Dakeng was originally called “Dakenggu,” where “gu” refers to the traditional method of fishing using manpower to drag fishing nets. “Dakeng” itself refers to a large river, and the area was once located near the old river outlet of the Yilan River. Residents set up “gu” (which also means dragnets) along the coast for fishing, leading to the name “Dakenggu.”
Dakeng’s coastline is made up of sandy shores, and its residents mainly rely on fishing, with agriculture as a secondary livelihood. Local fishermen often use bamboo rafts to conduct nearshore fishing, and the traditional method of “qiangu” (dragnet fishing) is still practiced today.
In earlier times, a river separated Dakeng from the Toucheng Old Street. In 1924, a flood buried the Touwei Harbor, creating a new landmass that connected both sides—eliminating the need to travel across the river by boat.