Dongshi Township
About the Township
I. History:
In the 15th year of Emperor Yongli’s rule (1661), Minchiuan Huian County’s Liou Ying accompanied Jheng Chengong to Taiwan and his descendents came to Dongshih to cultivate. During Emperor Kangshi’s rule, Minchiuan Jinjiang County brothers Wu Chongyan and Wu Yunshiou crossed the ocean to labor as fishermen, and for many generations worked on the oyster field for a living. In the same era, Gongjhih group’s Huang Huaijhe’s 11th generation grandchildren, brothers Huang Sheng and Huang Sheng crossed the ocean from Minchiuan Jinjiang County’s Dongshih to Taiwan to cultivate Dongshihliao of Puzihjiao and became the founding ancestors of Dongshih. In the 40th year of Kangshi’s rule (1701), Minchiuan Jinjiang County’s Tsai, Chen and Cheng cultivated Dacioutiansibao. In the final period of Kangshi’s rule (around 1712), Minchiuan Jinjiang County’s Huang, Wu and Tsai cultivated Niaosongbao Aogu Village. In the same era, another Tsai also came into existence. Fujian’s Lin, Cheng, Tang, Yang and Yao also came to develop Lizihlun.
In the first period of Emperor Chienlung’s rule (around 1746), Minchiuan Jinjiang’s Tsai Jidang and Tsai Fangyong (of the Dongshiyujing group) moved in. In the middle period of Emperor Chienlung’s rule (around 1766), Minchiuan Jinjiang County Dongshih’s Wu Zih came to develop Dingdongshih. In the final period of Emperor Chienlung’s rule (around 1786), Minchiuan Jinjiang County’s 5 Tsai brothers (of the Meilin group) came to cultivate. In addition, the same county’s Cendou townsman Shiao Hanwen’s descendents moved from Budaizuei to cultivate Sankuaicuo Village.
During Emperor Jiaching’s rule (1796 to 1820), Minchiuan Jinjiang County’s Ke Chianli and Nanan County’s Hou Fen successively came to cultivate. In the middle period of Emperor Shianfong’s rule (around 1856), Minchiuan Jinjiang’s Juang Hai moved from Guogou Yandizai to Lizihlun.
In the Japanese colonial period, the service bureau was established and later changed to Chiayi Hall Dongshih Branch Office. In Taishō 9 (1920) it was changed to Dongshih Village of Dongshih Prefecture and put under jurisdiction of Tainan State. After restoration it was renamed Dongshih Township of Dongshih District, and put under jurisdiction of the Tainan County.
In 1950, the Dongshih Township was put under jurisdiction of Chiayi County.
II. Geographical environment:
Dongshih Township is located on the west shore of the Chianan Plain, measuring 14km’s along the coastline. The landform is an alluvial plain, with an area of approximately 82 square kilometers. The township has a total of 23 villages and a population of approximately 30,000. Puzih City and Lioujiao Township are on its eastern border, the Taiwan Strait on its western, Beigansi, Yulin County’s Kouhu Township and Shueilin Township on its northern and Budai on its southern border. The township has three rivers flowing through it and into the ocean, namely Puzihsi, Lioujiaopaishuei and Beigangsi.
Due to the township’s seashore location and land subsidence, the land has become heavily salinized and thus unsuitable for farming, so it had to be turned into fish farms. The township currently has more than 2,000 hectares of fishing farms. The west seashore is one of the important locations for salt production by means of brine evaporation in the early years. In the Japanese colonial period, Wangliao Village and Jhangtan Village (Baishueihu) were developed into salt fields, covering some 300 to 400 hectares. However, as salt making through brine evaporation is no longer cost-effective, production has been stopped, though part of the fields remain intact, and has become one of the township’s featured sceneries. The township’s climate is tropical, though the amount of rainfall and sea breeze are sufficient for modulation. The average yearly temperature of 22.5 degrees Celsius, with an average yearly rainfall of 1706.7 millimeters and average sunshine of 2064 hours, making it suitable for agriculture and fishery.
It is connected outwards mainly through County Route No.168 and Provincial Highway No.17. In addition, the Provincial Highway No.61 (West Coastal Highway) also has an access road into the township’s Wangliao Village (No. 170), making the township’s future transportation very convenient.
III. Dongshih’s tourist’s destinations:
1. Weitan tour: welcome the first glimmering of daylight and enjoy the ecology.
2. Jhouzih sunset: admire the sunset and watch the birds fly home.
3. Lusih forest: egrets and mynas.
4. Puzihsi bank: ride on bamboo rafts and tour the Cingsi.
5. Fisherman’s wharf: enjoy the sea breeze and carefreeness.
6. Dongshih Lake—climb high and look at the ocean from afar.
7. Aogu Wetland—tour the Shi lake and watch birds.
8. Waisanding Offshore Sandbar—floating island, sand-walking.
