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Lukang (鹿港鎮, formerly Lugang), is an urban township in northwestern Changhua County, on the west coast of Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait. In 2012, it was named one of the Top 10 Small Tourist Towns by the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan. There are many old temples in Lukang, such as Longshan Temple and Matzu Temple. The city boasts over 200 temples dedicated to a wide variety of folk deities.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Lukang was an important sea port in the 18th century and 19th century. It was the most populous city in central Taiwan until the early 20th century. In 2023, its population was about 85,000.
An important trading port during Lukang's heyday from 1785 to 1845, Lukang was Taiwan's second largest city. The rice industry brought great wealth to the city. The subsequent silting of the harbor and the city's refusal to allow railways to pass through the city led to losses in trade in commerce, which, in turn led to Lukang's decline relative to other cities. This decline, however, averted the modernization processes that demolished historical buildings in Tainan and Taipei, leaving Lukang preserved as it was in the past.
Settled by immigrants from Quanzhou, the local dialect of Taiwanese is known for being very similar to the Quanzhou dialect of Minnan.
In 2011, the Ministry of Interior decided to keep the historical Wade-Giles spelling "Lukang" and abandon the change to the Pinyin spelling "Lugang".
Get in
[edit | edit source]Get around
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See
[edit | edit source]Museums and galleries
[edit | edit source]- 1 Lukang Rimao Hang (鹿港日茂行), No. 70, Quanzhou St.. 08:00–20:30. The former building of a trading house established in 1784 by a Fujianese businessman.
- 2 Lukang Culture Center (鹿港公會堂), No. 72, Butou St., ☏ +886 4 7769110. 10:00–17:00, closed Mon. The local cultural centre for the town. The building was built in 1928 during the period of Japanese occupation of Taiwan.
- 3 Lukang Folk Arts Museum (鹿港民俗文物館), No. 88, Guanqian St., ☏ +886 4 777 2019. 09:00–17:00, closed Mon. The museum houses a collection of Ming and Qing dynasty artifacts, such as: photographs, lacquerware, porcelain, carved stones, embroidery, and musical instruments. The building, and all the contents of the museum, were donated by local residents, particularly the Koo family. The building is an unusual combination of Asian architecture and Western architecture. NT$130.
- 4 Taiwan Glass Gallery (臺灣玻璃館), No. 30, Lugong S. 4th Rd., ☏ +886 4 781 1299. 08:00–18:00. It has exhibits related to glassware and glass production.
- 5 Brand's Health Museum (白蘭氏健康博物館), No.18, Lugong Rd., ☏ +886 4 781 0077. 09:00–17:00. A museum owned and operated by the Brand's company.
Temples
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- 6 Husheng Temple (Glass Temple) (台灣護聖宮), No. 28, Lugong S. 4th Rd., ☏ +886 4 781 1209. 08:00–21:00. A unique temple that resembles the traditional temple architecture, but is made of glass. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Mazu. The temple is across the road from the Taiwan Glass Gallery.
- 7 Longshan temple (龍山寺), No. 81, Jinmen Ln., ☏ +886 4-777-2472. 07:00–20:00. Built in the Qing Emperor Qianlong period, Lugang Longshan Temple has a long history, large scale, exquisite carvings, no delicate decoration, only simple characters, flowers and birds clay sculpture, with ancient colors, more elegant taste.
- 8 Lugang Mazu Temple (鹿港天后宮), No. 430, Zhongshan Rd (鹿港鎮中山路430號), ☏ +886 4-777-9899. 06:00–22:00. A famous Mazu Temple, after many expansions and renovations, completed today's exquisite and magnificent Lugang Mazu Temple. In the palace there are plaques of Emperor Qianlong and Emperor Guangxu.
- 9 Lukang Wen Wu Temple (鹿港文武廟), No. 2, Qingyun Rd, ☏ +886 4 7535030. 06:30–17:30.
- 10 Lukang Kinmen Hall (鹿港金門館), No. 54, Jinmen St, ☏ +886 4 774 5537.
Do
[edit | edit source]Buy
[edit | edit source]Eat
[edit | edit source]The Yu Jen Jai (玉珍齋) cakes are famous local specialties, as are Lukang's Ox Tongue Cakes (牛舌餅) and oyster pancakes.
- 1 Yu Jen Jai (玉珍齋), No. 168, Minzu Rd, ☏ +886 4 777 3672. 08:00–21:00. Established in 1877, the Yujhenjhai cakes are famous local specialties, as are Lukang's ox tongue cakes (牛舌餅) and oyster pancakes.