Small Towns, History, and Lifestyles

Taiwan’s historical evolution has given rise to many towns with unique cultural attributes. They include Lukang in Changhua County, Checheng in Nantou County, Xincheng in Hualien County, and Zhudong in Hsinchu County. These towns, with their tangible and intangible cultural heritage, reveal the path of Taiwan’s development and carry the code of Taiwanese culture. 

Lukang is a historic small town that attracts countless tourists. Strolling through the town’s aged streets you see traces of the past everywhere, such as the Yiguzhai teahouse, the Ding Family mansion, and many craft-based businesses. Local temples, including the Tianhou and Longshan Temples, are not only places of worship, but also symbols of local faith and culture. Walking among the perfectly preserved old houses, exquisite carvings and mottled walls reveal the passage of time.

Next is Checheng, nestled in Nantou’s mountains. The final stop on the Jiji rail line, Checheng is known for its sugar, hydropower, and lumber industries, and its story of rebirth in the wake of industrial transformation. As Lucille Sun, chief supervisor of The Grove Taiwan retail center, tells us: “It used to be that only people buying and selling timber would come to Checheng.” But with government promotion and assistance, the Jiji Line is boosting local tourism.

Xincheng, which faces out over the beautiful Pacific Ocean, was once a goldrush town. “In the Japanese era the town’s streets were laid out in a grid pattern capable of housing 10,000 people, so you can imagine how bustling it was. But there were no asphalt roads, only gravel,” says Yang Wenqin, founder of the Jia Xing ice cafe. With venues like the Xincheng Taroko Station, Xincheng Catholic Church, and SinCheng Photo Studio, the town’s story is still being written.

Lastly, Zhudong is famous for its rich Hakka culture. But did you know that the rise of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry can be traced back to natural gas extraction in Zhudong? What memories do elderly Zhu­dong natives have of the area around Yuandong Elementary School? What Hakka delicacies are served in Zhudong’s Zhongyang Market? Don’t miss our report in this issue.

Whether for their history, culture, beautiful scenery, or kind people, these four towns are all unforgettable. Of course, Taiwan has many more lovely small towns to explore. They offer microcosms of various eras in Taiwan’s past and demonstrate the diverse and vibrant lifestyles of the Taiwanese. This month’s issue also includes stories on watermelon breeding, street porticos, Asian gouache painting (jiao­cai­hua), and more. Enjoy!