Beigan, Lienchiang

Beigan Township
北竿鄉
Rural Township
Beigan Township · 北竿鄉

Beigan Township in Lienchiang County
Coordinates: 26°13′25″N 119°59′21″E / 26.22361°N 119.98917°E / 26.22361; 119.98917Coordinates: 26°13′25″N 119°59′21″E / 26.22361°N 119.98917°E / 26.22361; 119.98917
Country  Taiwan
County Lienchiang County
Area
 • Total 9.90 km2 (3.82 sq mi)
Population (Dec. 2014)
 • Total 2,320
 • Density 230/km2 (610/sq mi)
Postal code 210
Area code(s) (0)836
Website www.beigan.gov.tw
Beigan Township view from Bishen Hill

Beigan Township (Chinese: 北竿鄉; pinyin: Běigān Xiāng; Báe̤k-găng-hiŏng), is one of the five major islands of the Matsu Islands, is officially administrated as Lienchiang County by the Republic of China (Taiwan). Beigan Township refers to the administrative subdivision that also includes the major island, Beigan island, as well as other smaller islands of Matsu such as Gao-dan island (高登島), Lian island (亮島). This township served as one of the Three Links to mainland China before direct links between Taiwan and the PRC were reestablished.

History

Beigan was firstly developed during the Song and Yuan Dynasty. In the Ming Dynasty, the island went out of cultivation for several times due to the three "moves". Pirates also were often seen in the area.[1]

Republic of China

Beigan's vast resources of fish attracted many coastal Fujian residents to settle in the area to fish. In 1949, with the establishment of the People's Republic of China in Mainland China, Matsu was separated from the mainland and was subsequently incorporated under Lienchiang County by the Government of the Republic of China.

Geography

Beigan Township is located approximately 114 nautical miles northwest from Taiwan Island. The township is located to the north relatively to the other Matsu Islands and it is the second largest island of all five only after Nangan. It also has the second largest population area among other townships in the county.[2] The most populous and convenient area of Beigan is Tan-chi village (塘岐村) (this is also the place where major shops and restaurant are located).[3]

Beigan is a long and narrow island with tall mountains. Its highest peak is Mount Bishan, standing at 298 meters. The terrain of the rest of the island rises and falls with large numbers of sandy beaches and outlying islands.[4]

Administrative divisions

Chinbi Village

There is a small reef just a few meters outside the beach of Chinbi which is about 5m high. The highest peak on the island of Beigan is Bishan peaking at 294m. The whole island is divided into 6 villages:

Economy

There is one official branch store of 7-Eleven at the village of Tanchi on the island of Beigan and several other shops on the island. Commercial stores are limited, however, there is an official store of the Republic of China Armed Forces that is opened for all customers. The main source of income are tourism and spendings by the military personnel that serves to protect the island. There are about few hundreds to thousand soldiers located in the island roughly divided into five armed forces. There are no banks on the island of Beigan, however, the Chunghwa Post office serves as a commission to transact funds, process saving and account withdraw.

Education

Ban Li Elementary School

There are one middle school and two elementary schools located on the island of Beigan. The library of Beigan opens daily from Wednesday to Sundays with the exception of national holidays.

Medical Institutions

Tourist attractions

Transportation

Matsu Beigan Airport
Beigan Harbor

Air

Matsu Beigan Airport set here as gateway between Matsu Islands and Taiwan Island at Taipei Songshan Airport and Taichung Airport.

Sea

The township houses the Beigan Harbor. There are commercial boat rides from Nangan regularly for about 10–15 minutes. From Taiwan Island, boats depart from Port of Keelung to Nangan, then transfer by ferry to Beigan.

Starting 23 December 2015, there will be direct ferry service between Beigan and Huangqi in Lianjiang County, Fuzhou, Fujian, Mainland China.[6]

Road

Roads in Beigan are served by taxi or rented cars and buses.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Beigan, Lienchiang.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.beigan.gov.tw/en.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.matsu-nsa.gov.tw/user/Article.aspx?a=28&l=2
  3. ↑ "Beigan - Matsu National Scenic Area". Matsu-nsa.gov.tw. 2010-01-16. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
  4. ↑ http://www.matsu-nsa.gov.tw/user/Article.aspx?a=28&l=2
  5. ↑ http://www.matsu.gov.tw/en/page/Location1.php
  6. ↑ http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201512210005.aspx
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