Construction: First built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi or maybe even earlier.
One of the main rivers of Chianan Plain!
Rivers in Taiwan are generally short and fast-flowing. Travelers frequently had to cross rivers by boat. Bajhang River was an important water transportation route with many crossings. The busiest and most important crossing was next to Mituo Temple. Legend has it that Jhong-syuan Jhou, the magistrate of Jhuluo, raised the funds to build a raft at the crossing.
Bajhang River (originally named Bajiang River) is one of the main waterways of Chianan Plain. Such a long bridge could not be built in the early years so a ferry landing was built next to Mituo River. The “Bajiang River Charity Ferry Stele” inscribed in 1847 is still preserved. It is extremely rare to find a stele still in its original location in Taiwan.
Bajiang River is located south of Puzih River and north of Jishui River. It flows through Chiayi’s Fanlu Township, Jhongpu Township, Shuishang Township, Taibao Township, Lucao Township, Yijhu Township, Budai Township, and Chiayi City, as well as Tainan’s Beimen District, Yanshui District, Shuijia District, Houbi District, and Baihe District before finally flowing into the Taiwan Strait at Haomei Village in Chiayi County. The flow rate of Bajiang River can reach up to 1,800 m3 per second when it is in flood. During the dry season, however, this drops to just 0.4 m3 per second.
The steep increase in the water level of Bajiang River during the summer and autumn wet seasons makes it impassable to residents living either side. Residents could only cross from one side of the river to the other on bamboo rafts. Five ferry crossings were once set up by residents along Bajiang River. Rafts could dock here for residents to embark or disembark.
The establishment of charity ferries had a strong influence on the choice of transportation routes and development of cities in Taiwan in the early years. Bajiang River Charity Ferry made a major contribution to the business, trade and transportation of Chiayi City, as well as the economic prosperity of the Chiayi region. The surviving charity ferry stele serves as a witness to that period of history.
