Shitan, Miaoli Explained

Official Name:Shitan Township
Native Name:Chinese: {{nobold|獅潭鄉
Other Name:Shihtan
Image Blank Emblem:File:Shihtan Township Office, Miaoli County.png
Blank Emblem Type:Shihtan Township Office, Miaoli County
Subdivision Type:Location
Area Total Km2:79
Population As Of:January 2023
Population Total:4141
Population Density Km2:auto

Shitan Township / Shihtan Township[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] is a rural township in Miaoli County, Taiwan. It is located in a mountainous area with a mild, sub-tropical climate. Its rainy season is from May to September. Shitan's population was estimated to be 4,141 in January 2023.[6]

History

The area was occupied by native Taiwanese through the 19th Century with an economy strongly dependent upon hunting. In 1876 under Qing rule, the Chinese began to build bullock roads into the area. However it was not until the 1930s, during Japanese rule, that standardized roads began to be constructed. The first motor vehicle road was completed into Shitan in 1939, and regular bus service was started. However, by 1942 the bus service had ended because of fuel rationing.

Administrative divisions

The township comprises seven villages: Boshou, Fenglin, Hexing, Xindian, Xinfeng, Yongxing and Zhumu.

Politics

The township is part of Miaoli County Constituency II electoral district for Legislative Yuan.

Culture

The Shitan Village Historic Museum preserves a Hakka dwelling from the Koxinga period.[7] Other landmarks include Lingdong Temple, Shitan Presbyterian Church and Wenshui Old Street.

Local food specialities include Tea and Mesona chinensis (仙草), which is served as a hot, viscous drink, or curded and served over ice as a type of grass jelly.

Education

Among the schools in Shitan are:

Transportation

Shitan is served by provincial highways No. 3 and No. 72.

Notable natives

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Organization. 21 September 2020. Miaoli County Fire Bureau. 1.14.4 Shihtan branch.
  2. Web site: Jurisdiction. 2010-06-08. 21 September 2020. Taiwan Miaoli District Prosecutors Office. Shihtan Township,.
  3. Web site: Flower Updates. 21 September 2020. The Hakka Tung Blossom Festival. Shihtan Township.
  4. Web site: https://www.moi.gov.tw/files/site_stuff/321/1/month/m1-07.xls. zh:1.7-鄉鎮市區戶口數. Population for Township and District. August 2020. 21 September 2020. Ministry of the Interior. 獅潭鄉 Shihtan Township 79.4324 1,733 4,167 2,319 1,848 125.49 2.40 52.
  5. News: https://news.pts.org.tw/article/329927. zh:財政窘迫缺稽查員 苗栗亂倒廢棄物頻傳. Miaoli County has no resources against dumping. 26 July 2016. 21 September 2020. Public Television Service. A great pile of trash was dumped near Route 26, a highway to Shihtan Township. In mid-July, someone dumped 20 tons of construction waste here, local residents are furious about this.We are waiting to find out. In July, in other places like Shihtan Township, 50 tons of construction waste was dumped..
  6. Web site: http://mlhr.miaoli.gov.tw/xlsgetfile_10601m.php . zh:106年一月份人口統計下載區 . January 2017 Population Statistic Downloads . zh . January 2017 . mlhr.miaoli.gov.tw . Miaoli County Government Household Registration Service . 2017-02-25.
  7. http://www1.mlc.gov.tw/culture/english/01.php?id=26 "Shitan Village Historic Museum" Cultural Affairs Bureau of Miaoli County website