PAN-CH'IAO

also spelled Pan Kiao shih (municipality) and seat of T'ai-pei hsien (county), northern Taiwan, 4 mi (7 km) southwest of Taipei city, in the northern part of the western coastal plain. Situated on the eastern bank of Tan-shui Ho (Tamsui River), it flourished in the early 18th century and is the centre of the agricultural region producing tea, rice, sweet potatoes, and citrus fruits. Pan-ch'iao is on the West Line branch of the Taiwan Railway. Its chief industries are textile production and food canning; coal is mined and clay is extracted nearby. The oriental garden of the Lin-pen Yan and T'zu Hu (Lake Mercy), about 13 mi southwest of Pan-ch'iao, are tourist attractions. Pop. (1979 est.) 377,523.