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Toucheng Township
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Touwei
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97.6409 km²
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28,706
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24 villages, 262 neighborhoods
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Located at 121.51E, 21.41 N, Toucheng is nestled in the mountains and opens to the Pacific Ocean in the east. It neighbors Taipei County's Gongliao, Shuangxi and Pinglin Townships by the Xue (Snow) Mountain in the northwest and connects to Zhuangwei and Jiaoxi Townships in the south.
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Situated at the northern end of Yilan County opening up in the east to the Pacific Ocean, neighboring other counties and towering mountains in the west, Toucheng Township has always been an important entrance to Yilan.
Toucheng's unique topography also contributes to its special sights. Its north coastline features spectacular sea eroded rock formations. Turtle Island, rich undersea springs, sea eroded caves and pebbled beaches are the result of the volcanic movements within this area.
The intersection with Jiaoxi, including the marsh area near the Zhu'an river mouth and the Xiapu wetlands features special wetland crab species and migrant birds drawn here to the wetland. This has contributed to the development of the aquaculture industry within the Xiapu area.
Toucheng, in addition to its traditional fishing industry related to its unique terrain, the township government takes advantage of its fishing harbors to promote off shore eco-tour including the whale watch in Turtle Island. Newly established B&B and leisure farms also join in this tourism trend, creating new business opportunities for the local residents.
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Toucheng was originally named "Touwei". In 1796, Wu Sha led a group of people from Zhangzhou and Fujian Province ,China to enter and start clearing land for development within Yilan. When they successfully entered the Lanyang Plain, they built soil walls and established their first base in Touwei. This was the first piece of land explored by the Han people, and that was how the name Toucheng (the first town) was given.
In 1796, when the Han settlers came in groups, they built Qingyuan Temple, the first temple in the Yilan area, by the riverbank. Touwei Street became prosperous because of the booming water shipping business. At that time, Wushi Harbor was Yilan's trading harbor with the outside world. The river came directly to Qingyuan Temple, and streets were developed along the riverbanks. On the north end of Heping old street, one can still see the traces of the Qing dynasty harbor and the 13 associated businesses that once ran a thriving business there. On the south end, Qing and Japanese colonial period architecture can still be found.
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