Ba Jiang River Ferry Introduction
Construction of the Attraction: Established during the Kangxi period or even earlier, it is one of the main rivers in the Chianan Plain! Taiwan's rivers are short and swift, and travelers often need to cross by boat for relief. Bajhang Creek is an important water transportation route with many ferry crossings, the busiest and most important of which is beside the Mitou Temple. Legend has it that in the 54th year of Kangxi, the magistrate of Zhuola, Zhou Zhongxuan, called for donations to establish rafts for crossing at the ferry. Bajhang Creek (formerly known as Bajiang Creek) is one of the primary rivers of the Chianan Plain. In the early days, long bridges could not be built, so a ferry was established next to Mitou Temple for boats to cross the creek. The "Bajiang Creek Charity Crossing Monument," engraved in 1847, is still preserved today; this type of charity monument that matches its environment is extremely rare in Taiwan. Bajhang Creek is located south of the Puzi River and north of the Jishuei River, flowing through Fanlu Township, Zhongpu Township, Shuishang Township, Taibao City, Lucao Township, Yizhu Township, Budai Township, Chiayi City, and the Beimen District, Yanshui District, Xuejia District, Houbi District, and Baihe District of Tainan City, ultimately discharging into the Taiwan Strait at Haomei Village in Chiayi County. During flood periods, the creek's flow can reach about 1,800 cubic meters per second, but during dry periods, it drops to only 0.4 cubic meters per second, indicating a significant variation in water volume. In the summer and autumn during flooding, the creek swells, hindering transportation for residents living on both banks. They had to rely on bamboo rafts to cross the creek. At that time, residents established five ferry crossings along Bajhang Creek for bamboo rafts to dock and for residents to embark and disembark. The establishment of these charity crossings had significant importance for the early transportation routes in Taiwan and urban development. The Bajiang Creek Charity Crossing greatly benefited merchants and trades traveling to and from Chiayi City as well as the economic prosperity of the Chiayi region, with the remaining charity monument serving as a testament to history.
