Banqiao District (Chinese: 板橋區; pinyin: Bǎnqiáo Qū) Banciao, Panchiao or Pan-ch'iao is a district and the seat of New Taipei City, Taiwan. It has the third-highest population density in Taiwan, with over 24,000/km2 (62,000/sq mi). Until the creation of New Taipei City, Banqiao was an incorporated county-administered city and the former seat of Taipei County.
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Name origin
The district's old name was Pang-kio (Chinese: 枋橋; pinyin: Fāngqiáo; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Pang-kiô; lit. 'timbered bridge'), which dates back to the Qing Dynasty during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1735–1796 AD); thus derived Hokkien-based spellings Pankyu, Pankio, and Pankyo were common in English before 1945. A wooden bridge, locally called Pang-kiô-thâu (枋橋頭), was built for pedestrians to cross a brook located in the west of today's Banqiao, the modern day Nanzih Creek (湳仔溝).
In 1920, the Japanese government modified the name to Itahashi (板橋; "planked bridge"). The same characters are still used today, but are read Bǎnqiáo in Mandarin. However, in Taiwanese Hokkien, the old name Pang-kiô is still the norm.
History
In the early 20th century, Pankyo (Pankyu) was a walled city and said to be owned by a landlord who had lived there "in feudal style", surrounded by armed retainers.
From 1920 to 1945, during Japanese rule, the area was administrated as Itahashi Town (板橋街), Kaizan District, Taihoku Prefecture.
Banqiao was upgraded from an urban township to a county-administered city as Pan-ch'iao or Banciao City of Taipei County on 1 July 1972. The city became Banqiao District on 25 December 2010.
Geography
Banqiao is located in the western part of the Taipei Basin of northern Taiwan, in the subtropical climate zone. Banqiao is surrounded by Taipei to the east, Sanchong to the north, Xinzhuang to the northwest, Shulin to the southwest, Tucheng to the south, and Zhonghe to the southeast. Banqiao is also bordered by two rivers: Xindian River to the northeast and Dahan River to the northwest.
Economy
Agriculture sector thrived in Banqiao in the 1950s. In the 1960s, manufacturing sector started to appear in the region and in the 1970s industries and commerce developed. In the 1980s and '90s, finance and commerce grew in the area.
Education
Banqiao is home to several universities, including the National Taiwan University of Arts. The National Banqiao High School is considered one of the top high schools in New Taipei City.
Universities and colleges
National Taiwan University of Arts
Chihlee University of Technology
Oriental Institute of Technology
High schools
Banqiao Senior High School
New Taipei Municipal Haishan High School (新北市立海山高級中學)
National Overseas Chinese High School (國立華僑高級中學)
Kuang Jen Catholic High School (天主教光仁高級中學)
Tourist attractions
Banqiao 435 Art Zone
Banqiao Agricultural Park
Banqiao Stadium
Cihui Temple
Jieyun Temple
Lin Family Mansion and Garden
Nanya Night Market
New Taipei City Main Public Library
Paleo Wonders Mineral Fossil Museum
Xinhai Constructed Wetland
Stone Sculpture Park
Sports facilities
Banqiao has several sports facilities including Banqiao Stadium. The annual New Taipei City sports game is hosted in the district.
Transportation
Banqiao is well served by multiple public transportation services. Banqiao station is served by THSR bullet trains, conventional rail Taiwan Railway trains, and the Taipei Metro.
Since the beginning of 2020, the Circular line of the Taipei Metro also runs through the district. The Taipei Metro serves the district via the following stations:
Far Eastern Hospital metro station
Fuzhong metro station
Xinpu metro station
Jiangzicui metro station
Banxin metro station
Xinpu Minsheng metro station
Banqiao station
Bus lines connect Banqiao with downtown Taipei and nearby districts.
Provincial Highway 3 and Provincial Highway 64 run through the district.
Infrastructure
Far Eastern Memorial Hospital
Sister cities
Addison, Texas, United States
Cerritos, California, United States
Notable residents
Scott Chang - CEO of Lastertech
Hsiao Chung-cheng, M.D. - Superintendent of Hsiao Chung-Cheng Hospital
The Lin Ben Yuan Family
Notable natives
Hsiao Huang-chi, singer, songwriter and judoka
Ili, artist
Lin Fong-cheng, Minister of Transportation and Communication (1998-2000)
Lin Hsiung-cheng, banker and philanthropist
Liu Ping-wei, member of Legislative Yuan (1999–2002)
Yang Ya-che, film and television director