Beigan

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title: "Beigan" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["beigan-township"] topic_path: "general/beigan-township" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beigan" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameBeigan Township
native_name北竿鄉
native_name_langzh-tw
other_namePeikan
settlement_typeRural Township
image_skyline北竿螺山步道 Beigan Luoshan Trail - panoramio.jpg
image_captionBeigan Luoshan Trail
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_name
subdivision_type1Province
subdivision_name1Fujian (streamlined)
subdivision_type2County
subdivision_name2Lienchiang County Lienchiang
parts6
parts_typeRural villages
leader_titleMayor
leader_nameChen Ju-lan (陳如嵐)
leader_partyKMT
area_total_km29.3
area_footnotes
population_total3155
population_as_ofMarch 2023
population_footnotes
population_density_km2auto
timezoneNational Standard Time
utc_offset+8
website
image_mapLienchiangadm.PNG
map_captionBeigan Township in Lienchiang County
<!--pushpin_map
pushpin_map_captionLocation in the Republic of China--
coordinates
postal_code_typePostal code
postal_code210
area_code(0)836
::

|name = Beigan Township |native_name = 北竿鄉 |native_name_lang = zh-tw |other_name = Peikan |settlement_type = Rural Township |official_name = |image_skyline = 北竿螺山步道 Beigan Luoshan Trail - panoramio.jpg |imagesize = |image_caption = Beigan Luoshan Trail |image_flag = |image_seal = |nickname = |seat = |seat_type = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Fujian (streamlined) | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name2 = Lienchiang County Lienchiang | parts = 6 | parts_type = Rural villages |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = Chen Ju-lan (陳如嵐) |leader_party = KMT |area_total_km2 = 9.3 |area_footnotes = |population_total = 3155 |population_as_of = March 2023 | population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_density_km2 = auto | timezone = National Standard Time | utc_offset = +8 |blank_name_sec1 = |blank_info_sec1 = |website = |blank_name_sec2 = |blank_info_sec2 = |blank1_name_sec2 = |blank1_info_sec2 = |blank2_name_sec2 = |blank2_info_sec2 = | image_map = Lienchiangadm.PNG |map_caption = Beigan Township in Lienchiang County |pushpin_label_position = |pushpin_map_caption = Location in the Republic of China-- |coordinates = |postal_code_type = Postal code |postal_code = 210 |area_code = (0)836 |Taiwan |label=Beigan |lat_deg=26|lat_min=13|lat_sec=25 |lon_deg=119|lon_min=59|lon_sec=21 |position=right |width=220 |float=right |relief=yes |caption=Location of Beigan, Lienchiang ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Fujian_quan_tu_LOC_96685903.jpg" caption="下竿塘}})"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/MatsuAirport.jpg" caption="Tangqi and Houwo villages from Bishan (Mount Bi)"] ::

Beigan Township (; Foochow Romanized: Báe̤k-găng-hiŏng), is an insular rural township in Lienchiang County (the Matsu Islands), Taiwan (ROC). The township is in the East China Sea off the coast of Fujian Province, China near Fuzhou (Foochow). Beigan Island, the main island of the township, is the second largest island in the Matsu Islands. Other smaller islands in the township include Daqiu Island, known for its Formosan sika deer, and Gaodeng Island and Liang Island which are off-limits to the public. The native language many of the inhabitants is Matsu dialect which is one of the statutory languages for public transport announcements in the Matsu Islands.

Name

Beigan/Peikan Township is named for Beigan Island (Peikan Island or Pei-kan), the main island in the township. Beigan Island has also been known as Pei-kan-t'ang, Pei-kan Tang / Peikantang (), Changche shan (長岐山) / Changqidao (長岐島) and Ch'ang-hsü Shan (長㠘山). In Song and Ming records, Beigan Island was called Xiagantang/Xiagantangshan (下竿塘/下干塘/下竿塘山) as opposed to Nangan Island (Matsu Island), which was called Shanggantang/Shanggantangshan (上竿塘/上干塘/上竿塘山).

History

Prehistoric settlement of Beigan dates back over six-thousand years before present.

Fishing villages were established on Beigan Island during the Song and Yuan dynasties.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the island was abandoned several times due to the Great Clearance edicts. Pirates were often seen in the area.

In 1754, a watchtower was in place on Beigan Island.

In 1869, the Qing government erected tablets in Tangqi and Qiaozi villages concerning salt taxes.

Republic of China

On August 18, 1928, during the middle of the night, the previous several days of torrential rain caused a landslide in Qiaozi resulting in the deaths of more than thirty people. One resident was rescued three days after the landslide. A family of eight was wiped out.

In 1934, a lianbao (associated bao) was created encompassing the inhabitants of the islands of Nangan, Beigan, Daqiu, Xiaoqiu, Gaodeng, Xiyang (西洋) and Dongyong (Dongyin). Later, Xiyang and Dongyong (Dongyin) were divided into a separate lianbao.

On September 10, 1937, Japan occupied Beigan and Nangan.

Beigan's vast resources of fish attracted many coastal Fujian residents to settle in the area to fish. In 1949, with the establishment of the People's Republic of China in Mainland China, Matsu was separated from the mainland and was subsequently incorporated under Lienchiang County by the Government of the Republic of China.

In the early 1950s, skirmishes between Nationalist and Communist forces occurred near Gaodeng Island.

On December 12, 1950, Beigan District was established as part of the Matsu Administrative Commission (馬祖行政公署). The county government and baojia system was ended. On August 15, 1953, Lienchiang County government was reestablished including Beigan Township.

On May 31, 1955, a Chinese Communist motor torpedo boat was engaged to the northeast of Beigan Island.

On May 17, 1959, Communist guns on the mainland coast fired 112 shells that landed on Beigan (Peikantang) Island according to the Nationalist Defense Ministry.{{cite journal |date=May 18, 1959 |title=Red Chinese Open Firing on Matsus |journal=The Washington Post and Times Herald |url=https://archive.org/details/per_washington-post_1959-05-18_164/ |volume=82 |issue=164 |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=2269358 |page=1}}

On October 25, 1967, Chinese Communist shelling at Tangqi Village lead to the death of one nineteen year-old, injury of six others and the destruction of three buildings.

On May 3, 1977, and May 2 and September 28, 1980, President Chiang Ching-kuo visited the township.

In 1994, the Beigan Airport was built on Beigan Island.

On June 17, 1994, and again on August 31, 1996, President Lee Teng-hui visited the township.

On August 10, 1997, Formosa Airlines Flight 7601 crashed on Beigan Island. All of the crew and passengers died.

On November 17, 2000, President Chen Shui-bian visited the township.

In 2011, prehistoric human skeletons were found on Liang Island.

On January 19, 2013, President Ma Ying-jeou visited the township.

In 2013, the movie 100 Days was filmed in Qinbi (Cinbi) Village.

In 2016, plans for constructing a heart-shaped stone structure at Beigan Island like the Double-Heart of Stacked Stones at Cimei were halted after residents raised environmental concerns.{{cite web |date=24 November 2016 |last=Yu |first=Chao-fu |author2=Jonathan Chin |title=Work on 'Blue Tide' heart-shaped structure stopped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123170726/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/11/24/2003659899 |archivedate=23 November 2016 |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/11/24/2003659899 |work=Taipei Times}}

Geography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Nationalist_China_-_administrative_divisons._LOC_2007633622.jpg" caption="The Matsu Islands (MA-TSU LIEH-TAO) including Beigan Island (Ch'ang-hsü Shan)
"The Nationalist-held islands off the Chinese mainland are nominally a part of Fukien Province, but are presently under military administration." (1962)"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Txu-oclc-10552568-ng50-8.jpg" caption="北竿塘}}) (1954)"] ::

Beigan Township is located approximately 110 nmi northwest of Taiwan Island. The township is located to the north of Nangan (Matsu Island) and is the second largest island in the Matsu Islands. At their closet points, Beigan Island and Nangan Island are within 3 km of each other. The population center of Beigan is Tangqi (Tan-chi) village and is the place where major shops and restaurant are located.

Beigan is a long and narrow island with tall mountains. Its highest peak is Bishan (Mount Bi) (), standing at 298 m above sea level, which is the highest point in the Matsu Islands. The terrain of the rest of the island rises and falls with large numbers of sandy beaches and outlying islands.

The main island of Beigan Township is Beigan Island, which is 6.43 km2 in area. Minor islands include Gaodeng Island (second largest), Daqiu Island (third largest), Liang Island (fourth largest) and Xiaoqiu Island (小坵) (fifth largest). The northernmost and easternmost points of Beigan Township are on Liang Island, the westernmost point is on Jinyu (進嶼), and the southernmost point is on Queshi (鵲石). Other islands include Wumingdao (無名島), Qiaotou (峭頭), Jinyu (進嶼), Langyan (浪岩) / Liang Reef (Liangjiao Reef; 亮礁), Sanlianyu (Trio Rocks; 三連嶼), Zhongdao (中島), Geli Dao (Clam Island; 蛤蜊島) which is now connected to southern Beigan Island by a causeway and Luoshan (螺山) and Bangshan (蚌山) which are near the northeastern coast of Beigan Island. There is a small island just a few meters off the beach of Qinbi (Chinbi) which is about 5m high called Turtle Island.

Politics and government

Administrative divisions

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Qinbi_Village_001,_Beigan,_Matsu,_Taiwan.JPG" caption="Qinbi (Chinbi) Village"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/北竿塘岐村_Tangqi_Village,_Beigan_20240912.jpg" caption="Tangqi Village,the most densely populated village on the island"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Beigan_Township_Office_2024-09-11.jpg" caption="Beigan Township Office"] ::

Since the restoration of the county government on August 15, 1953, Beigan Township has been divided into 6 villages:

  • Houwo/Hou'ao (Houwo; 后沃村, colloquial form of the earlier name 後澳/后澳), situated on a peninsula that has to be reached through a tunnel under the airport.
  • Qinbi (Chinpi /Chinbi / Cinbi) (芹壁村; Foochow Romanized: Kṳ̀ng-biék-chŏng), famous for its fantastic view of Turtle Island, Daqiu Island and Gaodeng Island. Qinbi is known as 'A Mediterranean town on the Taiwan Strait' (「馬祖地中海」).
  • Tangqi/Tangci (Tangchi; 塘岐村), the most densely populated village on the island.
  • Baisha (Paisha; 白沙村), near the port that the commercial boats park at.
  • Banli (Panli; 坂里村, historically 堘村), where the Beihai Tunnel of Beigan is situated.
  • Ciaozai / Qiaozi (Chiaozai, Chiaotzu; 橋仔村), located on the northeastern side of Beigan.

Mayors

Since 1951, Beigan Township has had seventeen mayors:

  • Appointed mayors
  1. Wang Shih-Fang (王詩芳) Jan 1951 – Dec 1953
  2. Lin Sheng-Yen (林聖炎) Dec 1953 – Sep 1954
  3. Lin Shou-Chi (林守基) Sep 1954 – Sep 1955
  4. Cheng Tseng-Yuan (鄭曾源) Sep 1955 – Sep 1956
  5. Yang I-Cheng (楊一誠) Sep 1956 – 5 Nov 1957
  6. Yang Tso-Yung (楊作永) 5 Nov 1957 – 1 Aug 1960
  7. Chen Shou-Wei (陳壽維) 1 Aug 1960 – 21 Feb 1962
  8. Yu Te-Chu (尤德渠) 21 Feb 1962 – 10 Mar 1962, also mayor of Nangan
  9. Pan Fu (潘輔) 10 Mar 1962 – 2 Jul 1962, former and later mayor of Nangan
  10. Chen I-Peng (陳一鵬) 2 Jul 1962 – 19 May 1970, later mayor of Juguang and then Nangan
  11. Li Kuei-Li (李貴立) 19 May 1970 – 1 Jan 1978, former mayor of Juguang
  • Elected mayors
  1. Wang Li-Teng (王禮登) 1 Jan 1978 -1 Mar 1982
  2. Huang Chi-Chung (黃啟忠) 1 Mar 1982 – 1 Mar 1990
  3. Wang Shih-Chien (王詩乾) 1 Mar 1990 – 1 Mar 1998
  4. Wang Chao-Sheng (王朝生) 1 Mar 1998 – 1 Mar 2006
  5. Chou Jui-Ko (周瑞國) 1 Mar 2006 – 24 Dec 2014 (KMT)
  6. Chen Ju-Lan (陳如嵐) 24 Dec 2014 – present (KMT), in 2014 ran against Wu Chin-Ping (吳金平), ran unopposed in 2018

Economy

There are branches of 7-Eleven at the villages of Tangqi and Banli and several other shops on the island. With the withdrawal of most of the military forces, the main source of income is now tourism, with several hotels in Tangqi, and numerous B&Bs in Qinbi and Qiaozi. There are no banks on the island of Beigan, but the Chunghwa Post office has an ATM.

Education

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Zhongshan_Junior_High_School_中山國中_-_panoramio.jpg" caption="Chung Shan Junior High School"] ::

There is one junior high school and one elementary school on Beigan Island.

In August 2018 (Republic of China calendar year 107), Banli Elementary School (坂里國小校) consolidated into Tang Chi Elementary, since the Banli campus became the National Taiwan Ocean University Matsu Campus (國立臺灣海洋大學馬祖校區).

(國立馬祖高級中學), operated by the national government, is located in Nangan.

The library of Beigan opens daily from Wednesday to Sundays with the exception of national holidays.

File:Ban Li Elementary School (4073394762).jpg|Ban Li Elementary School, which closed in 2018 and now houses National Taiwan Ocean University Matsu Campus

Medical Institutions

  • Beigang Health Bureau (衛生所)
  • North High Hospital (北高醫院)

Tourist attractions

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/北竿游客中心_-Beigan_Visitor_Center-2014.04-_panoramio.jpg" caption="Beigan Visitor Center"] ::

Transportation

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Beigan_Airport,_Matsu,_Taiwan.jpg" caption="[[Matsu Beigan Airport]]"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Matsu_Beigan_馬祖北竿_island_port_(4072590569).jpg" caption="Beigan Harbor"] ::

Air

The Beigan Airport links the Matsu Islands and Taiwan Island at Taipei Songshan Airport and Taichung Airport.

Sea

The township houses the Beigan Harbor. There are commercial boat rides from Nangan regularly every 10 to 15 minutes. Boats from the Port of Keelung on Taiwan Island regularly visit Nangan, and from Nangan one can take the ferry to Beigan.

Starting 23 December 2015, there will be direct ferry service between Beigan and Huangqi in Lianjiang County, Fuzhou, Fujian, Mainland China.

Road

Roads in Beigan are served by taxi or rented cars and buses. Scooters can also be rented from several places.

Gallery

File:Qinbi Village 芹壁村 - panoramio (4).jpg|Qinbi (Chinbi) Village and Turtle Island File:Formosan sika deer of Daqiu (Matsu National Scenic Area).jpg|Formosan sika deer on Daqiu Island (Matsu National Scenic Area) File:Banli Tianhou Temple 坂里天后宮 - panoramio.jpg|Banli Tianhou Temple File:Baisha Harbor 白沙港 - panoramio.jpg|Baisha Harbor

References

References

  1. link. zh-tw. 北竿鄉：545戶，2368人，較103年2268人增加94人；男性1314人，女性1048人。. (14 July 2016)
  2. link. zh-tw. 字詞 【馬祖島】{...}釋義 島名。位於福建省閩江口東北，屬連江縣。簡稱為「馬祖」。由南竿、北竿、大坵、高登、西引等十九個小島組成，總面積三十四平方公里，控福州對外交通的要衝，扼閩江出入的門戶。{...}
  3. [[:s:zh:大眾運輸工具播音語言平等保障法. 大眾運輸工具播音語言平等保障法]]
  4. DeWitt Copp. (1962). "The Odd Day". [[William Morrow and Company.
  5. (16 March 1955). "FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, 1955–1957, CHINA".
  6. (22 April 1955). "CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN". Office of Current Intelligence, [[CIA]].
  7. (2004). "Prostar Sailing Directions 2004 Korea & China Enroute".
  8. link. zh-tw. 北竿舊稱「北竿塘」、「長岐島」，高低起伏落差大，有塘岐、橋仔、芹壁、坂里、后澳和白沙六個村，是馬祖第二大島。{{Dead link. (May 2021)
  9. (September 2009). 上海辞书出版社. [[Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House]].
  10. (1843). "Sailing directions to accompany seven charts of the coast of China, between Amoy bay, and the Yángtsz' kiáng". [[The Chinese Repository]].
  11. (1954). "NG 50-8 FU-CHOU". [[Army Map Service]].
  12. link. Meng-hsing Ho 何孟興
  13. link. zh-tw. 民國十六年修的《連江縣志》描寫其地理位置：「南竿塘山，即上竿塘，北竿塘山即下竿塘，二山在定海外東南海中，遙遙並峙…」。
  14. link
  15. "Matsu-Lienchiang County Beigan Township Office".
  16. link
  17. link
  18. (February 2018). National Museum of Taiwan History. zh-hant. 1953 恢復縣制 連江縣
  19. link
  20. link
  21. link. (20 January 2013). 陳鵬雄
  22. Ho Yi. (14 November 2013). "Hollywood to Matsu".
  23. link
  24. (September 2022)
  25. (2010-01-16). "Beigan – Matsu National Scenic Area".
  26. Richard Saunders. (29 September 2017). "Off the Beaten Track:Beautiful Beigan".
  27. (20 January 2010). link. zh-tw. 壁山雖是馬祖「第一高峰」，但標高僅298公尺，
  28. link. (January 2010)
  29. link. zh-tw. 二、經緯度座標 （一）極東：亮島東岸，東經120度13分37秒。 （二）極西：進嶼西岸，東經119度56分08秒。 （三）極南：鵲石南岸，北緯26度10分02秒。 （四）極北：亮島北岸，北緯26度20分51秒。 三、面積 北竿鄉全境總面積9.3平方公里，佔全縣總面積29.60平方公里的31﹪，僅次於南竿鄉的35﹪，為全縣次大的鄉。其中北竿本島6.43平方公里，高登島1.39平方公里，大坵島0.53平方公里，亮島0.35平方公里，小坵0.16平方公里。
  30. link. Department of Land Administration]]. (16 May 2012). zh-tw. 地政事務所名稱(代碼) 連江(ZA) 鄉鎮市區名稱(代碼) 北竿鄉(02) 段 小段 代碼 備註{...}大坵 0020 無名島 0021 高登 0022 峭頭 0023 進嶼 0024 亮島 0035 調整 浪岩 0036 調整 三連嶼 0039 中島 0040 調整 白廟 0041 調整 老鼠 0042 調整
  31. {{cite map. (August 2007). [[Ministry of the Interior (Taiwan). Ministry of the Interior]], [[Lienchiang County Government]]. zh-tw. 亮礁 Liangjiao Reef
  32. link. (4 February 2019). zh-tw. 景點 目前統一英譯{...}北竿鄉 Beigan Township {{lang. zh-tw. 北竿 Beigan {{lang. zh-tw. 白沙村 Baisha Village{...}{{lang. zh-tw. 坂里村 Banli Village{...}{{lang. zh-tw. 芹壁聚落(芹壁村) Qinbi Village {{lang. zh-tw. 壁山 Bishan(Mt.Bi) {{lang. zh-tw. 壁山步道 Bishan(Mt.Bi) Trail {{lang. zh-tw. 龜島 Turtle Island{...}{{lang. zh-tw. 塘岐村 Tangqi Village{...}{{lang. zh-tw. 后澳村 Hou'ao Village{...}{{lang. zh-tw. 橋仔村 Qiaozi Village{...}
  33. link
  34. Robert Storey. (1998). "Taiwan".
  35. (20 January 2010). "Tanghoudao Beach".
  36. "Qinbi Village".
  37. "Living".
  38. 《八閩通志》明弘治三年（公元1490年）; 《福州府志》清乾隆十九年
  39. (19 September 2019). "The Bei Gan Bridge Ciaozai Village".
  40. link. zh-tw. 芳 名 任 期 芳 名 任 期 王詩芳 民國40年1月至42年12月 潘 輔 民國51年3月10日至51年7月2日 林聖炎 民國42年12月至43年9月 陳一鵬 民國51年7月2日至59年5月19日 林守基 民國43年9月至44年9月 李貴立 民國59年5月19日至67年1月1日 鄭曾源 民國44年9月至45年9月 王禮登 民國67年1月1日至71年3月1日 楊一誠 民國45年9月至46年11月5日 黃啟忠 民國71年3月1日至79年3月1日 楊作永 民國46年11月5日至49年8月1日 王詩乾 民國79年3月1日至87年3月1日 陳壽維 民國49年8月1日至51年2月21日 王朝生 民國87年3月1日至95年3月1日 尤德渠 民國51年2月21日至51年3月10日 周瑞國 民國95年3月1日至103年12月24日
  41. link. zh-tw. 副議長 周瑞國{...}黨籍 中國國民黨{...}5. 第八、九屆北竿鄉鄉長{...}
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  43. Yu Chao-fu. (24 November 2016). "Work on 'Blue Tide' heart-shaped structure stopped".
  44. link. 葉書宏. (25 November 2018). zh-tw. 另外，北竿鄉現任鄉長陳如嵐上屆和吳金平對決，但吳已無意參選鄉長，也是同額選舉。
  45. "Home". Lienchiang County Chung Shan Junior High School.
  46. "地理位置". Lienchiang County Beigan Township Tang Chi Elementary School.
  47. "坂里國小校史". Lienchiang County Beigan Township Tang Chi Elementary School.
  48. "Home". National Matsu Senior High School.
  49. link
  50. "Beigan Tour Map > Living | Welcome to Matsu".
  51. (21 December 2015). "Ferry service between Matsu, China's Fuzhou to open Dec. 23 – Focus Taiwan".
  52. (29 September 2017). "Off the Beaten Track:Beautiful Beigan".

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