Bajiang River Benevolent Ferry

The site was established during the Kangxi era, or even earlier, along one of the main rivers of the Chianan Plain. Taiwanese rivers are short and swift, so travelers often relied on ferries. The Pazhang River was a vital waterway, home to numerous ferry crossings. The busiest and most important of these was located next to Mituo Temple. Legend has it that in the 54th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign (1715), Zhou Zhongxuan, the magistrate of Zhuluo County, rallied donations to build rafts at this crossing to assist people. The Pazhang River (known anciently as the Bajiang River) is a major river of the Chianan Plain. In earlier times, long bridges could not be constructed, so a ferry crossing was established next to Mituo Temple for boats and rafts. The 'Bajiang River Benevolent Ferry Stele,' carved in 1847, remains preserved today. Such a stele, commemorating a benevolent ferry service and uniquely adapted to its environment, is exceedingly rare and valuable in Taiwan. The Pazhang River is situated south of the Puzi River and north of the Jishui River. It traverses Fanlu, Zhongpu, Shuishang, Taibao, Lucao, Yizhu, and Budai townships/cities in Chiayi County, along with parts of Chiayi City, and Beimen, Yanshui, Xuejia, Houbi, and Baihe districts in Tainan City. It eventually empties into the Taiwan Strait at Haomei Village in Chiayi County. During flood seasons, the Pazhang River's discharge volume can reach approximately 1,800 cubic meters per second. However, during dry seasons, this volume plummets to just 0.4 cubic meters per second, demonstrating a remarkably drastic fluctuation in water levels. During the summer and autumn flood seasons, the Pazhang River would swell dramatically, impeding transportation for residents on both banks and making passage impossible. To cross the river, residents relied on bamboo rafts. Consequently, five ferry crossings were established along the Pazhang River's banks for rafts to dock and for people to embark and disembark. The establishment of such benevolent ferries held significant importance for the selection of early transportation routes and urban development in Taiwan. The Bajiang River Benevolent Ferry greatly aided merchants and travelers commuting to and from Chiayi City, facilitated trade and transport, and contributed significantly to the economic prosperity of the Chiayi region. The surviving benevolent ferry stele stands as a testament to this rich history.