Beigan

Beigan Township 北竿鄉
Rural Township
Beigan Township · 北竿鄉
Beigan Township in Lienchiang County
Coordinates: 26°13′25″N 119°59′21″E / 26.22361°N 119.98917°E / 26.22361; 119.98917Coordinates: 26°13′25″N 119°59′21″E / 26.22361°N 119.98917°E / 26.22361; 119.98917
Country	Taiwan
County	Lienchiang County
Area
• Total	9.90 km2 (3.82 sq mi)
Population (Dec. 2014)
• Total	2,320
• Density	230/km2 (610/sq mi)
Postal code	210
Area code(s)	(0)836
Website	www.beigan.gov.tw

Beigan Township (Chinese: 北竿鄉; pinyin: Běigān Xiāng; Báe̤k-găng-hiŏng), is one of the five major islands of the Matsu Islands, is officially administrated as Lienchiang County by the Republic of China (Taiwan). Beigan Township refers to the administrative subdivision that also includes the major island, Beigan island, as well as other smaller islands of Matsu such as Gao-dan island (高登島), Lian island (亮島). This township served as one of the Three Links to mainland China before direct links between Taiwan and the PRC were reestablished.

Beigan was firstly developed during the Song and Yuan Dynasty. In the Ming Dynasty, the island went out of cultivation for several times due to the three "moves". Pirates also were often seen in the area.

Beigan's vast resources of fish attracted many coastal Fujian residents to settle in the area to fish. In 1949, with the establishment of the People's Republic of China in Mainland China, Matsu was separated from the mainland and was subsequently incorporated under Lienchiang County by the Government of the Republic of China.

Beigan Township is located approximately 114 nautical miles northwest from Taiwan Island. The township is located to the north relatively to the other Matsu Islands and it is the second largest island of all five only after Nangan. It also has the second largest population area among other townships in the county. The most populous and convenient area of Beigan is Tan-chi village (塘岐村) (this is also the place where major shops and restaurant are located).