Every place has an origin behind its name, and Zhuqi is no exception. The township is covered with hills and abundantly produces Ma bamboo {Makino bamboo, Moso bamboo}. After the bamboos are cut down and cultivated, bamboo heads can be seen everywhere in the bamboo forest, thus Zhuqi was previously referred to as “Jhutouci” (literally bamboo head steep). “Ci” means “steep” in Taiwanese. It wasn’t until Taiwan’s restoration that the township was, in Janauary of 1946, renamed “Zhuqi,” and subordinate to Tainan County. On October 25, 1950, it was put under Chiayi County’s jurisdiction.
Zhuqi Township is a medium-sized township located at the foot of Alishan. Currently it has 24 villages, with a population of approximately 38,710 (July 2010). Its administrative district includes plains measuring more than a hundred meters, to hills gradually steeping to high mountains and lofty peaks, with the highest mountain—Dadong Mountain, measuring an altitude of some 2000 meters. The total area measures approximately 243 square kilometers, and is a classic farming town with beautiful scenery and abundant agricultural products as well as a warm, friendly Shangri-La. In terms of tribal distribution, the town has residents of Fujian and other backgrounds. Approximately 60% of the population is made up of Fujian Jhangjhou people, whose ancestors migrated here to cultivate and reside during the Ching Dynasty. Other tribes are mostly from Jhao-an and Guangdong’s Dapu, making up more than 30% of the population. Due to the mixed tribal distribution, the folk culture is rich and diverse. Zhuqi Township is connected to the eastern tip of the Chianan Plain, and its main industry is agriculture. 78% of the population farm for a living, and the an air of farming villages can be felt in this down-to-earth, clean town. Fresh and delicious organic fruits and vegetables are produced year-round, and guests who have traveled from afar are served with the Alishan tea, such as October (Lunar Calendar) Longan, Gaojieli, Gaoshan Tea, Pineapple No.4, Lychee, Sweet Orange, Jinlong Jujube, Mother-of-pearl-plant, etc. No matter which season you visit Zhuqi, please personally taste these mountain-produced delicacies! Chiayi County’s Zhuqi Township is located in the northeast of Chiayi City, neighboring Meishan Townshpi at the north, Fanlu Township at the South, Minsyong Township at the west and connected to Alishan at the east. The famous Fencihu scenic site is in the adjacent Jhonghe Village. After 2003, there were four more villages—Wunfong Village, Jinshih Village, Renshou Village, Guanghua Village were included into Alishan’s national scenic district along with the previous Jhonghe Village, showing that Zhuqi has excellent qualities and potential for development in terms of natural scenery resources. Alisan forest railway runs east-west through Zhuqi from Chiayi City to Alishan Township, with beautiful scenes along the path and natural and artificial scenery at every station worthy of walking tours. Zhuqi has several scenic districts, such as Fencihu; Hongjing Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in Taiwan (206 meters); Dadongshan National Forest Trail, etc., all of which are far more well-known than Zhuqi. Nevertheless, the beauty of Zhuqi lies in not only these famous sites, but also many more nature sceneries, including Guanyin Waterfall, Dakeng Wangcuo Ancient Tracks, Fonglaisian “Caigong Shan” Ancient Mountain Tracks, Jinshih Village Hiking Trail, Renshou Village Four Heavenly Kings Mountain, Yuntan Waterfall, Yuantan Waterfall, Jiadong Scenic District, Former Residence of Wufeng, Dulishan National Forest Trail, Spring Water Park, Zhuqi Park, Tanghu Ancient Tracks which has Wonghongtan Waterfall, etc. Office address: No.59, Jhongshan Rd., Zhuqi Village, Zhuqi Township.
View Larger Map