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Pingtung County 屏東縣Pîn-tong County
County
Left:Sunset view of Erluanbi Light House in Kenting National Park, Baisha Port in Lamay Island, Wanchin Immaculate Conception Church, Jialeshui Beach, Right:Donggang Donglong Temple, Jinde Bridge in Donggang River, Hengchun Ancient City Wall (all item from above to bottom)
FlagLogo
Pingtung County in Taiwan
Coordinates: 22°40′31.78″N 120°29′29.09″E / 22.6754944°N 120.4914139°E / 22.6754944; 120.4914139
Country	Republic of China (Taiwan)
Province	Taiwan Province (de facto dissolved)
Region	Southern Taiwan
Seat	Pingtung City
Largest city	Pingtung City
Boroughs	1 cities, 32 (3 urban, 29 rural) townships
Government
• Body	Pingtung County Government Pingtung County Council
• County Magistrate	Chou Chun-mi (DPP)
Area
• Total	2,775.6003 km (1,071.6653 sq mi)
• Rank	5 of 22
Population
• Total	793,959
• Rank	10 of 22
• Density	290/km (740/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+8 (National Standard Time)
ISO 3166 code	TW-PIF
Website	www.pthg.gov.tw
Symbols
Flower	Hairy Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea brasiliensis)
Tree	Coconut tree

Pingtung County (Chinese: 屏東縣; pinyin: Píngdōng Xìan) is a county located in southern Taiwan. It has a warm tropical monsoon climate and is known for its agriculture and tourism. Kenting National Park, Taiwan's oldest national park, is located in the county. The county seat is Pingtung City.

Name

The name Pingtung means "east of Banping mountain", referring to a nearby mountain known as Banping mountain (Chinese: 半屏山; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Pòaⁿ-pêng-soaⁿ).

History

Early history

Aboriginal inhabitants of Liuqiu Island (13 km  southwest of Taiwan, and now part of Pingtung County) killed Dutch sailors on two occasions. In response, in the spring of 1636, Dutch sailors carried out a punitive campaign that became known as the Lamey Island Massacre.

Modern-day Pingtung County and Kaohsiung City were part of Banlian-chiu (萬年州; Bān-liân-chiu) during the Kingdom of Tungning (1661–1683) and Fongshan Prefecture (鳳山縣; Hōng-soaⁿ-koān) during Qing dynasty rule (1683–1895).

Until the seventeenth century, this area of Taiwan was a place of exile for Chinese criminals and the occasional landing point for international mariners. Only the settlements near present-day Checheng Township existed. In 1664, the Hakka settlers arrived from mainland China and farmed under a homesteading system introduced by Zheng Jing.

Pingtung City, the biggest city in Pingtung County, also known as "A-Kau" (阿猴; A-kâu, English: the forest), was the home of Taiwanese Plains Aborigines.

In 1684, settlers from China's southern Fujian region created the first Han Chinese villages near Pingtung. By 1734, most of the Pingtung Plain was cultivated, and Pingtung was expanded in 1764. In 1836, the government and locals worked together to build the city's four walls (the North Gate, the East Gate, the West Gate, and the South gate), and the roads were completed.

In March 1867, fourteen American sailors were killed near Kenting by local aborigines in the Rover incident, which lead to the failed American Formosa Expedition three months later. In 1871, local aborigines killed 54 sailors from Ryukyu in the Mudan Incident. The Japanese carried out a punitive campaign against the local aborigines in the 1874 Japanese invasion of Taiwan.

Empire of Japan

Under Japanese rule (1895–1945), Hōzan Subprefecture (Japanese: 鳳山支廳); Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Hōng-soaⁿ Chi-thiaⁿ was initially under Tainan Ken (臺南縣); Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tâi-lâm-koān, but political divisions frequently changed between 1895 and 1901. In 1901, Akō Chō (阿猴廳); Pe̍h-ōe-jī: A-kâu-thiaⁿ was established. In 1909, the name changed to Akō Chō (阿緱廳); Pe̍h-ōe-jī: A-kâu-thiaⁿ. In 1920, the name was changed to Heitō City (屏東市); Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Pîn-tong-chhī and was under Takao Prefecture administration, which consisted of modern-day Pingtung County and Kaohsiung.

Republic of China

Following the handover of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China on 25 October 1945, the area of present-day Pingtung County was incorporated into Kaohsiung County on 25 December 1945. On 16 August 1950, Pingtung County was established after being separated from Kaohsiung County. On 1 December 1951, Pingtung City was downgraded from provincial city to county-administered city and made the county seat of Pingtung County.

Pingtung was the site of a 7.1 magnitude earthquake on 26 December 2006. In 2009, due to Typhoon Morakot, Pingtung received over 2,500 millimetres (98 in) of rainfall, breaking records for any place in Taiwan struck by a single typhoon.

Geography

With a land area of over 2,775 km (1,071 sq mi), Pingtung is the fifth-largest county in Taiwan, and the second-largest of Southern Taiwan after Kaohsiung City. Geographically, it borders Kaohsiung City to the north, Taitung County to the east, the Taiwan Strait to the west and the Bashi Channel to the south. Islands administered by the county include Hsiao Liuchiu (Lamay Islet; 琉球嶼) and Qixingyan (Seven Star Reefs; 七星岩).

Climate

Located in the southernmost part of Taiwan, Pingtung County is known for one of the warmest climates within the country. It has a tropical monsoon climate bordering on a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen climate classifications: Am bordering on Aw). The climate differs across the large county due to its varying geography.

Northern Pingtung, where Pingtung City is located, is characterized by high daytime temperatures year-round with average daytime highs of 30–40 °C (86–104 °F) from April to November, and 25–28 °C (77–82 °F) from December to March. The lowest nighttime temperatures are around 16 °C (61 °F), due to distance from the sea.

Central Pingtung, such as the coastal Fangliao Township, has a lower daytime temperatures and warmer nights due to the regulating effect of the ocean, which is especially noticeable during winter.

The mildest climate of Pingtung is at its southern tip, the Hengchun Peninsula, which is nearly surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Daily highs reach 29–32 °C (84–90 °F) during summer and 23–26 °C (73–79 °F) during winter. Nighttime temperatures remain warm throughout the year with lows of around 25 °C (77 °F) during summer and 19 °C (66 °F) during the winter.

Government

Administrative divisions

Pingtung County is divided into 1 city, 3 urban townships, 21 rural townships, and 8 indigenous mountain townships. Pingtung County has the largest number of rural townships and mountain indigenous townships among the counties of Taiwan.

Colors indicate the statutory language status of Hakka and Formosan languages in the respective subdivisions.

Politics

Pingtung City is the county seat of Pingtung County which houses the Pingtung County Government and Pingtung County Council. The county head is Magistrate Pan Men-an of the Democratic Progressive Party. Pingtung County elected three Democratic Progressive Party legislators to the Legislative Yuan during the 2016 legislative election.

Demographics

Pingtung is home to the indigenous Rukai and Paiwan tribes, which makes up 7% of the population. As of January 2023, the total population of Pingtung County was 798,940. The county has been experiencing population decline for 15 consecutive years due to emigration to other cities.

Religion

As of 2015, Pingtung County had 1,101 registered temples, the third highest amongst Taiwan's counties after Tainan and Kaohsiung. Donglong Temple and Checheng Fu'an Temple are some of the most prominent temples in the county. Indigenous tribes like Makatao people also have their own places of worship like Jiaruipu Temple.

Economy

The agriculture and fishing industries dominate the county's economy. In recent years, the county has also promoted the tourism sector, which constituted 30% of Taiwan's tourism industry in 2015.

In February 2014, the county government announced a plan to develop an industrial center that consists of a service center, workshop, and performance venue. The aim is to promote the development of industries that leverage the unique cultural attributes of the Linali tribe. On 22 September 2015, the National Development Council revealed a three-year large-scale development plan to boost the economy of the county by transforming Dapeng Bay, Donggang Township, and Lamay Island into a fishery, recreational, and tourism hub.

Education

Universities and colleges

• Meiho University
• National Pingtung University (amalgamation of National Pingtung University of Education and National Pingtung Institute of Commerce)
• National Pingtung University of Science and Technology
• Tajen University
• Tzu Hui Institute of Technology

High schools

• Pingtung Senior High School
• Pingtung Girl's Senior High School
• Da-Tong Senior High School
• Chao-Chou Senior High School

Energy

Pingtung County houses Taiwan's third nuclear power plant, the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant. The power plant is located in Hengchun Township. It is Taiwan's second-largest nuclear power plant in terms of its capacity at 2 × 890 MW.

Transportation

Rail

The Pingtung Line and South-Link Line of the Taiwan Railways Administration cross Pingtung County. These lines service Central Signal, Chaozhou, Donghai, Fangliao, Fangshan, Fangye Signal, Guilai, Jiadong, Jialu, Kanding, Linbian, Linluo, Liukuaicuo, Nanzhou, Neishi, Pingtung, Xishi, Zhen'an and Zhutian Station. The Pingtung Line links Pingtung County with Kaohsiung City, while the South-Link Line links Pingtung County with Taitung County.

Ferries

Ferry service operates between Donggang Township and Baisha Port and Dafu Port on the offshore Lamay Island.

Tourist attractions

• Ahou City Gate
• Black Dwarf Cave
• Black Pearl – Top Quality Wax Apple
• Checheng Fuan Temple
• Chaolin Temple
• Danlin Suspension Bridge
• Donglong Temple
• Eluanbi Lighthouse
• Fangliao F3 Art Venue
• Fangshan Post Office
• Hengchun Chuhuo Natural Fire
• Indigenous Culture Hall
• Jialeshuei
• Jiaruipu Temple
• Jiuru Sanshan Guowang Temple
• Kaoping Iron Railway Bridge
• Kaoping Riverfront Park
• Kapok Trees
• Kenting National Park
• Kentington Resort
• Kuan Hai Shan Academy
• Landscape of Manjhou
• Linben Riverfront Park
• Linhousilin Forest Park
• Liudui Hakka Cultural Park
• Loacijia Slate Houses
• Longkeng Conservation Area
• Longluan Lake
• Longpan Park
• Mobitou
• Mudan Dam
• Museum of Traditional Theater
• National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium
• Old House of Siiao Family
• Penbay International Circuit
• Pingtung Art Museum
• Pingtung Hakka Cultural Museum
• Shuangliu Forest Recreation Area
• Sinpi Jian-gong Water Park
• South Bay
• Taipower Exhibit Center in Southern Taiwan
• Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park
• Tongkang Mosque
• Wanchin Church
• Yang Family Ancestral Hall
• Zhong-Sheng-Gong Memorial

See also

• List of county magistrates of Pingtung
• List of Taiwanese superlatives

Notes

1. Located just a few minutes'walk from Fangliao train station, the art village stretches around 3,000 square meters which provides artists in residence plenty of room to work and live. Converted from old dormitories that once belonged to the Taiwan Railway Administration, the art village has been part of the Art Network of Railway Warehouses run by the Council for Cultural Affairs since 2002.

References

1. 105年05月屏東縣人口統計表. www.pthg.gov.tw (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
2. Mandarin pinyin: Píngdōng Xiàn, Wade-Giles: Pʻing²-tung¹ Hsien⁴; Hokkien POJ: Pîn-tong-koān; Hakka PFS: Phìn-tûng-yan; Paiwan: Akaw/Qakaw
3. Cultural Heritage of Pingtung, County Cultural Center. "A-Hou City Gate". Retrieved 24 March 2021.
4. "Rezoning Taiwan". Taiwan Today. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
5. "Climate". Central Weather Bureau. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
6. "Climate". Central Weather Bureau. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014.
7. 1.7-鄉鎮市區戶口數 [Population for Township and District]. Ministry of the Interior (in Chinese (Taiwan) and English). August 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020. 屏東縣 Pingtung County屏東市 Pingtung City潮州鎮 Chaojhou Township東港鎮 Donggang Township恆春鎮 Hengchun Township萬丹鄉 Wandan Township長治鄉 Changjhih Township麟洛鄉 Linluo Township九如鄉 Jiouru Township里港鄉 Ligang Township鹽埔鄉 Yanpu Township高樹鄉 Gaoshu Township萬巒鄉 Wanluan Township內埔鄉 Neipu Township竹田鄉 Jhutian Township新埤鄉 Sinbi Township枋寮鄉 Fangliao Township新園鄉 Sinyuan Township崁頂鄉 Kanding Township林邊鄉 Linbian Township南州鄉 Nanjhou Township佳冬鄉 Jiadong Township琉球鄉 Liouciou Township車城鄉 Checheng Township滿州鄉 Manjhou Township枋山鄉 Fangshan Township三地門鄉 Sandimen Township霧臺鄉 Wutai Township瑪家鄉 Majia Township泰武鄉 Taiwu Township來義鄉 Laiyi Township春日鄉 Chunrih Township獅子鄉 Shihzih Township牡丹鄉 Mudan Township
8. "2016 The 14th Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and The 9th Legislator Election". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
9. "2016 The 14th Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and The 9th Legislator Election". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
10. "2016 The 14th Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and The 9th Legislator Election". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
11. "PINGTUNG County Government". Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
12. Hou, Cheng-hsu; Chang, Tsun-wei; Chung, Jack (11 January 2017). "Pingtung population falls for 15th consecutive year". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
13. "Pingtung population falls for 14th consecutive year". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
14. "About Pingtung". Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
15. "Industry development center almost ready in Pingtung County: Gov't - the China Post". Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
16. "NDC rolls out Pingtung County development plan - Taiwan Today". Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
17. "Art at the Crossroads: F3's Undetermined Future in Fangliao", by Eva Tang, 12 February 2009, Taiwan Culture Portal http://www.culture.tw/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1114&Itemid=157 Archived 30 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine

External links

• Pingtung County Government
• i-Pingtung - Tourist Service
• Geographic data related to Pingtung County at OpenStreetMap

v t e Places adjacent to Pingtung County
Kaohsiung City Fujian / Taiwan Strait (South China Sea) Pingtung County Taitung County Guangdong / South China Sea Bashi Channel Batanes  Philippines

v t e Cities and townships of Pingtung County
County seat: Pingtung City
Cities	Pingtung City
Urban townships	Chaozhou Donggang Hengchun
Rural townships	Changzhi Checheng Fangliao Fangshan Gaoshu Jiadong Jiuru Kanding Ligang Linbian Linluo Liuqiu Manzhou Nanzhou Neipu Wandan Wanluan Xinpi Xinyuan Yanpu Zhutian
Mountain indigenous townships	Chunri Laiyi Majia Mudan Sandimen Shizi Taiwu Wutai

• Pingtung County