Banqiao District
Encyclopedia
Banqiao District is the city seat of New Taipei in northern Taiwan
(Republic of China
). It has the third highest population density
in Taiwan. It was formerly the 22nd densest city in the world, with over 24,000 people per square km. Until the December 25, 2010 creation of New Taipei, Banqiao was itself a city (Bǎnqiáo Shì; Pang-kiô Chhī; Postal map spelling: Panchiao) and the former seat of Taipei County
.
of northern Taiwan, in the subtropical climate zone.
Banqiao is surrounded by Taipei
to the east, Sanchong to the north, Xinzhuang to the northwest, Shulin to the southwest, Tucheng to the south, and Zhonghe to the southeast. Banqiao is also bordered by two rivers, Xindian River
(新店溪) to the northeast and Dahan River (大漢溪) to the northwest.
during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor
(1735 - 1796 AD). A wooden bridge was built for pedestrians to cross a brook located in the west of today's Banqiao. In 1920, the Japanese government
modified the name , which is read "Itahashi" in Japanese. The same name is still used today, but is called "Banqiao" in Mandarin Chinese. However, in Taiwanese Hokkien, the old name "Pang-kiô" is still the norm.
. The National Banqiao High School is considered one of the top high schools in the Taipei County.
(林本源園邸) is one of the best examples of Qing
era Chinese architecture in Taiwan. It was originally built in the late 1800s.
and nearby cities. Five metro stations are located in Banqiao: four along the Banqiao Line
and one on the Tucheng Line
. High-speed rail
bullet trains and conventional rail TRA
trains are served by Banqiao Station
. All rails through Banqiao have been located underground since 1997. The future Metro Circular Line
will also run through the district.
By road, the district is served by Provincial Highway No. 3
and Provincial Highway No. 64
.
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
(Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
). It has the third highest population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
in Taiwan. It was formerly the 22nd densest city in the world, with over 24,000 people per square km. Until the December 25, 2010 creation of New Taipei, Banqiao was itself a city (Bǎnqiáo Shì; Pang-kiô Chhī; Postal map spelling: Panchiao) and the former seat of Taipei County
Taipei County
New Taipei City is the most populous city of Taiwan. The area includes a substantial stretch of Taiwan's northern coastline and surrounds the Taipei Basin...
.
Geography
Banqiao is located in western part of the Taipei BasinTaipei Basin
Taipei Basin is a geographic region in northern Taiwan. It is the second largest basin in Taiwan. The basin is bounded by Yangmingshan to the north, Linkou mesa to the west, and the Ridge of Xueshan Range to the southeast. The shape of the basin is close to a triangle...
of northern Taiwan, in the subtropical climate zone.
Banqiao is surrounded by Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
to the east, Sanchong to the north, Xinzhuang to the northwest, Shulin to the southwest, Tucheng to the south, and Zhonghe to the southeast. Banqiao is also bordered by two rivers, Xindian River
Xindian River
The Xindian River is a river in northern Taiwan. It flows through New Taipei and the capital Taipei for 82 km. The Feitsui Dam spans the river southeast of Taipei.-Overview:...
(新店溪) to the northeast and Dahan River (大漢溪) to the northwest.
Name origin
The city's old name was "Pang-kio" , which dates back to the Qing DynastyQing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor
Qianlong Emperor
The Qianlong Emperor was the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 11 October 1735 to 8 February 1796...
(1735 - 1796 AD). A wooden bridge was built for pedestrians to cross a brook located in the west of today's Banqiao. In 1920, the Japanese government
Taiwan under Japanese rule
Between 1895 and 1945, Taiwan was a dependency of the Empire of Japan. The expansion into Taiwan was a part of Imperial Japan's general policy of southward expansion during the late 19th century....
modified the name , which is read "Itahashi" in Japanese. The same name is still used today, but is called "Banqiao" in Mandarin Chinese. However, in Taiwanese Hokkien, the old name "Pang-kiô" is still the norm.
Education
Banqiao is home to several universities, including the National Taiwan University of ArtsNational Taiwan University of Arts
National Taiwan University of Arts , established in 1955, is the oldest art university residing in Banqiao District, New Taipei, Republic of China .-External links:* *...
. The National Banqiao High School is considered one of the top high schools in the Taipei County.
Colleges
- National Taiwan University of ArtsNational Taiwan University of ArtsNational Taiwan University of Arts , established in 1955, is the oldest art university residing in Banqiao District, New Taipei, Republic of China .-External links:* *...
(國立臺灣藝術大學) - Oriental Institute of Technology (亞東技術學院)
- Chihlee Institute of TechnologyChihlee Institute of TechnologyThe Chihlee Institute of Technology , is a private institution of higher learning in northern Taiwan. The main campus is in Banqiao District, New Taipei City...
(致理技術學院)
High schools
- National Banqiao High School (國立板橋高級中學)
- National Haishan High School (國立海山高級中學)
- National Overseas Chinese High School(國立華僑高級中學)
- Kuang Jen Catholic High School (天主教光仁高級中學)
Tourism
The Lin Family Mansion and GardenLin Family Mansion and Garden
The Lin Ben Yuan Family Mansion and Garden is located in Banqiao District, New Taipei City, was a residence built by the Lin Ben Yuan Family, of Banqiao, Taiwan, and is currently Taiwan's most-complete surviving example of traditional Chinese garden architecture. Also known as the Lin Family Gardens...
(林本源園邸) is one of the best examples of Qing
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
era Chinese architecture in Taiwan. It was originally built in the late 1800s.
Sports facilities
Due to its position as the government seat of New Taipei, Banqiao has several sports facilities (including Banqiao Stadium), and the annual New Taipei City sports game is hosted in the city. However, Banqiao lacks major baseball facilities, forcing its baseball fans to go to Taipei City or Xinzhuang District to watch baseball games.Transportation
Banqiao is well served by multiple public transportation services. Bus lines connect Banqiao with downtown TaipeiTaipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
and nearby cities. Five metro stations are located in Banqiao: four along the Banqiao Line
Banqiao Line (TRTS)
The Taipei Metro Banqiao Line is a high-capacity underground line and is a major transportation route between Taipei and New Taipei. It runs from Ximen in western Taipei to Fuzhong in eastern Taipei, consisting of 6 stations and 7.2 km of track...
and one on the Tucheng Line
Tucheng Line (TRTS)
The Taipei Metro Tucheng Line is a high-capacity underground extension of the Banqiao and Nangang Lines . The line is 7.5 km long and consists of 5 stations with an extension under construction to Dingpu.-History:...
. High-speed rail
Taiwan High Speed Rail
Taiwan High Speed Rail is a high-speed rail line that runs approximately along the west coast of the Republic of China from the national capital of Taipei to the southern city of Kaohsiung...
bullet trains and conventional rail TRA
Taiwan Railway Administration
The Taiwan Railway Administration is an agency of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China responsible for managing, maintaining, and running passenger and freight service on 1097 km of conventional railroad lines in Taiwan...
trains are served by Banqiao Station
Banqiao Station
Banqiao Station or Banciao Station is a train station located in Banqiao District, New Taipei, Taiwan. The station serves high-speed rail, conventional rail, and metro trains...
. All rails through Banqiao have been located underground since 1997. The future Metro Circular Line
Circular Line (TRTS)
The Taipei Metro Circular Line is an elevated, medium-capacity rapid transit in Taipei and New Taipei, Taiwan. It is currently under construction with the first section scheduled to open in 2015...
will also run through the district.
By road, the district is served by Provincial Highway No. 3
Provincial Highway No. 3 (Taiwan)
Provincial Highway No. 3 is a 438.7 km-long provincial Taiwanese highway that starts in Taipei and ends in Pingtung. Also known as Inner-Mountain Highway , the road travels through the mountain towns in Western Taiwan and was the major route for the area until NH 3 was built.-Spur...
and Provincial Highway No. 64
Provincial Highway No. 64 (Taiwan)
Provincial Highway No. 64 is an expressway, which begins in the Port of Taipei in Bali and ends in front of Xiulang Bridge in Zhonghe.-Districts of New Taipei City Along the Route:*Bali*Wugu*Sanchong*Banqiao*Yonghe*Zhonghe*Xindian...
.
Notable residents
- Scott Chang - CEO of Lastertech
- Hsiao Chung-cheng, M.D. - Superintendent of Hsiao Chung-cheng Hospital 蕭中正醫院
- The members of Lin family from BanqiaoLin family from BanciaoThe Lin Ben Yuan, also known as the Banqiao Lin Family , are a Taiwanese family of businesspeople, politicians, and scholars. They rose from the era of Qing Dynasty, and are still active in present Taiwan. In June 2008, the Forbes ranked Lin Ming-cheng as the 20th richest in Taiwan...
(板橋林家).