🌾 Xikou Township

Xikou Township sits in the northern part of Chiayi County along the banks of the Puzi River (朴子溪), one of the main waterways draining the Chiayi plain into the Taiwan Strait. The river's alluvial deposits have built up a deep, fertile soil layer over thousands of years, making the surrounding plain exceptionally productive for rice cultivation. Xikou's farmers have grown rice here for generations, following the biennial planting calendar of spring (second crop) and autumn (first crop) harvests.

The township is small and rural, with a tranquil character shaped by traditional farming life. Its village temples, irrigation canals, and classic farmhouses reflect a way of life that has changed little over decades. The Puzi River itself provides both irrigation water and a scenic natural corridor — riverside walking paths and fishing spots are popular with local residents, and migratory birds use the river's banks and sandbars as resting points each winter.

溪口鄉位於嘉義縣北部，緊鄰朴子溪河岸——朴子溪是將嘉義平原排水入台灣海峽的主要水系之一。數千年來河流沖積物堆積形成深厚肥沃的土壤層，使周邊平原成為稻米種植的絕佳之地。溪口農民世代在此耕作，遵循春作（第二期稻）與秋作（第一期稻）的雙期農曆。

本鄉規模小巧、農村風情濃厚，傳統農耕生活塑造了其恬靜的性格。村落廟宇、灌溉渠道與典型農舍，反映了數十年來幾乎不曾改變的生活方式。朴子溪本身提供灌溉水源，也是一條美麗的自然廊道——河岸步道與釣魚點深受居民喜愛，候鳥每逢冬季也在河岸沙洲上休憩。