Feng-yüan

Feng-yüan, Pinyin Fengyuan, former municipality (shih, or shi), T’ai-chung (Taijong) special municipality, west-central Taiwan. Until 2010 it was the seat of T’ai-chung county, but, when the county was amalgamated administratively with T’ai-chung municipality to form the special municipality, Feng-yüan became a city district in the new entity.

Feng-yüan is situated about 7 miles (11 km) north of central T’ai-chung, in the western uplands. It was developed during the reign of the Qianlong (Ch’ien-lung) emperor (reigned 1735–99) of the Qing (Ch’ing or Manchu) dynasty and was originally known as Hulutun. It grew as the marketing centre for rice, sugar, bananas, and tobacco produced in the nearby fertile plains of the Ta-chia (Dajia) River.

Sawmilling and rice milling, pineapple and other food canning, hemp processing, and sack making are the major industries. Feng-yüan is noted for its high-grade rice and tobacco production. It is an important junction on Taiwan’s West Line railway and is also served by a north-south freeway. P’i-lu (Pilu) Temple is about 3 miles (5 km) northeast of Feng-yüan. Pop. (2015 est.) 166,749.