Xiluo Yanping Old Street

Xiluo (西螺), Yunlin is at south coast of Zhoushui River (濁水溪), the biggest river in Taiwan. In age of agriculture, population gathered here for its rich soil. After a severe typhoon and flooding in Qing Dynasty, temples were built for invoking protection from disasters. That the high density of temples brought people here altogether and grew the place into a town. Shops and a market had brought new kind of essential economic activities other than agriculture. Later, the colonial domination by Japanese and WWII had boosted the need of its agricultural products drastically. The construction project of Xiluo Bridge (西螺大橋) was a representation of Xiluo’s golden period during 1930s and surged the price level of houses around. In that time, more than two hundreds houses were in two or more stories. The rich started to put effort on their houses. The one owned by a dentist had two asymmetrical curves on its third floor. With triangle wooden windows, this house forms a shape of tooth, which is a design beyond the fashion in that time.

After KMT (Chinese Nationalist Party) retreated to Taiwan, plan on city development and industrial focus was changed, leading to a downturn of Xiluo’s importance. Younger population started to move to urban area and eventually desolated the town. Yet, the situation has changed when the need of economic development and heritage conservation meet. Sightseeing tourism starts to attract people back to Xiluo. Lots of houses are open for public, allowing a peep into the life of businessman in past. The East Market (東市場) where used to gather stalls and shops is injected with new blood of culture and creativity. Cafe and art gallery bring new usage to these old houses. The herbal tea (青草茶) at corner and Sanjiao Dashuijiao (三角大水餃) in alley fill leaving visitors up with nostalgic memories.