Banqiao, New Taipei City, Taiwan

🇹🇼 Banqiao District (板橋區) is a district and the seat of New Taipei City, Taiwan. It has the third-highest population density in Taiwan. Until the creation of New Taipei City, Banqiao (then transliterated as Banciao or Pan-ch'iao) was an incorporated county-administered city and the former seat of Taipei County.

History In the early 20th century, Pankyo (Pankyu) was a walled city and said to be owned by a landlord who had lived there "in feudal style", surrounded by armed retainers.

From 1920 to 1945, during Japanese rule, the area was administrated as Itahashi Town (板橋街), Kaizan District, Taihoku Prefecture.

Banqiao was upgraded from an urban township to a county-administered city as Pan-ch'iao or Banciao City of Taipei County on 1 July 1972. The city became Banqiao District on 25 December 2010.

Geography Banqiao is located in western part of the Taipei Basin of northern Taiwan, in the subtropical climate zone. Banqiao is surrounded by Taipei to the east, Sanchong to the north, Xinzhuang to the north-west, Shulin to the south-west, Tucheng to the south, and Zhonghe to the southeast. Banqiao is also bordered by two rivers, Xindian River to the north-east and Dahan River to the northwest.

Economy Agriculture sector thrived in Banqiao in the 1950s. In the 1960s, manufacturing sector started to appear in the region and in the 1970s industries and commerce have developed. In the 1980 and '90s, finance and commerce grew in the area.

Education Banqiao is home to several universities, including: National Taiwan University of Arts • Chihlee University of Technology • Oriental Institute of Technology.

Tourist attractions • Banqiao 435 Art Zone • Banqiao Agricultural Park • Banqiao Stadium • Cihui Temple • Jieyun Temple • Lehua Night Market • Lin Family Mansion and Garden • Nanya Night Market • New Taipei City Main Public Library • Paleo Wonders Mineral Fossil Museum • Xinhai Constructed Wetland • Stone Sculpture Park • Zhenwu Temple

Sports facilities Banqiao has several sports facilities (including Banqiao Stadium,) and the annual New Taipei City sports game is hosted in the district.

Transport Banqiao is well served by multiple public transportation services. Banqiao station is served by THSR bullet trains, conventional rail TRA trains, and the Taipei Metro.

Since beginning of 2020, the Circular line of the Taipei Metro also runs through the district. The Taipei Metro serves the district via the following stations: • Far Eastern Hospital metro station • Fuzhong metro station • Xinpu metro station • Jiangzicui metro station • Banxin metro station • Xinpu Minsheng metro station • Banqiao station

Bus lines connect Banqiao with downtown Taipei and nearby districts.

Provincial Highway 3 and Provincial Highway 64 run through the district.

Infrastructure • Far Eastern Memorial Hospital.