Yingge, Taipei

Yingge (traditional Chinese: 鶯歌鎮; pinyin: Yingge Zhèn; Wade-Giles: Ying-ko-chen; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Eng-ko-tìn; literally "oriole song township") is an urban township located on the Dahan River in southwestern Taipei County in northern Taiwan (ROC)^[1] It is famous for the production of porcelain and an abundance of art studios and shops.

In 2009 the entire county is due to become a city in its own right: a special municipality called New Taipei. ^[2]

Geography

• Area: 21.12 km²
• Population: 84,036 people (as of 2005^[update])

Stores along Yingge's Pottery Street (Yingge Old Street) are famous for their pottery and ceramic crafts.

Origin of the name

On the northern side of Yingge lies a formation that went by the names of 鸚哥石 (Parrot Stone), 鷹哥石 (Eagle Brother Stone), and 鶯哥 (Golden oriole or Warbler Brother). The modern name "Yingge" (鶯歌) literally means "Warbler Song" in Chinese.

According to legend, the rock formation produced a miasma that disoriented, sickened, and sometimes killed passers-by. One day, General Koxinga led his army past the rock. When they were caught in the miasma, he ordered his cannon to fire against the rock. When the neck of the stone eagle was broken, the miasma lifted and the troops could continue on their march.

History

According to the locals, the history of ceramics in Yingge began 200 years ago when Wu An (吳鞍) immigrated from Guangzhou to Yingge to become the first potter in the area. Later, Chen Kun (陳昆), a brick maker, moved to the area and the two strived to make Yingge into the center of Taiwan's ceramics industry.^[3]

Today, Yingge is the largest center for ceramic production in Taiwan, with over 800 ceramic-related businesses in the area.

Attractions

• Yingge Pottery Street (also known as Yingge Old Street, in Chinese: 鶯歌老街) — a pedestrian shopping street specializing in ceramic arts, pottery, porcelain, and other related products.
• Taipei County Yingge Ceramics Museum — a large museum exhibiting ceramic culture in Taiwan.
• Yingge Rock — the eagle-shaped rock that gives Yingge its name.

References

External links

• Government website (Chinese)
• Government website (English)
• Yingge travel guide from Wikitravel

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Coordinates: 24°57′N 121°21′E / 24.95°N 121.35°E / 24.95; 121.35