Before the
Dutch and
Han Chinese invaded, this region was home to a community of
Taiwanese aborigines, the Siraya. In 1624, the
VOC occupied Tayuan (modern day
Anping, Tainan). In the past, the
Siraya indigenous tribe called this place
Tavocan ("land of hill and forest").
Tavakan was a village of about a thousand people; the name was also written
Taffacan,
Tavocan,
Tavacang, and
Davocan in Dutch records. The village grew into the market-town of
Twa-bak-kang (), about southeast of
Sin-kang (modern-day
Sinshih). After 1627, the VOC sent missionaries into neighboring districts. In 1635,
George Candidius, a Dutch pastor, advised
Pieter Nuyts, the leader of the
Dutch VOC in Taiwan, that the VOC would have to conquer the aborigines before they could be controlled. In 1636, eighteen tribal groups, including the inhabitants of Tavocan, submitted to Dutch rule. Since the early part of the 20th century, Sinhua has been an important fruit wholesaling center. Around 1920, dozens of baroque-influenced store buildings were constructed along what is now Jhongjheng Road. Most of these buildings survive in good condition, and the street, known as "Sinhua Old Street," has become a tourist attraction. In 1945,
Sinshih Township was part of Sinhua District. ==Geography==