ōgon Shrine, Tamsui Old Street, Lin Family Mansion and Garden, Fugueijiao Lighthouse, Cape San Diego Lighthouse and Qing dynasty remnants in Tamsui and the old mining towns of Jiufen, Jinguashi and Jingtong in the east. Sanxia houses the historic Minquan Street.

Temples

The most famous temple is the Zushi Temple in Sanxia District. Jinshan District houses the Dharma Drum Mountain.

Museums

There are numerous notable museums, such as Drop of Water Memorial Hall, Gold Museum, Jing-Mei Human Rights Memorial and Cultural Park, Ju Ming Museum, Li Tien-lu Hand Puppet Historical Museum, Museum of World Religions, New Taipei City Hakka Museum, New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum, Pinglin Tea Museum, Sanxia History Museum, Shisanhang Museum of Archaeology, Taiwan Coal Mine Museum, Taiwan Nougat Museum, Tamkang University Maritime Museum, Teng Feng Fish Ball Museum, Wulai Atayal Museum and Wulai Tram Museum.

Natural

Natural attractions include the Wulai and Shifen waterfalls, Bitan, Wulai hot springs, Cape San Diego, Xinhai Constructed Wetland, hoodoo geological formations at the Yehliu seacoast, and hiking in Mount Guanyin, Wulai, Pingxi and the northeast coast. Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf along the Tamsui River is a popular place for leisure and sightseeing. Popular beaches include Fulong, Yanliao and Baisha Bay.

Theme Parks and Resorts

Theme parks and resorts in the city include Formosa Fun Coast, Yehliu Ocean World, Yun Hsien Resort etc.

Night Markets

Famous night markets in the city are Nanya Night Market and Lehua Night Market.

Festivals

New Taipei City regularly hosts around 5,000 annual art, music and cultural festivals, such as the Hohaiyan Rock Festival in Gongliao District.[18] The Lantern Festival is held regularly in the city particularly in Pingxi District, where sky lanterns are made throughout the year for people to buy. Guests can also learn how to make their own lanterns, paint their hopes, dreams and wishes on them, then release them to the sky in the hopes that their prayers will be answered.[21]

Other festivals include the Yeliu Religious Festival, Cherry Blossom Season, Ching Shui Tsu Shih Rituals, Mazu Cultural Festival, Zhonghe Water Festival, Green Bamboo Shoot Festival, Tung Blossom Festival, Fulong Sand Sculpture Festival, Shimen International Kite Festival, Taishan Lion Dance Culture Festival, Color Play Asia etc.[22]

Transportation

Banqiao Station
New Taipei Bridge

Rail

The area is served by Taiwan High Speed Rail through the Banqiao Station, which is an intermodal station with Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) and Taipei Metro.

The TRA's Yilan Line runs through Gongliao, Shuangxi and Ruifang. The Western Line runs through Xizhi, Banqiao, Shulin and Yingge. The Pingxi Line connects Pingxi to Ruifang.

Wulai District houses the Wulai Scenic Train.

Metro

The Taipei Metro serves the area through the Tamsui Line in Tamsui, the Zhonghe Line in Yonghe and Zhonghe, the Luzhou Line in Sanchong and Luzhou, the Xinzhuang Line in Xinzhuang, Sanchong, and Taishan, the Xindian Line in Xindian, and the Bannan Line from Banqiao on out.

The under-construction Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Access MRT System will link Sanchong, Xinzhuang, Taishan, and Linkou.

Road

Famous bridge in New Taipei is the Taipei Bridge, connecting New Taipei City and Taipei City over Tamsui River. Another famous bridge is the New Taipei Bridge.

Air

The area's air traffic is served by Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in neighboring Taoyuan City and Songshan Airport in Taipei.

Relative location

 East China Sea
Taipei City
Taiwan Strait Keelung City
Philippines Sea
   New Taipei City  
Taoyuan City, Yilan County

See also

References

  1. ↑ "標準地名譯寫準則". 全國法規資料庫. 9 November 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  2. ↑ "中文譯音使用原則" (PDF). 中華民國教育部. 18 December 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  3. ↑ "新北市譯名 朱立倫依多數民意". 中央社. 20 December 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  4. ↑ "尊重新北市政府的意見，新北市譯寫為「New Taipei City」" (Press release). 中華民國內政部. 31 December 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Cincinnati Sister Cities". Cincinnati Sister Cities. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  6. 1 2 "New Taipei City Government - History". Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  7. 1 2 "New Taipei City - A Metropolis Redefined". YouTube. 17 August 2012.
  8. ↑ "Historical background". taiwan.gov.tw.
  9. ↑ "Great Taipei Travel: Great Taipei Tours, Maps, Hotels, Attractions & Travel News(旅遊王TravelKing)". Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  10. ↑ http://w2.dbas.taipei.gov.tw/NEWS_WEEKLY/summeng/3E.pdf
  11. ↑ "New Taipei City Government - Introduction". Foreigner.ntpc.gov.tw. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  12. ↑ "Climate". Central Weather Bureau.
  13. ↑ "臺灣地區鄉鎮市區級以上行政區域名稱中英對照表" (PDF). Online Translation System of Geographiic Name (線上地名譯寫系統), 中華民國內政部. 16 June 2011.
  14. ↑ "Contact ASC." Aviation Safety Council. Retrieved on 10 June 2009. "Address: 11th Floor, 200, Section 3, Beixin Road, Xindian District, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan (R.O.C.)"
  15. 1 2 "New Taipei City Government - Introduction". ntpc.gov.tw.
  16. ↑ "New Taipei City Government - Population". ntpc.gov.tw.
  17. ↑ "New Taipei City focusing on religion". taipeitimes.com.
  18. 1 2 "New Taipei City Government - Culture ＆ Creativity". Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  19. ↑ "New Taipei City Government - Going Green". Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  20. ↑ http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=241214&ctNode=2182
  21. ↑ "New Taipei City Government - Popular Attractions". ntpc.gov.tw.
  22. ↑ "NTPC Travel - Pingxi Sky Lanterns Festival". ntpc.gov.tw.

External links

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