Pan-ch’iao

Pan-ch’iao, Pinyin Banqiao, Pan-ch’iao also spelled Pan Kiao, city district (ch’ü, or qu), New Taipei City special municipality, northern Taiwan. Until late 2010 it was the seat of T’ai-pei county, but when the county was reorganized administratively, it became a city district of the new special municipality, the county’s successor.

Pan-ch’iao is situated in the northern part of Taiwan’s western coastal plain on the eastern bank of Tan-shui (Danshui, or Tamsui) River, about 4 miles (7 km) southwest of Taipei special municipality. It flourished in the early 18th century and became the centre of an agricultural region producing tea, rice, sweet potatoes, and citrus fruits. Pan-ch’iao is on the West Line branch of the Taiwan Railway. Its chief industries are textile production and food canning; coal is mined and clay is extracted nearby. The oriental garden of the Lin-pen Yüan (Linben Yuan) family and T’zu (Ci) Lake (Lake Mercy), about 13 miles (21 km) southwest of Pan-ch’iao, are tourist attractions. Pop. (2015 est.) 554,236.