Lukang Township, formerly known as “Lô͘-á-káng,” is located in the northwestern part of Changhua County, Taiwan, on the northern bank of the Lukang River estuary. The terrain is flat, with most of the area lying below 10 meters above sea level. It features three types of landscapes: alluvial plains, coastal lowlands, and tidal reclaimed land. The township has a population of approximately 84,000, making it the fourth most populous administrative area in Changhua County.
In earlier times, Lukang served as one of the most convenient ports connecting Taiwan and mainland China, especially with Jinjiang County in Quanzhou Prefecture. Frequent trade across the Taiwan Strait attracted many elites and merchants from the three counties of Quanzhou, resulting in a flourishing Han cultural environment with strong literary traditions. During the Qing Dynasty, Lukang was one of Taiwan’s most significant international trading ports, ranked alongside Tainan and Mengjia (now Wanhua, Taipei) as “Tainan First, Lukang Second, Mengjia Third.”
However, due to harbor silting and the rise of railway transportation, Lukang gradually lost its commercial status, and its economy stagnated. Yet, this slowdown in development allowed Lukang to preserve many historical features and architectural heritage, including Lukang Tianhou Temple, Lukang Longshan Temple, and the Wenwu Temple, making it an important hub for cultural tourism today.
Lukang is also known for its rich local specialties, including seafood snacks such as mole crabs and oyster omelets, as well as traditional pastries and exquisite handcrafts. The town embodies deep local characteristics in history, culture, and cuisine.
