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Taoyuan, Taiwan

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Taoyuan is a special municipality located in northwestern Taiwan.

It serves as a major urban and industrial center for the region. The city borders New Taipei City to the northeast and Yilan County to the southeast. To the southwest, it neighbors Hsinchu County. Taoyuan has grown significantly due to its proximity to the capital, Taipei. It is now the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Taiwan. It also ranks as the fifth-largest populated city in the country.

The geography of Taoyuan is diverse and varied. The landscape consists of low-lying plains, interconnected mountains, and plateaus. The city follows a long, narrow trend from the southeast to the northwest. In the southeast, the land is part of the Xueshan Range. The far end of the city reaches the shores of the Taiwan Strait. On the Taoyuan Plateau, there are many irrigation ponds. These ponds earned the area the nickname "Thousand-pond Township."

Taoyuan City Administrative Divisions Map
Taoyuan City Administrative Divisions Map

The history of Taoyuan involves many different groups of people. In ancient times, the Taiwanese plains aborigines lived on the Taoyuan plateau. Later, the Ketagalan people settled in the area. During the Qing era, immigrants from Fujian and Guangdong provinces arrived to farm the land. They planted peach trees that bloomed beautifully in the spring. This is why "Taoyuan" means "peach garden" in Chinese. During the Japanese era, the area became a multicultural hub.

桃園市政府辦公大樓
桃園市政府辦公大樓

Taoyuan has undergone several administrative changes over the years. After the transfer from Japan to the Republic of China, the area was part of Hsinchu County. Taoyuan County was established as a separate entity in 1950. In 1971, Taoyuan City became the county seat. The Executive Yuan approved a plan to upgrade the county in 2009. On December 25, 2014, Taoyuan officially became a special municipality.

Taoyuan City Council Hall 2020-04-28
Taoyuan City Council Hall 2020-04-28

The population of Taoyuan is ethnically diverse. The Minnan people, or Hoklos, are one of the largest groups. They mostly live in the northern districts, including the Taoyuan District city centre. The Hakka are the second-largest ethnic group. Taoyuan hosts the largest Hakka population of any administrative division in Taiwan. Most Hakka people live in the southern rural villages. After the Chinese Civil War in 1949, many Waishengren settled in military dependents' villages.

Population density map of Taoyuan City (Dec 2019)
Population density map of Taoyuan City (Dec 2019)

Taoyuan is a powerhouse for the economy and technology. It is a leading center for electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. More than 200 of Taiwan's top 500 manufacturing companies have factories here. The city has led Taiwan in industrial output for nine straight years. Many high-tech companies, such as HTC and Quanta, are located here. The city also manages the Taoyuan International Airport.

CKS Airport Terminal Two
CKS Airport Terminal Two

This airport is a vital hub for northern Taiwan. Major airlines like China Airlines and EVA Air have headquarters in the city.

There are many notable sites for tourism and culture. Daxi Old Street is famous for its Baroque-style buildings. The Tianhou Temple features a massive bronze statue of the Goddess Mazu. This statue is the second-tallest in Taiwan. For nature, the Shihmen Reservoir provides water for Taoyuan and surrounding districts. Lala Mountain contains ancient "divine trees" that are hundreds of years old.

Visitors can also explore the Xpark public aquarium. The city also contains the Cihu Mausoleum, the final resting place of Chiang Kai-shek.

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🖼️ Images & Media (17)
Taiwan-fromair Dec2013.ogv
File:Population density map of Taoyuan City (Dec 2019).png
Population density map of Taoyuan City...
File:虎頭山環保公園 桃園市景 Taoyuan City from Hutoushan Green Park - panoramio.jpg
虎頭山環保公園 桃園市景 Taoyuan City from Hutoushan...
File:桃園市政府辦公大樓.jpg
桃園市政府辦公大樓.jpg
File:Taoyuan City Council Hall 2020-04-28.jpg
Taoyuan City Council Hall 2020-04-28.jpg
File:張善政院長.jpg
張善政院長.jpg
File:Taoyuan City Administrative Divisions Map.png
Taoyuan City Administrative Divisions Map.png
File:Central University of JhongliⅡ.jpg
Central University of JhongliⅡ.jpg
File:R.O.C(Taiwan) NDU side gate on Shingfeng Road.jpg
R.O.C(Taiwan) NDU side gate on Shingfeng Road.jpg
File:陸軍專科學校正門.jpg
陸軍專科學校正門.jpg
File:Taoyuan Main Public Library 2022-12-22 (2).jpg
Taoyuan Main Public Library 2022-12-22 (2).jpg
File:Taoyuan International Baseball field,20091213.JPG
Taoyuan International Baseball field,20091213.JPG

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