Hi Im Savanna! Welcome back to our monthly series of This is Taiwan!
How often do you travel around Taiwan? I bet you find a lot of place names quite difficult to understand. In Taiwan, places are named in several different names! So today we are getting to discover the meaning behind some of the most interesting named places in northern Taiwan. I am also going to share some traveling information around these areas! Let’s get started!
First off, let’s start with 九份, one of the must-go sights in northern Taiwan. 九份 is famous for the old streets, 九份老街. The architectures are mostly from the Japanese-Occupied Period. Tea houses are everywhere in the 九份 old street area, the view of the teahouses and trails are very much like the ones in the movie “Spirited Away”. It is said that the author Miyazaki actually drew the scenes according to 九份. It gets even more beautiful at night, when the lanterns are lit. You can also find plenty of traditional Taiwanese snacks and cuisines in 九份, one of the most famous food is taro balls. It is a must try in 九份!
So how exactly did 九份 get its name? If translated directly, it would be “nine portion” like nine portion of something. But of what?
九份 was prosperous during the early 1900s because of the gold mine discovered. But way before that, camphor trees were grown there, and refining camphor was the main business in the area. There were 90 furnaces for refining the camphor, and back then every ten furnaces were counted as one share. So 九份 got its name because of it having 9 shares.
Next, let’s have a look 北投. You’ve probably heard of this name if you ever taken the MRT in Taipei. Located in the north of Taipei city, 北投 is a popular destination for hot spring lovers. The hot springs in 北投 contains sulfur, which has a strong smell, and has benefits such as treating skin irritations and infections.
The character 北 means “north”, while 投 means “to throw”, but the origin of its name has nothing to do with these meanings. Actually, 北投 came from the language of the Plains indigenous peoples that lived in the area. The people name the place “Kipatauw”, which means witch. There’s a saying that the people thought the constant heat that came from the ground was because of witchcraft.
Before the Japanese came to Taiwan, the sulfur here was mined to trade. It was the Japanese who brought the onsen culture to Taiwan, which made hot spring a thing in 北投.
北投 is conveniently located in Taipei, where you can reach taking the MRT. Other than enjoying the hot spring, you should also visit the 北投Hot Spring Museum. It’s an historic building build in 1913 that used to be a hot spring bathhouse. The main features are the Roman styled baths, and sophisticated decorated glass windows.
Last but not least, let’s head to the most northern part of Taiwan: 富貴角. It’s the most northern tip of the island. There is the 富貴角 lighthouse which was originally built by the Japanese in 1896, and got partially destroyed in WW2. It was then rebuilt in 1962.
Standing in front of the lighthouse, you could enjoy the breathtaking view of the sea as well as the cool looking rocks along the coast.
So how did 富貴角 got its name? 富貴 is translated into rich or wealth in mandarin, while 角 is corner or edge. However 富貴角 got its name from the Dutch in the 18thc. They called the place “Hoek”, which means angle or corner. So the name “Hoek” passed on and became 富貴.
There are plenty of seafood restaurants near 富貴角, around 富基 Harbor, which got its name just like 富貴角. Many people would come to the harbor to but fresh seafood, too. it’s also pretty interesting to look at all the different and sometimes weird looking fish and squids.
Voila! That was a short introduction of three places to visit in northern Taiwan! It is always fun to know more about the background of the names as well!
“Must-Gos in Taiwan, Place Named Explained” will continue on the This is Taiwan series! You are welcome to comment or pm us to ask about the names of places that you find interesting or confusing!
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