Yanping Old Street (aka Xiluo Old Street) is a well-preserved historical part of Xiluo Township of Yunlin County dating back to the Kingdom of Tungning, the Qing Dynasty, and the Japanese era of Taiwan. Here you can find historical landmarks as well as good food and cultural attractions. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Yunlin.
Historical Background: Before Han Chinese settlement, Xiluo was inhabited by native Taiwanese plains tribal peoples. During the Dutch colonial period, Han Chinese settlers began to migrate and cultivate the land, gradually increasing in number. During the Kingdom of Tungning after Koxinga's conquest of Taiwan from the Dutch, an even larger number of Chinese farmers began to settle here due to the fertile land and mild climate. At the time it was situated in the middle of two other settlements: Lukang and Beigang, making it an important transportation hub from northern to southern Taiwan. There also was a ferry along the Zhuoshui River, further connecting the town to the rest of the world. The Zhuoshui River also made irrigation easy, and the area is often known as the granary of Taiwan. The original name for Xiluo was Luoyang (螺陽), named by early settlers to commemorate their hometown Luoyang Town in Huian County, Quanzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province. Yanping Old Street is also named after Prince Yanping (延平王) which was the honorific name of Koxinga, the ruler of the founders of the town. After the completion of the Xiluo Great Bridge in 1952, the town continued as a transportation hub linking north and south Taiwan. However after the completion of National Freeway 1 in 1978, the bulk of traffic moved onto the new highway and Xiluo turned into a rural backwater, with most of its economy based on agriculture. Currently, the population of the town is about 44,000 and is falling every year. Although usually not especially busy, the old street usually has tourists and shoppers and is full of interesting historical buildings. Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go south to the Xiluo Great Bridge until you reach Xiluo Town. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Xiluo Exit and keep going until you reach Xiluo Town. There is free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 88 for about 30 minutes to Xiluo Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: Our Journey: I have been to Xiluo many times while travelling Taiwan, but I have only driven into town once. I was very impressed with the historical preservation of the area. Also, the town seems pretty vibrant and lively. It is not super touristy, but tourists won't be disappointed in shopping options either. I recommend stopping here if you are interested in learning more about Taiwan's history in a fun way.
Check out our drone video of the area above.
You should check out Zhenwen Academy which is right next to the old street in Xiluo.
Zhenwen Academy (aka Jhen Wen Academy or Chenwen Academy) is a Qing Dynasty Civil Servant Academy in Xiluo Township of Yunlin dating back to the 1700s, and the only such Academy in Yunlin County that has survived to the current day. It now sits as a cultural and historical landmark, alongside with Nantian Academy-Yide Branch. It is important to the local people as a religious and scholarly site, especially for local students. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Yunlin...(read more) Xiluo Bridge 西螺大橋 
Also you check out Xiluo Great Bridge on the north side of Xiluo Town.
Xiluo Bridge (aka Xiluo Great Bridge) was once the second-longest bridge in the world and connects Yunlin County to Changhua County across the Zhuoshui River. Here you can also find a large public square and grassy park which is free for everyone to enjoy. It is one of Taiwan's historical landmarks that you should not miss...(read more) 
As I was driving I happened to notice this new house that is styled in a Taiwan old street Japanese era Baroque way.
Right on the old street, I saw this big Rechao Restaurant and someone cooking up Stinky Tofu.
An old style three-sided mansion on the old street.
Baroque style façade on some buildings, classic Taiwan old street style.
An old house here was torn down but still had two walls remaining.
Another old structure.
View of Guangfu Temple which worships Mazu right off the old street.
View of the main old street.
Most of the buildings here keep the old street style and most are not new.
View from the other side of the old street.
View looking further down the street.
Another view of the Yongxing Temple in Xiluo.
Another view looking down the street.
The old market building.
This fruit and vegetable market is really the heart of the old street. Stop and shop here if you have time.
Another view of the old street.
This row of buildings covered in lanterns is really the festive heart of the old street.
More old buildings which are really well preserved.
Traditional Taiwanese jelly snack shop.
More old buildings and traditional shops.
New, old, and also old.
Xiluo Mochi Stand.
Don't forget there are many other activities and places to see in Yunlin such as Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing, Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. You can check out our full guide to Yunlin here. You can also see our full guide to Taiwan here.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Categories
|
RSS Feed
