[3] Under Japanese colonial rule, the town was renamed Chikutō (竹東), which was retained as Zhudong after the Republic of China took over in 1945.

The former name of the area was Chhiū-kí-nâ (樹杞林), literally "Ardisia sieboldii [zh] forest" with the present name adopted under Japanese rule in 1920.

Shangping, Ruifeng, Ruanqiao, Yuandong, Shangguan, Dongning, Zhongzheng, Daxiang, Zhongshan, Nanhua, Donghua, Shanghua, Jilin, Renai, Zhudong, Zhongxiao, Rongle, Ronghua, Wufeng, Liufeng, Sanchong, Erchong, Touchong, Yuanshan and Kehu Village.

A well-prepared path with steps and tiled and wooden walkways enables walking to the peak and the ridge overlooking Zhudong in all weather.

Taiwan High Speed Rail passes through the western part of the township, but there is no planned station.