History of Gongguan

Originally named Gongguan Street and nicknamed “Yiliaosia” (which means “behind the checkpoint”), the Township was the center of the early settlements of the Hakka people emigrated from Mainland to Miaoli during during the reign of Emperors Cianlong and Jiacing of the Ching Dynasty. The forebears established a checkpoint and gathered young men to safeguard the security of the community around today's Fuji and Shih-ciang. Fuji was originally named Yilao (checkpoint); hence, Gongguan Street was called “Yiliaosia” (behind the checkpoint). The place became a city during the reign of Emperor Daoguan in late Ching Dynasty. Surrounded by mountains, the city was an ideal place for the government to set up offices and public construction for public services. In 1895, an official residence was established and later in 1920, upon the establishment of local government, the city was renamed as official residence; thus, it was then called “Gongguan” (meaning official residence).                

　 　Sitting between Bajiaodong Mountain Range and Houlong Stream, the Township is situated to the southeast of Miaoli City and in the central west of Miaoli County. Its topography gradually descends from east (Bajiaodong Mountain) to northwest (Houlong Stream) until it reaches Miaoli Plain. The Township is bordered to the north by Miaoli City and Touwu Township, to the west by Tongluo, to the east by Shihtan with Bajiaodong Mountain standing at the border and it connects to Dahu Township with Guandao Mountain Range at the border. The Township is the core of Miaoli County as well as the bridge pylon of the drainage basin of Houlong Stream for the early immigrants who moved to the Island from the mainland.