Shihtan, Miaoli

Shihtanis a township in Miaoli County, Taiwan. It is located in a mountainous area with a mild, sub-tropical climate. Its rainy season is from May to September.

History

The area was occupied by native Taiwanese through the 19th Century with an economy strongly dependent upon hunting. In 1876 the Chinese began to build bullock roads into the area, however it was not until the 1930s, during the Japanese occupation, that standardized roads began to be constructed. The first motor vehicle road was completed into Shihtan in 1939, and regular bus service was started. However by 1942 the bus service had ended because of fuel rationing.

Transportation

Shihtan is served by Provincial Highway No. 3 and Provincial Highway No. 72.

Culture

The Shihtan Village Historic Museum preserves a Hakka dwelling from the Koxinga period. [ [http://www1.mlc.gov.tw/culture/english/01.php?id=26 "Shihtan Village Historic Museum" Cultural Affairs Bureau of Miaoli County website] ]

Education

Among the schools in Shihtan are:
* [http://www.stjh.mlc.edu.tw/ 苗栗縣立獅潭國中]
* [http://www.st.mlc.edu.tw/ 苗栗縣獅潭鄉獅潭國民小學 Shihtan Elementary School] in Chinese
* [http://www.yungshinges.mlc.edu.tw/ 苗栗縣獅潭鄉永興國民小學]
* [http://web.fl.mlc.edu.tw/ 苗栗縣獅潭鄉豐林國民小學]

Local food specialties

Local food specialities include:
*Tea (茶)
*Mesona (仙草), specifically "Mesona chinensis", which is served as a hot, viscous drink, or curded and served over ice as a type of grass jelly.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.miaoli.gov.tw/Shihtan/ "獅潭鄉公所" "Shihtan Township" Miaoli County website] in Chinese