The Touqian River (Chinese: 頭前溪; Hanyu Pinyin: Tóuqián Xī) is a river in northern Taiwan. It flows through Hsinchu County for approximately 63 kilometers (39 miles), making it one of the major waterways in the region.
Course and Geography
The river originates in the Xueshan Range (Snowy Mountain Range) at Luchang Mountain, at an elevation of 2,616 meters (8,583 feet). It flows northwest through Hsinchu County and Hsinchu City before converging with the Fengshan River near Nanliao and emptying into the Taiwan Strait. The river's basin covers an area of approximately 565.94 square kilometers (218.51 square miles).
Characteristics
The Touqian River is characterized by a steep, relatively brief water flow typical of mountain rivers in Taiwan. It serves as a significant watershed between the Dahan and Zhonggang Rivers.
Notable Features
The river is known for its "tofu rocks" — square concrete blocks placed in the riverbed as water breakers. These structures were installed to slow the river's flow and mitigate soil erosion of the riverbed. The area along the river includes wetlands, riverside parks, and biking trails, and is noted for Hejin cherry blossoms that bloom along the riverbank.
Tributaries and Confluence
The Touqian River converges with the Fengshan River near Nanliao before reaching the Taiwan Strait.
