Sinhua District


Sinhua District, alternatively spelled Xinhua, is a suburban district in central Tainan, Taiwan.

History

Before the Dutch and Han Chinese invaded, this region was home to a community of Taiwanese aborigines, the Siraya. In 1624, the VOC occupied Tayuan.
In the past, the Siraya indigenous tribe called this place Tavocan. Tavakan was a village of about a thousand people; the name was also written Taffacan, Tavocan, Tavacang, and Davocan in Dutch records. The village grew into the market-town of Twa-bak-kang, about southeast of Sin-kang.
After 1627, the VOC sent missionaries into neighboring districts. In 1635, George Candidius, a Dutch pastor, advised Pieter Nuyts, the leader of the Dutch VOC in Taiwan, that the VOC would have to conquer the aborigines before they could be controlled. In 1636, eighteen tribal groups, including the inhabitants of Tavocan, submitted to Dutch rule.
Since the early part of the 20th century, Sinhua has been an important fruit wholesaling center. Around 1920, dozens of baroque-influenced store buildings were constructed along what is now Jhongjheng Road. Most of these buildings survive in good condition, and the street, known as "Sinhua Old Street," has become a tourist attraction.
In 1945, Sinshih Township was part of Sinhua District.
The Taiwan Communist Party was established on 20 June 2008 in Sinhua.

Geography

Much of the township is rural, with large areas devoted to pineapple cultivation. Sinhua is located on Taiwan Highway No. 20, also known as the Southern Cross-Island Highway, and Freeway Nos. 3 and 8. It borders Yongkang City, Shanshang, Sinshih and Guanmiao townships.
The eastern half of the township lies within the Siraya National Scenic Area.

Administrative divisions

The district consists of Wu-An/Wuan, Dong-Rong/Tungrong, Hu-Guo/Huguo, Tai-Ping/Taiping, Sie-Sing/Xiexing, Fong-Kou/Fengkou, Bei-Shih/Beishi, Fong-Rong/Fengrong, Cyan-Sing/Quanxing, Lun-Ding/Lunding, Jhih-Yi/Zhiyi, Shan-Jiao/Shanjiao, Da-Keng/Dakeng, Na-Ba/Naba, Yang-Lin/Xianglin, Jiao-Keng/Jiaokeng Village.

Institutions

Special School

The Sinhua Bus Station is located in the district. The district is connected to Kaohsiung at Alian District through the Provincial Highway 39.
The Taiwan High Speed Rail track passes through the western part of the township; no station is planned, however.

Notable natives