Nantou County

Nantou County is the second largest county in Taiwan by land area.

It is located in the central part of the island. This county is unique because it is the only non-coastal county in Taiwan. The landscape is mostly mountainous and very diverse. To the east, the terrain includes parts of the Central Mountain Range. This range contains Yu Shan, which is the highest mountain in Taiwan.

These mountains provide a home for rare species like the leopard cat and the Taiwanese pangolin.

The history of the region began with indigenous groups like the Atayal, Bunun, and Tsou. The name "Nantou" comes from the Hoanya word "Ramtau." During the period of Qing rule, many indigenous groups lived here with great autonomy. They remained largely isolated from the central government. In 1677, a general named Lin Yi established a residence in what is now Zhushan. Han Chinese settlers began entering the area via the Zhuoshui and Maoluo Rivers.

This movement eventually changed the local population and land use.

Relationships between settlers and indigenous people were often difficult. In 1740, Qing authorities assigned the surname Pan to indigenous people. Contact between Han Chinese settlers and local groups often resulted in violence. In 1726, a Qing governor launched an invasion following an incident of headhunting by a Thao hunter. This invasion ended the Thao practice of headhunting. Later, in 1814, a group of over 100 Han Chinese led by Guo Bainian massacred indigenous people in the Puli basin. The territory was eventually returned to the Thao in 1816.

Japanese rule began after the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895. The Japanese government brought the area under full central control. This was a difficult process that included assimilation policies. The government banned indigenous languages and cultural practices. They even banned facial tattoos, which were a sign of beauty for some women. Many indigenous people were forced to take new last names. The Japanese also declared that any land without a formal title belonged to the state. This meant much of the mountainous eastern area became government-owned land.

Industrialization changed the landscape during the Japanese period. The government saw Sun Moon Lake as a way to create hydropower. To build the Mingtan Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant, they relocated Thao and Chinese settlers.

By 1934, the lake was deeper because many areas were flooded. The Japanese also built a railway in 1918 to export sugar. In 1922, they finished the Jiji line to move goods and boost tourism.

This line helped transport bananas, rice, camphor, and wood. Some wood from Mount Danda was even used to build a torii at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine.

Conflict also occurred during this era, such as the Musha Incident in 1930. More than 300 Seediq men attacked 12 police stations. This event led to a heavy military response from the Japanese. These historical tensions helped shape the modern ethnic identities of indigenous groups. After 1945, Taiwan was handed over to the Republic of China. In 1950, Nantou County was officially established by separating from Taichung County. The town of Nantou was chosen as the county seat.

Today, Nantou County has a population of approximately 470,000 people. It is led by a magistrate who heads the local government.

The economy relies on agriculture, hydroelectric power, and a large tourism industry. Sun Moon Lake is the largest lake in Taiwan and a major destination.

The Thao people still live around the lake and maintain their culture. Other groups like the Atayal and Seediq also have communities in the area. Modern education in the county reflects these indigenous cultures.

The region remains a place where natural beauty and complex history meet.