Wed, Dec 06, 2006 page13

• Explore the culture in Penghu

  • Provided by Tourism Bureau Penghu County Government
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  History

  Penghu was developed quite early. According to historic records, people have inhabited here during the Shui and Tang dynasties. In the 6th year of Shuiyang of the Shui dynasty, Emperor Shuiyang used to send Chenlin to develop Penghu. In the middle era of Emperor Shenchung of the Tang dynasty, Shi Chienwu settled in Penghu.

  In the 7th year of Emperor Shiaochung of the South Sung, Penghu became a part of China domain. It was officially established in the 18th year of the Chih Yuan reign of the Yuan dynasty. It was the first officially established island of Taiwan Province.

  

  Traditional Residence in Erkan (二崁古厝) Erkan village has a lot of interesting things ranging from exhibitions of artifacts to children's toy, those are waiting to be explored. If you are interested to pay a visit, please make an appointment in advance. You can peer through the window lattice to glimpse the diligent lifestyle of the well-known "Chen's Traditional Residence" in Erkan.

  PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOURISM BUREAU PENGHU COUNTY GOVERNMENT

  In the early of the Ming dynasty, because people immigrated to Mainland China and the imperial government abolished the official control, Penghu was occupied by pirates. In the 2nd year of Tien Chi of the Ming dynasty, Dutch invaded Penghu, building up forts for coast defense. In the 4th year, Dutch troops were defeated and then invaded Tainan in Taiwan.

  Because of the failure of the Sino-Japanese War, the Ching dynasty was forced to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki, ceding Taiwan and Penghu to Japan. In 1945, after defeating Japan, Penghu officially established a county government. In 1981, Makung Town promoted to be Makung City.

  

  Jhongshe Village, Wangan Island (望安中社) Traditional residences constructed out of aged corallites are preserved very well in the jhongshe Village in the center of eastern Wangan Island. These rare ancient buildings marks 300 years of Penghu's traditional history, making them a must-go tourist spot and a world-class cultural heritage site deserving of protection.

  Archaeologists have found that there existed on Penghu's main island and other small islands as early as four to five thousand years ago "crude rope, striped pottery", "thin rope, striped pottery', and "simply decorated, red clay pottery" cultures, to name just a few, thereby verifying the origins of the cultural heritage of these islands.

  Culture

  Like pearls scattering in the East Sea, the Penghu archipelago is located in the southwest of the Taiwan Strait. It is between Chiai county and Kimen county, facing Taiwan on the east, and Fuchien Province on the west, linking Matsu archipelago, Tachen island and Choushan archipelago on the north, and Tungsha islands and Nansha islands on the south.

  The interlocking influences of environment, the Han culture and historical factors have combined to form unique human characteristics in the Penghus. Immigrants from along the coast of Fuchien Province established here a lifestyle to accommodate themselves and cope with nature, and the traditional Chinese agricultural culture had to be adjusted to the effects of barren land, high winds, and lack of rainfall on these islands, as most of the inhabitants made their living by fishing, Europeans called it "Islands of the Fishermen."

  Penghu's inhabitants have lived a very simple life and have adapted to their natural circumstances. The area itself, largely under tight security measures given the military value arising from its strategic geographical position, has never been developed on a large scale. Its long-time cultural assets, and a unique life-style that adapts to nature in harmony instead of undertaking full-scale development, have therefore been able to be maintained as a basic and appropriate means by which mankind copes with the nature.

  For more information, please visit www.tour.penghu.gov.tw
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