Lukang, Changhua

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Lukang
鹿港鎮
Rokkō; Luchiang; Lugang
Lukang Township
Lu Gang Lao Jie Xiao Xiang 07.jpg
An alley in the old town of Lukang
LugangTownship.png
Coordinates: 24°03′N120°26′E / 24.050°N 120.433°E / 24.050; 120.433 Coordinates: 24°03′N120°26′E / 24.050°N 120.433°E / 24.050; 120.433
Country Taiwan
County Changhua County
Government
[1]
  TypeUrban township
  Mayor許志宏
Area
  Total71.802 km2 (27.723 sq mi)
Population
 (January 2023) [2]
  Total85,423
  Density1,200/km2 (3,100/sq mi)
Gender
  Male44,101
  Female42,717
Website www.lukang.gov.tw/eng OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Lukang Township
Traditional Chinese 鹿港
Literal meaning Deer Harbor

An important trading port during Lukang's heyday from 1785 to 1845, Lukang's population reached 20,000. [8] Lukang was Taiwan's second largest city after Tainan and was larger than Bangka (now a district of Taipei), then the island's third-largest city.[ citation needed ] The rice industry brought great wealth to the city. During the late 1800s the most prominent families in Lukang were the Huang and Koo clans. [9]

The subsequent silting of the harbor and the city's refusal to allow railroads to pass through the city led to losses in trade in commerce, which, in turn led to Lukang's decline relative to other cities, which were experiencing considerable urbanization and population growth. This same decline, however, averted the modernization processes that demolished historical buildings in Tainan and Taipei, leaving Lukang preserved as it was in the past.

During the period of Japanese rule, the city was Taiwan's fifth most populous city, with a population of 19,805 according to the December 1904 census. [10] The Hoklo people in the area were predominantly of Xiamen and Quanzhou origin, [11] thereby speaking the Quanzhou dialect of Hokkien. Nanguan music is highly popular in Lukang and originates from Quanzhou.

Map of Lukang (labeled as ROKKO) and surrounding area (1944) Txu-pclmaps-oclc-6550512-rokko-2119-ii.jpg
Map of Lukang (labeled as ROKKŌ) and surrounding area (1944)
Map including Lukang (labeled as Lu-chiang (Rokko) Lu Gang 
) (1954) Txu-oclc-6557994-index-459.jpg
Map including Lukang (labeled as Lu-chiang (Rokko) 鹿港) (1954)

In 1920, Lukang was governed as Rokkō Town (鹿港街) under Shōka District of Taichū Prefecture.

Overview

Beautiful Lukang Longshan Temple. Lukang Lung-shan Temple 2004.jpg
Beautiful Lukang Longshan Temple.
Lukang Mazu Temple Lu Gang Tian Hou Gong .JPG
Lukang Mazu Temple

There are many old temples in Lukang, such as Longshan Temple and Matzu Temple. The city boasts over 200 temples dedicated to a wide variety of folk deities. [12] The town is also the origin of the terms "ē-káng" (下港) and "téng-káng" (頂港) used respectively to refer to southern Taiwan and northern Taiwan; the literal meanings of the terms are "below the harbor" and "above the harbor".

The Yu Jen Jai (玉珍齋) cakes are famous local specialties, as well as Lukang's Ox Tongue Cakes (牛舌餅) and oyster pancakes. It will host the 2012 Taiwan Lantern Festival, beating out six other contenders. [13]

Lukang encompasses 39.46 square kilometers (15.24 sq mi) with a population of 85,423, including 43,199 males and 42,224 females as of January 2023. [14]

Administrative divisions

Lukang Township Office Lukang Township Office, Changhua County.jpg
Lukang Township Office
Street view in Lukang Lu Gang Lao Jie 08.jpg
Street view in Lukang

The township comprises 29 villages, which are Dayou, Zhongxing, Luojin, Shunxing, Pulun, Xingong, Yushun, Tungshi, Guocuo, Yongan, Jingfu, Taixing, Zhangxing, Xinghua, Longshan, Caiyuan, Jiewei, Zhaoan, Haipu, Yangcuo, Caozhong, Tounan, Shanlun, Dingpan, Toulun, Gouqi, Liaocuo, Tungqi and Dingcuo.[ citation needed ]

Infrastructure

Tourist attractions

Lukang Folk Arts Museum, the former Koo's family mansion (see Koo Hsien-jung) Lugang Koo's House.JPG
Lukang Folk Arts Museum, the former Koo's family mansion (see Koo Hsien-jung)
The Glass Mazu Temple at Taiwan Glass Gallery in Lukang Mazu Temple in Taiwan Glass Gallery, Changhua County (Taiwan).jpg
The Glass Mazu Temple at Taiwan Glass Gallery in Lukang

The town was referenced in the 1982 song "Lukang, The Small Town" (鹿港小鎮) by Lo Ta-yu.[ citation needed ]

Notable natives

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lukang Folk Arts Museum</span> Museum in Lukang, Changhua County, Taiwan

The Lukang Folk Arts Museum is a museum in Lukang Township, Changhua County, Taiwan.

<i>Zhi Hu Zhe Ye</i> 1982 album by Lo Ta-yu

Zhi Hu Zhe Ye is the 1982 debut album of Taiwanese singer Lo Ta-yu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lukang Culture Center</span> Cultural center in Lukang, Changhua County, Taiwan

The Lukang Culture Center or Lukang Assembly Hall is a cultural center in Lukang Township, Changhua County, Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lukang Ai Gate</span> Gate in Lukang, Changhua County, Taiwan

The Lukang Ai Gate is an old gate in Lukang Township, Changhua County, Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lukang Wen Wu Temple</span> Temple in Lukang, Changhua County, Taiwan

The Lukang Wen Wu Temple is a Wen Wu temple in Lukang Township, Changhua County, Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lukang Kinmen Hall</span> Former hall in Lukang, Changhua County, Taiwan

The Lukang Kinmen Hall is a historical hall in Lukang Township, Changhua County, Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lukang Longshan Temple</span> Chinese temple in Lukang, Changhua County, Taiwan

The Lukang Longshan Temple is a Guanyin temple in Lukang Township, Changhua County, Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lukang Rimao Hang</span> Former company in Lukang, Changhua County, Taiwan

The Lukang Rimao Hang is a historic building in Lukang Township, Changhua County, Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lukang Tianhou Temple</span> Temple in Lukang, Changhua County, Taiwan

The Lukang Tianhou Temple, also known as the Lukang Mazu Temple, is a Chinese temple dedicated to the Chinese Goddess Mazu, the Goddess of Sea and Patron Deity of fishermen, sailors and any occupations related to sea/ocean. The temple is located at 430 Zhongshan Road in Lukang Township, Changhua County, Taiwan. It is one of the island's most famous and popular Mazu temples.

The architecture of Taiwan can be traced back to stilt housing of the aborigines in prehistoric times; to the building of fortresses and churches in the north and south used to colonize and convert the inhabitants during the Dutch and Spanish period; the Tungning period when Taiwan was a base of anti-Qing sentiment and Minnan-style architecture was introduced; in Qing dynasty period, a mix of Chinese and Western architecture appeared and artillery battery flourished during Qing's Self-Strengthening Movement; During the Japanese rule of Taiwan, the Minnan, Japanese and Western culture were main influencers in architectural designs and saw the introduction and use of reinforced concrete. Due to excessive Westernization as a colony, after the retrocession of Taiwan to the Republic of China in 1945 from Japan at the end of World War II, Chinese classical style became popular and entered into international mainstream as a postmodern design style. Today, Taiwanese architecture has undergone much diversification, every style of architecture can be seen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lukang Artist Village</span> Art center in Lukang, Changhua County, Taiwan

The Lukang Artist Village is an art center in Lukang Township, Changhua County, Taiwan.

References

Citations

  1. "鎮長介紹". 11 September 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  2. "彰化縣各鄉鎮市 107年12月人口數統計表" (PDF). Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  3. Wong, Maggie Hiufu (30 March 2012). "Taiwan names its 10 top small tourist towns". CNN Go. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  4. Campbell (1896), map.
  5. Davidson (1903), Index p.32.
  6. Davidson (1903), map.
  7. Liu, M. (2011). 鹿港譯名恢復Lukang.United Daily News, retrieved at 28 June 2011.
  8. DeGlopper (1995), pp. 78–79.
  9. Cheung, Han. "Taiwan in Time: Crafting Taiwan's temples". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  10. Takekoshi, Yosaburō (1907). "Chapter XIII: Population and future development of the island resources". Japanese rule in Formosa. London, New York, Bombay and Calcutta: Longmans, Green, and co. p.  200. OCLC   753129. OL   6986981M.
  11. Davidson (1903), p. 591.
  12. "Historic town of Lukang boasts over 200 temples". China Post. CNA. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  13. "Lugang unveiled as host of 2012 Taiwan Lantern Festival". Taiwan Today. 22 February 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  14. 統計資料 | 一月 | 表四 [Statistics|January|Table 4]. accounting.chcg.gov.tw (in Chinese). Changhua County Government. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.

Bibliography