Beigang Township 北港鎮 Hokkō
Urban township
Street leading to Chaotian Temple
Beigang Township in Yunlin County
Beigang Township 北港鎮
Coordinates: 23°34′N 120°18′E / 23.567°N 120.300°E / 23.567; 120.300
Location	Yunlin County, Taiwan
Area
• Total	41 km2 (16 sq mi)
Population  (February 2023)
• Total	37,763
• Density	920/km2 (2,400/sq mi)

Beigang, Hokkō or Peikang is an urban township in Yunlin County, Taiwan. It is primarily known for its Chaotian Temple, one of the most prominent Temples of Mazu on Taiwan.^[2] It has a population of 37,763 as of February 2023.^[3]

Geography

The Beigang River borders the town on the east and south.

History

Dutch Formosa

During the Dutch era, Ponkan (Chinese: 笨港; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Pùn-káng) was an important coastal castle.^[4] In 1621, Pedro Yan Shiqi (顏思齊) from Zhangzhou, Fujian and his forces occupied Ponkan (modern-day Beigang) and started to develop Tsulosan (諸羅山; today's Chiayi City), which grew to become the capital of Tsulo County in 1704.

Administrative divisions

The township comprises 28 villages: Caohu, Dabei, Datong, Fupan, Fuzhao, Gongguan, Gongrong, Gouzao, Guangfu, Guangmin, Haoshou, Hougou, Huasheng, Liucuo, Nanan, Pangou, Renan, Renhe, Shuipu, Shujiao, Sifu, Tunghua, Tungyang, Xincuo, Xinjie, Xishi, Yimin and Zhonghe.

Education

Universities

The China Medical University has a branch in Beigang.

Beigang is only a short drive (approximately fifteen minutes by car) from National Chung Cheng University, one of Taiwan's foremost research universities.

High Schools

• National Beigang Senior High School
• National Pei-Kang Agricultural & Industrial Vocational High School
• Jiu Ren High School

Junior High Schools

• Peikang Junior High School
• Jianguo Junior High School

Tourist attractions

• Beigang Sports Park, Beigang Sports Park has a history of 50 years, and was previously a venue for track & field athletics, which has been greatly renovated with the times.  After renovation, a white sand pit was added, which became a place for children to play.[1]

• Zhongshan Road, It is the old street surrounding Beigang Chaotian Temple, surrounded by many well-known specialty shops and snack bars. It is one of the highlights of Beigang.[2]

• Nui Hui Morning Market, It used to be a place where cows were regularly sold in the morning. Nui Hui Morning Market has a history of more than 100 years and has now become a large vegetable market.[3]

• Beigang Cultural Center
• Beigang Tourist Bridge, connecting the counties of Yunlin and Chiayi, which are separated by the Beigang River^[5]
• Beigang Chaotian Temple, one of the most important Mazu temples in Taiwan and known for its magnificent temple architecture, visited by more than a million pilgrims every year.
• Beigang Wude Temple, one of the largest temple dedicated to Xuan Tan Zhen Jun (玄壇真君), Martial God of Wealth.
• Museum of Beigang Story
• Beigang Water Tower

Local cuisine specialities

• Beigang Wedding Cakes (traditional wedding cakes) are a must-buy souvenir in Beigang. There are many flavors, both salty and sweet. Many married couples will come to buy wedding cakes, and ordinary tourists will take them home as snacks.
• Beigang Peanuts and Broad Beans

Cultural activities

• Festivities around the birthday of Mazu (23rd day of the third month of the lunar year)
• Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage
• Beigang International Music Festival

Transportation

Bus stations in the county is Beigang Bus Station of Chiayi Bus.

Notable natives

• Alex Tsai, member of Legislative Yuan (2002-2016)
• Su Chih-fen, Magistrate of Yunlin County (2005-2014)
• Wu Se-hwa, Minister of Education (2014-2016)