Tongxiao

Tóngxiāo (通霄) is a coastal township in southwestern Miaoli with a population of approximately 31,000. It was originally inhabited by the Taokas group of Taiwanese Plains Indigenous peoples. It is distinguished by its many Japanese colonial era heritage sites, most notably the well-preserved Tongxiao Shinto Shrine, completed in 1937; the Kakushi Oi Monument; and the repurposed Retrocession Monument from 1934. The area combines historical significance with religious importance, featuring the famous Baishatun Gongtian Temple, widely known for its Mazu pilgrimage and traditional industries preserved in sites like the heritage-listed Railway Granary Complex from 1950. Located between the Taiwan Strait and inland mountains, Tongxiao serves as both a coastal retreat and a repository of Taiwan’s complex colonial and post-war history.