Ba Jiang Creek Ferry Introduction
The construction of the attraction began during the Kangxi era, or possibly even earlier, as one of the main rivers in the Chianan Plain! Taiwan's rivers are generally short and swift, often requiring boats for transportation and relief. The Bazhang River is an important transportation route, with many ferry points. Among them, the busiest and most important ferry is next to the Mitou Temple. It is said that in the 54th year of Kangxi, the local magistrate of Zhu Luo, Zhou Zhongxuan, called for donations to build rafts at the ferry to assist people in crossing. The Bazhang River (formerly known as Bazhang Creek) is one of the main rivers in the Chianan Plain. In the early days, long bridges could not be constructed, so a ferry was established beside the Mitou Temple to allow boats and rafts to cross the river. Today, the "Bazhang Creek Yidu Stele," carved in 1847, is still preserved. Such a matching stele to the environment is extremely rare in Taiwan. The Bazhang River is located south of the Puzi River and north of the Jushi River, flowing through Banlu Township, Zhongpu Township, Shuishang Township, Taibao City, Lucao Township, Yizhu Township, Budai Township in Chiayi County, as well as the Beimen District, Yanshui District, Xuejia District, Houbi District, and Baihe District in Tainan City, eventually flowing out to sea at Haomei Village in Chiayi County, into the Taiwan Strait. During flood periods, the flow of the Bazhang River can reach about 1,800 cubic meters per second, but during dry periods, it can drop to only 0.4 cubic meters per second, indicating a significant variation in water volume. During the floods in summer and autumn, the river swells, obstructing the transportation for residents living on both banks. The residents had to rely on bamboo rafts to cross the river and travel between the banks. At that time, five ferry points were established along the Bazhang River to accommodate bamboo rafts and allow residents to board and disembark. The establishment of the ferry played a significant role in the early selection of transportation routes and urban development in Taiwan. The Yidu ferry on Bazhang Creek greatly benefited merchants and travelers between Chiayi City, trade transportation, and even the economic prosperity of the Chiayi area, with the surviving stele serving as a testament to history.
