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| ~ 1624 |
Prior to the Arrival of the Dutch
Before the Dutch arrived in Taiwan, present-day Alian District was home to major settlements of the indigenous Pingpu (Plains Indigenous) peoples. Even earlier, prehistoric humans inhabited the eastern side of Mount Dagang. According to human skull and tooth fossils discovered by fossil collector Wang Liang-jie, early human activity in the Alian region can be traced back to approximately 50,000–200,000 years ago. |
| 1624~1683 |
The Dutch and Zheng Periods
Following their occupation of southern Taiwan in 1624, the Dutch actively brought large numbers of Han Chinese immigrants to the island for agricultural development to increase agricultural production and economic returns. In the 1630s, the Dutch East India Company even dispatched vessels to Fujian to transport laborers. Driven by the legendary incentive of "three taels of gold and an ox for every three people," waves of Han Chinese settlers migrated to southern Taiwan. The reclaimed lands were initially divided into 12 regions. Between 1654 and 1656, the Dutch expanded these by four more areas; notably, the region south of the Erren River (historically known as Vaersche River) fell within the territory of Alian. |
| 1683~1895 |
The Qing Dynasty
In 1683 (the 22nd year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign), Taiwan came under Qing rule under the administration of one prefecture and three counties. During this period, Alian was designated as part of the Jiaxiangwai Township (Jiaxiangwai Li) under the jurisdiction of Fengshan County. |
| 1895~1945 |
The Japanese Colonial Period
The Japanese colonial era was a pivotal period for the Buddhist temples of Dagang Mountain. When the Japanese military first occupied Taiwan, they encountered prolonged armed resistance. To ease tensions during the turbulent first two decades, the colonial government paired forceful military suppression with a softer domestic policy rooted in Buddhist diplomacy. Although Japanese Buddhist sects were introduced, they struggled to take root and eventually withdrew. Conversely, local Taiwanese Buddhism flourished, giving rise to the "Four Great Buddhist Schools" of the island. Chaofeng Temple, the cradle of the Dagang Mountain school, expanded significantly during this era. |
| 1945~ |
The Post-War and Modern Era
Following Japan's unconditional surrender in 1945, the Nationalist Government took over the administration of Taiwan. In 1946, Kaohsiung County was established, and Alian became one of its rural townships, originally administering 12 villages. Due to demographic shifts over the decades, village boundaries were reconfigured: Lunding Village was merged into Ganghou Village in 1978 due to population decline, while the populous Alian Village was split into Alian and Nanlian Villages in 1982, restoring the total to 12 villages.
In the early post-war period, many arrivals from mainland China—including government personnel and military families—settled in distinct communities. Over time, differences in language, customs, and historical backgrounds led to various social and cultural adaptations. In Fuan, the 'Dachen New Village' was established to accommodate residents evacuated from the Dachen Islands. Today, like many such settlements, it faces depopulation as younger generations relocate for career and educational opportunities.
Following the administrative merger of Kaohsiung City and County in 2010, Alian Township was officially renamed Alian District, and its rural villages became urban administrative villages (li).
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