Rural Township · 社頭鄉
🧦 Shetou Township 社頭鄉
38.1km²
Area
面積
~48,000
Population
人口
鄉
Rural Township
行政類型
What Shetou Township is famous for 特色
Shetou produces approximately 70% of all socks made in Taiwan — earning it the title "Sock Capital of Taiwan" (台灣織襪之都). Family-run knitting mills line the streets, and the township holds a Sock Festival each year. Qingshuiyan Temple (清水岩) is a famous Qing-era scenic landmark carved into the hillside.
社頭鄉生產了台灣約七成的襪子，因而贏得「台灣織襪之都」的美稱。鄉內街道兩旁遍布家庭式針織工廠，每年更舉辦盛大的織襪節慶典。清水岩廟是清朝時期著名的山水景點，廟宇依山壁而建，氣勢壯觀。
Places to visit 值得一遊
Shetou Sock Street織襪街
A bustling commercial strip where family-run mills sell their products directly to the public at factory prices. You can find hundreds of sock styles — from athletic to formal — and watch workers operate knitting machines up close. It is the best place to understand why Shetou earned its nickname as Taiwan's sock capital.
Qingshuiyan Temple清水岩
Founded in 1736 during the Qing Dynasty, this remarkable temple is partially built into a natural cliff face on the hillside. The main hall enshrines a celebrated stone statue of Qingshui Patriarch (清水祖師), drawing pilgrims from across central Taiwan. The surrounding forest trails and mountain scenery make it a favorite destination for both worshippers and hikers.
Baguashan Scenic Trail八卦山步道東入口
Shetou provides the eastern gateway to the famous Baguashan mountain ridge, which stretches across several townships in Changhua County. The trails here wind through bamboo groves and offer panoramic views over the Changhua Plain. It connects with the broader Baguashan trail network, making Shetou a great starting point for a day hike.
Shetou Station社頭車站
Shetou's historic railway station has served the township since the Japanese colonial era and remains a charming reminder of the area's long connection to Taiwan's western trunk line. The station building retains vintage architectural details that make it a quiet spot for photography and reflection. For locals and visitors alike, it marks the heart of the township center.
Did you know? 你知道嗎？
Six facts about Shetou Township — perfect for quizzes and classroom discussions.
六個關於社頭鄉的趣味知識，適合課堂問答。
One Factory Started It All一家工廠帶動群聚
Shetou's sock industry began in the 1960s when a single factory owner trained neighbors who then opened competing mills — creating a cluster effect. This remarkable chain reaction turned an ordinary farming township into Taiwan's most important hosiery production hub within just a few decades.
Socks Went Global台灣襪子外銷全球
At peak production during the 1980s and 1990s, Shetou exported socks to the United States, Japan, and Europe. Millions of pairs bearing "Made in Taiwan" labels originated right here in this small township, giving Shetou an outsized role in Taiwan's export economy during its rapid growth years.
"Made in Shetou" Premium社頭製造成高端品牌
Today, "Made in Shetou" socks are marketed as a premium domestic brand versus cheaper imports. As low-cost manufacturing shifted overseas, local producers reinvented themselves by emphasizing quality craftsmanship, unique designs, and the heritage of their decades-long expertise.
Temple Built Into Cliff廟宇嵌入山壁而建
Qingshuiyan Temple (1736) is built partly into a cliff face and houses a famous stone statue of Qingshui Patriarch (清水祖師). This extraordinary construction technique, blending the natural rock formation with traditional temple architecture, makes it one of the most visually striking religious sites in Changhua County.
County's Biggest Pilgrimage彰化最盛大的遶境活動
The temple's annual pilgrimage is one of the county's largest Daoist events, attracting tens of thousands of devotees who join a colorful procession through the township. The ceremony features traditional music, elaborate palanquins, and offerings that reflect centuries of living folk religious tradition in central Taiwan.
Cotton Yarn for All of Taiwan棉紗供應全台灣
Shetou also produces significant quantities of cotton yarn (棉紗) used in hosiery island-wide. This upstream role in the textile supply chain means that even factories in other parts of Taiwan that knit their own socks may depend on raw materials sourced from Shetou, extending the township's influence far beyond its modest size.