Xizhi (Chinese: 汐止區; pinyin: xìzhǐ qū; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Se̍k-chí khu) is an inner city district in eastern New Taipei City in northern Taiwan, and is located between Taipei City and Keelung City. Compared to most districts in eastern New Taipei, which are very sparsely populated, Xizhi is one of the more populated districts in New Taipei, with a population of 207,004 people as of February 2023.
Xizhi grew quickly during the 1980s and 1990s, and is home to many of Taiwan's major electronics companies, such as Acer, Garmin (Asia), Coiler, Lanner Electronics and DFI.
Name origin
The district's old name Tsui-tng-ka (Chinese: 水返腳; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chúi-tńg-kha; lit. 'water returning site') refers to the fact that the tide from the Keelung River stops at Xizhi and goes back to the sea. During Japanese rule, the place name was changed to Shiodome (汐止, literally 'end of tides') and was under Shichisei District, Taihoku Prefecture. This is the source of the current name.
Map including Xizhi (labeled as Hsi-chih-chieh (Shiodomegai) 汐止街) (1950)
Xizhi is located in the Keelung River valley between Taipei and Keelung, which is an important transportation corridor. The old Jukando Highway and Jukan Railway Line (縱貫線) passed through here during the Japanese period. Currently both north–south freeways (National Highway 1 and National Highway 3) as well as the West Coast Line railroad pass through Xizhi.
A Taipei Metro (Taipei Rapid Transit System) route is planned for Xizhi.[3]
Xizhi suffered from periodic flooding due to typhoons, before a levee was completed along the Keelung River in 2002.
Economy
Many of Taiwan's electronics companies are headquartered in Xizhi, such as:
DFI (Diamond Flower Inc.), a company making computer motherboards[8]
Garmin's largest operating subsidiary, Garmin (Asia) Corporation, has its main office in Xizhi District.[9]
Matsusei, a Taiwanese supermarket chain, also has its headquarters in Xizhi.[10][11]
Farglory U-Town
Farglory U-Town, a commerce center with multiple functions, such as entertainment, business, and dining areas, was built by Farglory Group (遠雄企業), and was completed at the end of 2014.[12] It is located in one of the most convenient and centralized areas of the whole Xizhi District. Around U-Town, there are hypermarkets, such as Carrefour and Costco, international computer companies, such as Acer, and retailer of consumer electronics and entertainment software, such as TK3C. There are 1482 units in total within 37 stories along with underground 7 floors.[13][14] Among those units, B1 is designed as a public food court, 1F~3F house international designers branding department store, and 4F is a fitness center. The remaining floors also include the lobby, Farglory Museum, a spa, swimming pool, business meeting rooms as well as offices.[14]
Before several electronic companies moved to Xizhi, the district, like the nearby Pinglin, was known for the production of Baozhong tea.[15]
^"matsusei.com.tw." (WHOIS) "Domain Name: matsusei.com.tw Registrant: 松青商業股份有限公司 Sung Ching Supermarket Commercial Co., Ltd 23F., No.100, Sec. 1, Xintai 5th Rd., Xizhi Dist., New Taipei City 221 Taiwan 台北縣汐止市新台五路一段100號23樓"
^"Opportunities for Chilean Food Exports in Taiwan." Chilean Trade Office. November 2009. p. 199. Retrieved on October 25, 2012. "Company Name 松青超市 Matsusei Supermarket (under Wei Chuan Foods)" "Contact Information Add: 23F., No.100, Sec. 1, Xintai 5th Rd., Xizhi City, Taipei County Website: www.sungching.com.tw"
