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Changhua County

Coordinates: 23°56′N 120°32′E / 23.933°N 120.533°E / 23.933; 120.533
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Changhua County
彰化縣
Chiang-hoa
County
Top:View of Wu River from National Highway 74, between Changsha and Wuri, 2nd left:Changhua County Hall, 2nd right:Baguashan Great Buddha in Changhua City, 3rd left:Lukang Tinhau Temple, 3rd right:View of inside in roof at Longshan Temple, Lukang, Bottom left:View of entrance in Baguashan Buddha Park, Bottom right:Koo's House in Lukang Folk Museum
Top:View of Wu River from National Highway 74, between Changsha and Wuri, 2nd left:Changhua County Hall, 2nd right:Baguashan Great Buddha in Changhua City, 3rd left:Lukang Tinhau Temple, 3rd right:View of inside in roof at Longshan Temple, Lukang, Bottom left:View of entrance in Baguashan Buddha Park, Bottom right:Koo's House in Lukang Folk Museum
Flag of Changhua County
Flag
Official seal of Changhua County
Logo
Coordinates: 23°56′N 120°32′E / 23.933°N 120.533°E / 23.933; 120.533
Country Republic of China (Taiwan)
Province Taiwan Province (de facto defunct)
RegionWestern Taiwan
SeatChanghua City
Largest cityChanghua City
Boroughs2 cities, 24 (6 urban, 18 rural) townships
Government
 • MagistrateWang Huei-mei (KMT)
Area
 • Total1,074.396 km2 (414.827 sq mi)
 • Rank15 of 22
Population
 (March 2023)[1]
 • Total1,244,148
 • Rank6 of 22
 • Density1,200/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+8 (National Standard Time)
Websitewww.chcg.gov.tw/eng/index.asp Edit this at Wikidata
Symbols
AnthemChanghua County Song[2]
BirdGrey-faced buzzard (Butastur indicus)
FlowerChrysanthemum
TreePeepul (Ficus religiosa)
Changhua County
Traditional Chinese彰化縣
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhānghuà Xiàn
Bopomofoㄓㄤ   ㄏㄨㄚˋ   ㄒㄧㄢˋ
Gwoyeu RomatzyhJanghuah Shiann
Wade–GilesChang¹-hua⁴ Hsien⁴
Tongyong PinyinJhanghuà Siàn
Yale RomanizationJānghwà Syàn
MPS2Jānghuà Shiàn
IPA[ʈʂáŋ.xwâ ɕjɛ̂n]
Hakka
Pha̍k-fa-sṳChông-fa-yen
Southern Min
Hokkien POJChiang-hòa-koān or
Chiong-hòa-koān
Tâi-lôTsiang-huà-kuān or
Tsiong-huà-kuān

Changhua County (Mandarin Pinyin: Zhānghuà Xiàn; Wade-Giles: Chang¹-hua⁴ Hsien⁴; Hokkien POJ: Chiang-hòa-koān or Chiong-hòa-koān) is the smallest county on the main island of Taiwan by area, and the fourth smallest in the country. With a total population of 1.24 million, Changhua County is the most populous county in the Republic of China. Its capital is Changhua City and it is part of the Taichung–Changhua metropolitan area.

History

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Early history

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There are 32 prehistoric burial sites in Changhua that date back 5000 years. The original name of the area was Poasoa (Chinese: 半線; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Pòaⁿ-sòaⁿ; lit. 'half line'), so-named by the local indigenous tribes. Poasoa used to be inhabited primarily by the Babuza people, who have since been mostly assimilated by the Han people.

Qing dynasty

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Qing rule in Taiwan began in 1683, and in 1684, Taiwan Prefecture was established to administer Taiwan under Fujian Province. The prefecture consisted of three counties: Taiwan County [zh], Fongshan District (Formosa) [zh] and Zhuluo. Poasoa and modern-day Changhua County were under the jurisdiction of Zhuluo, but the Changhua area was spread over three counties.

In 1723, after the Zhu Yigui rebellion, an inspector official in Taiwan requested to the Qing Emperor to designate Changhua to another county magistrate and legal warden because of the increasing population in the northern part of Zhuluo County.[3] As a result, Changhua County was created, encompassing the area of modern Changhua County, Taichung, half of Yunlin County and three townships of Nantou County. Changhua County Hall was built in the middle of the district and is regarded as the beginning of the Changhua County establishment.[4]

The name of Changhua, meaning "manifestation of a royal civilization", is formally worded "manifestation of the majestic Emperor's civilization spread over the seas".[4]

Japanese rule

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During early Japanese rule, the island was subdivided into three ken (県): Taihoku, Taiwan, and Tainan. Changhua was ruled under Taiwan Ken. In 1920, after several administrative changes, Taichū Prefecture was established, covering modern-day Changhua County, Nantou County and Taichung City. By 1930, the population in Changhua already exceeded one million.

After World War II

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After the after World War II of Taiwan on 25 December 1945, the area of the current Changhua County was established under the jurisdiction of Taichung County. On 16 August 1950 after its separation from Taichung County, Changhua County was established with Changhua City as its county seat on 1 December 1951.[5]

Geography

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Changhua county is located on the west coast of Taiwan, bordering Taichung City on the north separated by Dadu River, so Changhua County and Taichung City are often referred to as the Taichung–Changhua metropolitan area. Changhua County is bordered by Yunlin County to the south by the Zhuoshui River. To the east, Changhua County is separated from Nantou County and southern Taichung City by Bagua Plateau. To the west, Changhua County faces the Taiwan Strait.[6]

The county's total area is 1,074 km2 (415 sq mi), being Taiwan's smallest county. It owns a 60 km (37 mi) of coastline. The landscape of Changhua can be roughly divided into two parts, one being the western flat land, and the other being the Changhua Plain. This two combines measures up to 88% of Changhua county's total area. The highest elevation in Changhua is "Hen Shan", at 443 m (1,453 ft).

Administration

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Map of Changhua County
Wang Huei-mei, the incumbent Magistrate of Changhua County
Changhua City, the capital of Changhua County
Changhua County Government
Changhua County Council
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1985 1,223,209—    
1990 1,245,288+1.8%
1995 1,288,447+3.5%
2000 1,310,531+1.7%
2005 1,315,034+0.3%
2010 1,307,286−0.6%
2015 1,289,072−1.4%
Source:"Populations by city and country in Taiwan". Ministry of the Interior Population Census. Archived from the original on 2017-12-16. Retrieved 2016-05-01.

Changhua County is divided into 2 cities, 6 urban townships and 18 rural townships.[7][8] Changhua City is the seat of the county which houses the Changhua County Government and Changhua County Council. Changhua County has the highest number of urban townships of all counties in Taiwan. It also has the second highest number of rural townships after Pingtung County. The current Magistrate of Changhua County is Wang Huei-mei of the Kuomintang.

Type Name Chinese Taiwanese Hakka
Cities Changhua City 彰化市 Chiong-hòa or
Chiang-hòa		 Chông-fa
Yuanlin City 員林市 Oân-lîm Yèn-lìm
Urban
townships 		Beidou 北斗鎮 Pó-táu Pet-téu
Erlin (Erhlin)[9] 二林鎮 Jī-lîm Ngi-lìm
Hemei 和美鎮 Hô-bí Fò-mî
Lukang 鹿港鎮 Lo̍k-káng Lu̍k-kóng
Tianzhong (Tianjhong) 田中鎮 Tiân-tiong Thièn-chûng
Xihu (Sihu) 溪湖鎮 Khe-ô͘ Hâi-fù
Rural
townships 		Dacheng 大城鄉 Toā-siâⁿ Thai-sàng
Dacun 大村鄉 Tāi-chhoan Thai-tshûn
Ershui (Erhshui) 二水鄉 Jī-chúi Ngi-súi
Fangyuan 芳苑鄉 Hong-oán Fông-yen
Fenyuan 芬園鄉 Hun-hn̂g Fûn-yèn
Fuxing (Fusing) 福興鄉 Hok-heng Fuk-hîn
Huatan 花壇鄉 Hoe-toâⁿ Fâ-thàn
Pitou 埤頭鄉 Pi-thâu Phî-thèu
Puxin (Pusin) 埔心鄉 Po͘-sim Phû-sîm
Puyan 埔鹽鄉 Po͘-iâm Phû-yàm
Shenkang (Shengang) 伸港鄉 Sin-káng Tshûn-kóng
Shetou 社頭鄉 Siā-thâu Sa-thèu
Tianwei 田尾鄉 Chhân-boé Thièn-mî
Xianxi (Siansi; Hsienhsi)[10] 線西鄉 Soàⁿ-sai Sien-sî
Xiushui (Sioushuei) 秀水鄉 Siù-chúi Siu-súi
Xizhou (Sijhou) 溪州鄉 Khe-chiu Hâi-chû
Yongjing 永靖鄉 Éng-chēng Yún-tshìn
Zhutang (Jhutang; Chutang) 竹塘鄉 Tek-tn̂g Tsuk-thòng

Electoral politics

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Changhua County, an electoral bellwether, is seen as a political battleground between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). While it has historically favored the KMT, recent elections have swung in the direction of the DPP.

County Magistrate

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The Changhua County Magistrate is the democratically elected chief executive officer of the county. The current incumbent is Wang Huei-Mei of the Kuomintang.

Election Winner Party Runner-up Party Majority
2001 Wong Chin-chu DPP Yeh Chin-fong KMT 44,080
2005 Cho Po-yuan KMT Wong Chin-chu DPP 99,841
2009 Cho Po-yuan KMT Wong Chin-chu DPP 71,444
2014 Wei Ming-ku DPP Lin Tsang-min KMT 101,667

Legislative Yuan

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Since the reorganization of the Legislative Yuan into a 113-member chamber in 2008, Changhua has been divided into four constituencies, each of which return one legislator. In 2011 the incumbent in Changhua 1, Chen Shou-ching, died in office. Because there was less than a year left on her term in office, the seat was left vacant until the 2012 election.[11] In 2014 a by-election was held in Changhua 4 after Wei Ming-ku was elected as Changhua County Magistrate.

Constituency Administrative areas 2008 election 2012 election 2014 by-election 2016 election
Legislator Party Legislator Party Legislator Party Legislator Party
Changhua 1 Shengang, Xianxi, Hemei, Lukang, Fuxing, Xiushui Chen Shou-ching KMT Wang Hui-mei KMT No change Wang Hui-mei KMT
Changhua 2 Changhua City, Huatan, Fenyuan Lin Tsang-min KMT Lin Tsang-min KMT No change Huang Hsiu-fang DPP
Changhua 3 Fenyuan, Erlin, Puyan, Xihu, Puxin, Dacheng, Zhutang, Pitou, Beidou, Xizhou Cheng Ju-fen KMT Cheng Ju-fen KMT No change Hung Tsung-yi DPP
Changhua 4 Dacun, Yuanlin, Yongjing, Shetou, Tianwei, Tianzhong, Ershui Hsiao Ching-tien KMT Wei Ming-ku DPP Chen Su-yue DPP Chen Su-yue DPP

Culture

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Changhua County in films

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Economy

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Chuansing Industrial Park in Shengang Township.

Lukang used to be the economic hub of central Taiwan in its early years where it was a commercially prosperous area. It was an important trading port during the Qing Dynasty.[12]

Farming

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Around 1,200 hectares of total land used for growing fruits in the county is used for grape cultivation with Xihu Township acts as the largest grape production hub in the county.[13]

Education

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National Changhua University of Education

Energy

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Hsingneng Power Plant

Changhua County is home to Taiwan's two gas-fired power plants, Hsingyuan Power Plant and Hsingneng Power Plant, with a capacity of 490 MW each. Both power plants are located in Lukang Township.

In August 2016, the Changhua County Government signed an agreement with Canada's Northland Power and Singapore's Yushan Energy to develop "Hai Long", a 1,200 MW-capacity offshore wind generation project spread over 2,300 km2 (890 sq mi) off the coast of the county.[14]

With an installed capacity of 188.5 MW from 83 onshore wind turbine, Changhua County has the largest wind energy capacity of any county, municipality or city in Taiwan. As of 2015, there were 21 offshore wind farms located in the water offshore of the county.[15]

Tourism

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National Changhua Living Art Center

Changhua was one of the cultural centers of Taiwan, with a lot of ancient monuments and structures left from the Qing Dynasty, including the Confucian Temple, Tian Ho Gung, built in Lukang in 1647. There are currently 6 National Certified Historical Monuments, 42 County Certified Historical Monuments, 67 Historical Infrastructures, and 1 Cultural Center in Changhua County.

Museums

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Museums in the county include the BRAND'S Health Museum, Changhua County Art Museum and Lukang Folk Arts Museum.

Art and culture centers

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The county is home to the following art and culture centers, which are Changhua Arts Hall, Lukang Culture Center and National Changhua Living Art Center.

Temples

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Temples in Changhua County are

  • Baozang Temple (芬園寶藏寺) : built in 1672 and dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva, designated as a third grade historic building
  • Changhua Confucian Temple (彰化孔廟) : built in 1726 and renovated in 1830, is a Grade 1 national historical site
  • Hushan Temple (虎山巖) : built in 1747 and dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva
  • Kaihua Temple (彰化開化寺) : originally constructed in 1724 as Guanyin Shrine
  • Lukang Longshan Temple (鹿港龍山寺) : first built in 1738, renowned for its exquisite woodcarvings, as well as for its stone sculptures, especially the 12 major support columns in the main hall, twined by auspicious dragons hewn from solid stone
  • Lukang Wen Wu Temple (鹿港文武廟) : first built in 1806, consists of Martial Temple (武廟), Literature Shrine (文祠) and Wenkai Academy (文開書院)
  • Nanyao Temple (彰化南瑤宮) : completed in 1738 and originally named Mazu Temple, designated as a third grade historic building
  • Shetou Doushan Temple (社頭斗山祠) : built in 1880, ancestral temple of "Xiao" (蕭) clan
  • Yuanching Temple (元清觀) : constructed in 1763, one of the earliest temple in Taiwan that is dedicated to Jade Emperor

Nature

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Nature tourism in the county are Alice's Garden and Changhua Fitzroy Gardens.

Historical buildings

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Historical buildings in the county are the Changhua Wude Hall, Daodong Tutorial Academy, Fuxing Barn, Lukang Ai Gate, Lukang Kinmen Hall, Lukang Rimao Hang, Luocuo Church, Spring of Youth, Yi Yuan Mansion and Yusan Hall.

Transportation

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TRA Changhua Station
Xiluo Bridge

Rail

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There are 8 stations in Changhua County of the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA), with the largest being Changhua Station located in Changhua City. The rest are: Huatan Station, Dacun Station, Yuanlin Station, Yongjing Station, Shetou Station, Tianzhong Station and Ershui Station.

Taiwan High Speed Rail has also one station in the county, which is Changhua Station.

Road

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National Highway 1 and National Highway 3 both pass through Changhua County. In addition, there are plenty of provincial highways as well. The Xiluo Bridge, with a span over 1,900 meters and opened in 1953, links Changhua County with neighboring Yunlin County.

Sports

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Changhau has one professional basketball team, the Formosa Taishin Dreamers of the P. League+ (shared with Taichung).[16]

Sister cities

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Relative location

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Notable individuals

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References

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  1. ^ 公布欄-彰化縣政府全球資訊網 - 彰化縣105年4月份戶籍人口結構公告. www.chcg.gov.tw (in Chinese). 1 February 2007. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  2. ^ "Represent". Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  3. ^ Davidson, James W. (1903). The Island of Formosa, Past and Present : history, people, resources, and commercial prospects: tea, camphor, sugar, gold, coal, sulphur, economical plants, and other productions. London and New York: Macmillan & co. p. 73. OL 6931635M. Archived from the original on 2015-01-08. Retrieved 2015-01-09. After the terrible insurrection of 1722, it was found that the district of Choolo was too large to be conveniently administered by a single magistrate, and the northern portion was detached to become a new prefecture, named Changwha, while the north part of the island was formed into a ting or division, Tamsui, and was placed under the authority of a marine magistrate.
  4. ^ a b "History". Changhua County Government. 23 Nov 2010. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  5. ^ "Rezoning Taiwan". Taiwan Today. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Geographic Location-CHANGHUA COUNTYGOVERNMENT". chcg.gov.tw. Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
  7. ^ "Townships and Cities". Changhua County Government. Archived from the original on 26 May 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2019. Hemei Beidou Yuanlin Erhshui Pusin Sihu Siansi Fenyuan Shengang Huatan Dacun Yongjing Sijhou Jhutang Fangyuan Tianjhong Erlin Pitou Dacheng Tianwei Shetou Sioushuei Puyan Lukang Changhua Fusing
  8. ^ 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 Geographic Name, Ministry of Interior. 16 June 2011. pp. 8–9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2012.
  9. ^ 彰化縣政府全球資訊網-二林鎮公所 [Changhua County Government Global Information Network-Erlin Town Office]. town.chcg.gov.tw (in Chinese). Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  10. ^ 圖書館簡介. Changhua County Government. Archived from the original on 2019-05-26.
  11. ^ Yan Ruo-chin (22 April 2011), 國民黨立委陳秀卿 久病過世 [KMT Legislator Chen Shou-ching Dies of Cancer], 自由時報電子報, Liberty Times, archived from the original on 2015-12-22, retrieved 2015-12-15
  12. ^ "Attractions > Tourism Towns > Lukang Township, Changhua County: Craftsmanship, Cuisine, and Historic Sites >". taiwan.net.tw. Archived from the original on 2015-03-08. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  13. ^ "Grapes grown in Changhua make a grab for Middle East - the China Post". Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
  14. ^ "Changhua County signs on to US$4.9bn offshore wind energy development plan". Taipei Times. 23 December 2016. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  15. ^ Her, Kelly (1 January 2017). "Fair Winds". Taiwan Today. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  16. ^ "關於 P. League+". P. League+. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Changhua County.
Look up Changhua in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Changhua County.
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