Dapu, Chiayi

Dapu Township 大埔鄉
Rural township
Zengwen Reservoir
Dapu Township in Chiayi County
Dapu Township 大埔鄉
Coordinates: 23°17′40.4″N 120°35′37.4″E
Location	Chiayi County, Taiwan
Area
• Total	173 km^2 (67 sq mi)
Population  (May 2022)
• Total	4,504

Dapu Township (Chinese: 大埔鄉; pinyin: Dàpǔ Xiāng) is a rural township in Chiayi County, Taiwan. Part of the Siraya National Scenic Area, Dapu gets a major portion of its revenue from tourism. Among the birds that can be seen in the area is the fairy pitta.

History

Map of Dapu (labeled as TAIHO-SHŌ 大埔庄) and surrounding areas (1944)

Human activity is believed to have existed in Dapu since prehistoric times. Artifacts have been found in archaeological sites nearby.^[1]

The Dutch East India Company started its colonization of Taiwan in 1624. When it established its presence in what is now Chiayi County in 1636, Dapu was a Tsou territory with no recorded Han Chinese activity. According to a 1647 census conducted by the Dutch, Kanakannavo, the tribe that resided in Dapu, contained 37 households (157 residents).^[2]

Geography

The township has an area of 173.2472 km² with a population of 4,504 people as of May 2022.

Administrative divisions

Administrative divisions of Dapu Township

The township comprises five villages: Dapu, Heping, Jiadong, Xixing and Yongle.

Economy

A total of 5.2% of its land is used for agriculture.

Tourist attractions

• Siraya National Scenic Area
• Zengwen Reservoir

Transportation

The township is served by three access roads, which lead northwards towards Fanlu and Zhongpu Townships and southwards towards Nansi District in Tainan.^[3]

References

1. 《嘉義縣志》〈沿革志〉. Page 23.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
2. 《嘉義縣志》〈沿革志〉. Pages 89-90.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
3. "Welcome to Chiayi County Government-Dapu Township-About the Township". Archived from the original on 2015-07-12. Retrieved 2015-07-11.