During the Qing Dynasty, the area was mainly focused on fishing and agriculture. With the development of Taiwan's economy, villages gradually formed here. Due to its geographical location near the coast, Nanliao became an important settlement for fishermen and has a strong fishing village culture in the local community. The name "Nanliao" comes from its location south of Hsinchu, and the word "liao" in Minnan dialect refers to temporary, simple huts or sheds, reflecting the early days when fishermen built temporary shelters here.
(1731) The "Zhunan Port" was developed on the west bank of the Touqian River estuary, allowing goods from the Zhunan area to be loaded and unloaded here.
(1898) The old port was one of Taiwan's important transportation ports to Qing China and a relay point for fishing boats traveling between the north and south of Taiwan. The old port, located in a crucial position, became a target for pirates.
(1952) The government built the "Nanliao Fishing Harbor" to develop the fishing industry, and this project was completed in 1959. After the government banned private trade between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, some fishermen still attempted to smuggle agricultural products from mainland China through Nanliao Fishing Harbor to gain substantial profits. This led to multiple clashes between the police and civilians at Nanliao Fishing Harbor. Smuggling incidents were frequently reported at Nanliao Fishing Harbor, such as on August 19, 1989, when police records showed that over 30% of the fishing boats at the harbor were involved in smuggling.