Xingang, Chiayi

　　    The ruins of the ancient Bungan Port propelled the wheels of history as time passed. With their surging love for their hometown, the people of Xingang transformed it into a cultural magnet, breathing new life into the legends of an old town's revival.

　　    Located in the northwest of Chiayi County, Xingang Township is a classic example of an early Taiwanese rural settlement. Its residents are mostly descendants of immigrants from the ancient Bungan Port, known as Taiwan’s first village, dating back over 200 years. The renowned Fengtian Temple is not only a local spiritual hub but also a commercial center that has driven Xingang’s prosperity. The people of Xingang have successfully reshaped their hometown, setting a new model for rural vitality and writing a legend of rebirth for this old town in southern Taiwan.

　　    The area where Xingang now stands was originally called Matuanliao, a small village located three kilometers from the ancient Bungan Port. Due to floods and course changes of the Beigang River, the ancient Bungan Port was divided into Bunan Port and Bunan Port. Years of continuous flooding made Bunan Port uninhabitable, prompting residents to relocate en masse to Matuanliao, thus giving birth to the “new town.”

　　    To revive the cultural essence of Xingang, traditional folk groups such as the Songjiang Formation, Xinyuan Society, Nian’ge Society, Fengyi Traditional Music Society, and the century-old Wufengxuan Northern Opera Troupe have sprung up like mushrooms after rain. Together with a rich array of religious activities, they have turned the region into a dazzling hub of art and culture in southern Taiwan.