Pingtung City Introduction
Pingtung City is the capital of Pingtung County, formerly known as "A-Kou," and was originally the site of the Pingpu people's A-Kou tribe. Han people established villages here during the Qing Dynasty, and by the Qianlong period, a marketplace called "A-Kou Street" had appeared. During the Japanese colonial period, due to the inauspicious connotations of "A-Kou," it was renamed "A-Kou Hall"; until 1920, when local governance in Taiwan was restructured, the Japanese renamed it "Pingtung" as it was located to the east of Banping Mountain. In 1933, it was upgraded to Pingtung City. In 1950, administrative divisions were adjusted, and Pingtung City changed from a provincial city to a county-controlled city. Situated in the northwestern part of Pingtung County, Pingtung City is bordered to the north by Jiu-Ru Township, to the east by Changzhi Township and Linluo Township, to the west by Gaoping River adjacent to Daliao District and Dashu District in Kaohsiung City, and to the south by Wandan Township. It is part of the Pingtung Plain, characterized by flat terrain and rich resources, with a tropical monsoon climate and an average annual temperature of about 24°C, making it warm, comfortable, and quite pleasant. Pingtung City is a place that allows relaxation and a happy lifestyle; it features babbling streams and historical monuments alongside military dependents' village architecture, blending together to create a unique urban character, warmly welcoming everyone like sunshine! Recommended one-day itinerary in Pingtung City: 1. Wannian Creek → Yuhuang Temple → Millennium Park → Hsiao Family Ancient House → Pingtung Art Museum → Ethnic Music Hall → General's House → Dependents' Coffee Street 2. Cifeng Temple → Zhongshan Park → Chaoyang Gate → Tourism Literature Museum → Pingtung Academy → Local Art Museum → Wannian Creek → Wannian Park → Pingtung Night Market Extended travel options: 1. Proceeding along Dalian Road (Taiwan Route 24) leads to Sandimen Township, where you can admire indigenous handicrafts and culture. 2. Continuing along Hesheng Road (Taiwan Route 1) takes you to Neipu Township to visit the Liudui Hakka Cultural Park and the old Hakka streets. 3. Following Fuxing Road (Taiwan Route 27) leads to Donggang Township, where you can taste fresh seafood and take a boat to Xiao Liuqiu. 4. Taking the train south from Pingtung Train Station to Zhuqiang Station lets you experience a nostalgic atmosphere and see the architectural features of the Hakka Cultural Museum. 5. Taking the train south from Pingtung Train Station to Chaozhou Station, or traveling along Taiwan Route 1 to Chaozhou, allows you to explore the hometown of traditional opera and visit the Ba Da Forest Theme Park.
