Research & Library
The Essence of Xinbeishi: Prosperity · Decline · Revival
- Source:客家文化發展中心
- Publication Date:2025/09/21
- Last updated:2025/09/21
- Count Views:34
Xinbeishi in Neipu Township is composed of the villages Fengtian and Zhenfeng. Compared with Laobeishi, it is a later-developed settlement. In the past, its location along major transportation routes, the abundance of rice mills, and the invisible influence of gentry families who maintained social order all contributed to Xinbeishi’s prominence among Hakka communities. Its most notable symbol is the Baroque-style Fengtian Old Street, a rare architectural style in southern Hakka regions. Over time, as family-based social structures waned, the Old Street lost its former luster, transitioning from a vibrant and opulent thoroughfare to a collection of modest and historically rich buildings. Yet Xinbeishi did not wither alongside the decline of the Old Street. The traditional brewing industry hiding in the alleys sparked an innovative revival. Through creative marketing, this seemingly fading industry re-entered the market with a modern, artisanal appeal. In this way, the legacy of Xinbeishi shifted from the grandiose Old Street to flourishing brewing businesses, poised to shine anew into the next century.
Published by: Ho Chin-Liang
Publisher: Hakka Culture Development Center, Hakka Affairs Council
Author: Chung Wen-Chih
GPN: 1011400049
ISBN: 978-626-7242-71-1
First Edition: February 2025
Price: NT$250