Name Origin

Taiping District was originally called “Niarongtou”. 160 years ago, Lin Zhifang and his family, a branch of the Wufeng Lins, came to Taiping. They cut into the mountains and made tunnels, channeling water from Toubiankeng for cultivation, so that a wasteland became a fertile field. As there were two enormous Niarong trees in front of the the Lins’ mason, the villagers came to call the Lins in Taiping as “Niaotourong”. And because Lin Relin, son of Lin Zhifang, liked to wear double musketries on his waist, and because “Niaorongtou” and “Niaotongtou” are pronounced in the same way, thus, “Niaorongtou” is the origin of this place name.

History

In Ching Dynasty, the whole of central, eastern, southern and parts of western and northern present day Taichong, the whole of Taiping District and Dali District, and part of Wuri Township make up Lanxing Castle. Before 1895 (Ching Dynasty 21), Taiping belongs to Lanxing Castle of Taiwan County of the Taiwan Government. In the same year, after losing the Jiawu Battle, Taiwan was ceded to Japan; the following year, it was changed to Lanxing Castle under the Taichong office of Taichong County. In 1901 it was changed again to Lanxing Castle of Taichong Ting, in 1020, it was named Taiping Base under Datung District of Taichong State. In 1945, it became Taiping Township, Datung Area, Taichong County . In 1950, it was modified to again to Taiping Taownship, Taichong County. In 1996, it upgraded to Taiping City.

Geographical Location

Taiping District is situated in southern, a little to the west, Taichong County; on the east, it borders Quosxing Township, Nantou County and Dahengping straits, a branch strait of Snow Mountain; on the west and north, it neighbors Taichong City. With Han River, Dali River and Panzi River as dividers, Xingshe District is to its northeast and Dali District and Wufong District are to its southwest.

There are many rivers in Taiping City, all eventually flowing into Dali River. The main rivers are Han River, Dali River, Kuozi River (a branch off Dali River), Toubiankeng River, North Keng River (a branch off Toubiankeng), East Biankeng River (another branch off Toubiankeng) and Caohu River, etc. Han Rvier is the river that divides Taiping District from Taichong City and it is an important gateway to Taichong City. Kuozi River, the northern border of Taiping District, meet up with Dali River near Dongping Bridge. The upstream of Toubiankeng River, being very windy, is less developed agriculture-wise and so is where the public go for their holidays. The upstream of many rivers in Taiping District is the heaven for a wide range of aqueous animals.

Because Taiping District is of mountainous terrain and its land texture is the same as that of Sanyi Volcano - the terrain is visibly divided, its plantation includes that of a tropical forest, a defoliation forest, a broadleaf tree forest. Due to Taiping’s vast terrain, it is possible that some plants are not counted, even so it is believed there are over 700 species. The rich plantation makes the area’s four seasons very distinctive, majestic. There is also a wide variety of birds, thus a favorite spot for birdwatchers.

No.144, Zhongping Rd., Taiping District, Taichung City 411, Taiwan (R.O.C.)