Nanzao Fishing Port

　　Nanzao Fishing Port is situated in the northwest suburbs of Hsinchu, not far from downtown Hsinchu, which makes it very accessible. The port was completed and put into use in 1949. After expansion, it became one of the top fishing ports in terms of the number of fishing boats, their tonnage, and catch volume in the Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli regions. The old Nanzao Harbor and its surrounding settlements are among the earliest developed areas in Hsinchu City, bearing witness to the city’s historical development and holding significant cultural and historical value. Nanzao Fishing Port also marks the endpoint of the north-south fishing boat return route and was once a hub for fish cargo and fishing vessels from various places, thus earning a place among the Twelve Scenic Spots of Hsinchu and the poetic nickname “Nanzao Returning Sails.” Although the number of fishing boats here is not large today, at its peak, the port gathered lantern fishing boats from all over the province that came to catch squid. At its busiest, there were even over 200 large bottom trawling fishing boats. By 1980 (the 69th year of the Republic of China), due to factors such as silt accumulation at the river mouth that could not be overcome, a new Hsinchu Fishing Port was built about 2 kilometers south of the Touqian River estuary. Since then, Nanzao Fishing Port gradually faded from public memory. Later, in 2000, based on the need to preserve cultural landscapes and promote regional industrial development, urban planning changes were made to ensure the preservation of the old Nanzao Harbor. Together with the new harbor, a regeneration development plan for the Nanzao dual-harbor area was launched, transforming Nanzao Fishing Port into an excellent leisure destination for the public during holidays and developing it into a tourism landmark of Hsinchu.