An official issued harbor

1783 A.D. was an important year for the development of Lukang. In that year, several restrictions were lifted. Besides, the formal business relationship with Xiamen was established in the same year—second only to Tainan’s Luerhmen—which not only made Lukang the largest and most important business port to the mainland in central Taiwan, but also prompted the formation of "No sky" street area (The Roofed Street). As we can see, Emporer Chenlong was the most important person in the history of "No-sky" street area.

TOP

       Lukang became the major marine security force in the Ching Dynasty to tackle the increasingly rampant pirate problem. The fact that the Ching military made its landing in Lukang to suppress the revolt of Lin Shuang-wen underscores the Lukang’s key role in military operations. The presence of the armies obviously improved the security of Lukang, which increased the likelihood that the people in the southeastern coast of the mainland to move to Lukang. According to the census of that time, the population of Lukang kept on increasing from the time of formally being designated as a business port to the reign of Chia Ching.

TOP

        Chieh-Shih (The Street City)of Lukang then became the largest business city of central Lukang, and its business development went into full bloom, attracting all sorts of agricultural products of central Taiwan and all sorts of goods imported from the mainland. At this time, the Old Street, the Main Street (including 'No sky' street area), Chiu-Chu-Chieh (The Nine-Curve Alley), and the streets in the port were all completed, perfect for business transportation. 'No sky' street area owed its beginning to the need for more roads, but it turns out to be the most prosperous place of Lukang. The goods imported from the mainland were shipped to the Old Street, transferred to the Main Street, and sold by wholesalers, big or small, on 'No sky' street area.

TOP

        The arch-shaped Main Street penetrated the center of Lukang and was the primary transportation route. It can be divided into 9 streets, from south to north: Pan-Tien Street, Chang-Hsing Street, Tai-Hsing Street, He-Hsing Street, Fu-Hsing Street, Shun-Hsing Street, Chi-Tzu-Chiao Street, Cheng-Huang Temple, and Tsai-Shih-Tou Street. The section from Chang-Hsing Street to Shun-Hsing Street (a.k.a. Wu-Fu Street) and the section of Pan-Tien Street are roofed—hence the title 'No sky' street area/The Roofed Street. It was the heyday of  'No sky' street area then.

In  Sum, the commercial activities were so dynamic that enlarged the formation of Lukang to be the second largest city in Taiwan between the period of  the issue of official harbor and Sino-China war. " No sky" street area, as the main commerce center of Lukang, was at its golden years for one hundred year. This period end with Sino-China war, and the street began to decline. As the largest city street in Central Taiwan, " No sky " street area arouse a golden rush which was a fascinating memory of Lukang for all who are interested.

《Next Twilight…》