Hsinkang is a country town located some fifteen kilometres from Chiayi city, one of the larger cities of South Taiwan. Its inhabitants are mainly farmers whose religion centers around the cult of the goddess Matsu. As the home of the delicious "Hsinkang Sweetmeats" it has become famous throughout the province. It was one of the first pioneer villages in Taiwan and its residents, despite the changes brought about by the 20th century, have continued in the pioneering spirit of their ancestors to build a model agricultural community.

In the early 17th century an adventurer, Yen Ssu-ch'i, led a group of people from China's south-east coast across the Taiwan Straits to the port of Penkang. After landing, Yen Ssu-ch'i built 10 encampments there and engaged in trade and piracy. After he died, the more famous Cheng Chih-lung took over his position and encouraged refugees from the famine-stricken south-east China coast to migrate to Taiwan by giving them water-buffaloes and gold. This resulted in boatloads of immigrants flocking to Penkang.

In 1804 a typhoon caused a flood which changed the course of the river, washing out Penkang. Of the inhabitants, those originating from Changchou moved to the northern bank of the new river, and those from Ch'uanchou moved to the southern bank. But the river was not kind to the people who settled on the southern bank and they eventually moved further east to a place called Ma-tse Yuan, which in 1902 became known as Hsinkang.

The Ch'uanchou people took the statue of Matsu and other religious artifacts from the washed-out temple with them to Hsinkang where they built a new temple in 1813. The new town of Hsinkang developed around this temple. And even nowadays, the road in front of Hsinkang's Matsu temple is the town's most lively place, especially during the first to third months of the lunar calendar, when thousands of believers flock to the temple for its annual festival.

In the main hall of the temple there are some ten images of Matsu and above them is a board inscribed with four characters written by the Republic of China's former President Yen Chia-kan, meaning "Taiwan's first Matsu". This image of Matsu, brought to Penkang by Liu Ting-kuo from Meichou, on the Chinese mainland, and later moved to Hsinkang after the 1804 flood, is in fact the first Matsu to have been transported to Taiwan. The image's somewhat flattened nose is evidence of its many relocations over the years.

There is a story still circulating in Hsinkang regarding the name that the Chiach'ing Emperor gave the temple after its completion. During the last years of Emperor Ch'ienlung's (1736-1796) reign, Chiach'ing who was then a prince, is supposed to have visited Taiwan in disguise and passed through Penkang. While watching a religious ceremony he was set upon by some hoodlums, but was rescued by a local military official called Wang Teh-lu. Wang believed that Matsu was responsible for his timely meeting with the future emperor, and later requested the Emperor to rename the temple Feng Tien Temple after it was rebuilt in Hsinkang. The emperor's edict to this effect is still kept at the temple, though historians are unable to verify whether or not Chiach'ing actually visited Taiwan.

Hsinkang's most famous product is a tasty candy known as Hsinkang Sweetmeat. Made of malt sugar, water, and either peanuts, longans, pears or raisins and packaged simply, Hsinkang Sweetmeats never needed advertising to become popular throughout the island.

It is said that Hsinkang Sweetmeats were invented during the late 19th century by a young man called Lu Ch'i-tou from Chiayi County. Lu, a vendor of malt sugar candies was once caught out in the rain and his wares made thoroughly soggy. Returning home he thought of a way to rescue his goods: putting the water-logged candies into a pot he heated them up and added peanuts. To his surprise the makeshift invention sold much better than his original product.

The next year Lu attended Matsu's birthday celebrations at Hsinkang, where he sold a great deal of his new sweet. In fact, business was so good that he set up a shop next to the temple and it can still be seen there today, operated by his descendents.

The population of Hsinkang, numbering 38,000, is spread out among twenty three villages. They are served by a middle school, six primary schools and two kindergartens. The people of Hsinkang are mostly farmers whose main crop is rice, followed by peanuts and vegetables. Hsinkang is also the home of a Sino-Japanese cooperative nursery which produces flower seeds. Local farmers also supplement their incomes by raising livestock.

One of Hsinkangs satellite villages, Anho is a good example of Taiwan's rural development. Located southwest of Hsinkang, it was once the most remote and inaccessible village in the district. In July 1979, assisted by the Agricultural Development Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Hsinkang Farmers Association chose Anho village as the target for a rural development project. This plan covers mechanisation of agriculture, the promotion of home economics and environmental beautification, as well as a variety of activities. Today, Anho village is indeed a harmonious and clean model rural community, a worthy part of modern Hsinkang.

[Picture Caption]

1. This image of Matsu, brought to Taiwan in the 1620s from Meichou on the Chinese mainland, is known as "Taiwan's first Matsu" and can be seen at Hsinkang's Feng Tien Temple. 2.3.5.6.7. Built during the Chiach'ing reign (1796-1821), this temple is the religious center for local people, and annually attracts thousands of pilgrims. 4. Under the eaves numerous examples of Master Yeh's ceramics are preserved.

1. Although agriculture is now mostly mechanized, some older peasants still stick with their reliable buffalo. 2. As rice is the main crop in Hsinkang, green paddy fields abound. 3. A street scene in Hsinkang. This structure was built to accommodate pilgrims to the Feng Tien Temple. 4. Hsinkang's climate is suitable for growing flowers. Here is a field of flowers being grown for their seeds. 5.6.7. Stone carved figures at Wang Teh-lu's grave.

1. Country children play more outdoors, thus look livelier than their urban cousins. 2. Anho village celebrates two residents' golden wedding anniversary. 3. Many people sell religious accessories such as incense and paper money. 4. Few pilgrims forget to purchase some delicious Hsinkang Sweetmeats. 7. Packaging Hsinkang Sweetmeats. 5.6. Two Hsinkang delicacies: eight-precious cakes and sesame candies.

Built during the Chiach'ing reign （1796-1821）, this temple is the religious center for local people, and annually attracts thousands of pilgrims.

Built during the Chiach'ing reign （1796-1821）, this temple is the religious center for local people, and annually attracts thousands of pilgrims.

Under the eaves numerous examples of Master Yeh's ceramics are preserved.

Built during the Chiach'ing reign （1796-1821）, this temple is the religious center for local people, and annually attracts thousands of pilgrims.

Built during the Chiach'ing reign （1796-1821）, this temple is the religious center for local people, and annually attracts thousands of pilgrims.

Built during the Chiach'ing reign （1796-1821）, this temple is the religious center for local people, and annually attracts thousands of pilgrims.

Although agriculture is now mostly mechanized, some older peasants still stick with their reliable buffalo.

As rice is the main crop in Hsinkang, green paddy fields abound.

A street scene in Hsinkang. This structure was built to accommodate pilgrims to the Feng Tien Temple.

Hsinkang's climate is suitable for growing flowers. Here is a field of flowers being grown for their seeds.

Stone carved figures at Wang Teh-lu's grave.

Stone carved figures at Wang Teh-lu's grave.

Stone carved figures at Wang Teh-lu's grave.

Country children play more outdoors, thus look livelier than their urban cousins.

Anho village celebrates two residents' golden wedding anniversary.

Many people sell religious accessories such as incense and paper money.

Few pilgrims forget to purchase some delicious Hsinkang Sweetmeats.

Two Hsinkang delicacies: eight-precious cakes and sesame candies.

Two Hsinkang delicacies: eight-precious cakes and sesame candies.

Packaging Hsinkang Sweetmeats.