Hongmao Well, Historical water well in East District, Chiayi City, Taiwan.
Hongmao Well is a circular stone structure that descends several meters below ground in Chiayi City. The construction displays typical features of Dutch well-building techniques from that period.
This well was built during the Dutch colonial period in the 17th century to supply water for European settlers. It represents the practical infrastructure that colonists developed to establish their communities in Taiwan.
The name Hongmao means red hair and comes from how local people perceived the Dutch colonists who built this water system. This name shows how residents understood and identified the foreign settlers through their own observations.
The well is located in the eastern part of Chiayi City and can be visited while exploring local historical landmarks. The site is easy to reach and offers a clear view of the structure from different angles.
This is one of the few remaining wells from the Dutch Formosa period still standing in central Taiwan. The structure demonstrates how foreign construction methods adapted to the local environment and lasted through the centuries.
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