[6] The area was occupied by native Taiwanese through the 19th Century with an economy strongly dependent upon hunting.

The township comprises seven villages: Boshou, Fenglin, Hexing, Xindian, Xinfeng, Yongxing and Zhumu.

The township is part of Miaoli County Constituency II electoral district for Legislative Yuan.

The Shitan Village Historic Museum preserves a Hakka dwelling from the Koxinga period.

[7] Other landmarks include Lingdong Temple, Shitan Presbyterian Church and Wenshui Old Street.