Public restrooms are seen as a reflection of a city's culture and quality. The Daken area in Taichung is a popular destination for hiking and outdoor activities, often praised as the "Yangmingshan of Taichung." However, finding a clean and convenient restroom has been a challenge due to the old and unkempt facilities. This year, Taichung’s Tourism and Travel Bureau allocated funds to renovate three public restrooms, creating brand-new walls, updating outdated pipelines and equipment, and crafting a more user-friendly restroom environment. These three restrooms are located near the training field of Daken No. 1 Hiking Trail, next to Minxing Lane near Daken No. 5 Hiking Trail, and alongside the trail near Guoxing Temple at Tiezhen Mountain in Dajia. After the makeover, the restrooms — with their clean, bright environments and refreshed exteriors — no longer deter hikers from using them.
This year, the Tourism Bureau renovated three restrooms in the scenic area that had become outdated due to age, with worn-out facilities and exterior walls. Not only were the old fixtures replaced, but the designs also incorporated themes reflecting Daken’s ecological features. Lighting and ventilation were improved, and each stall door was decorated with scenic landscapes or cute animal patterns. The restroom near Daken No. 5 Hiking Trail features a special exterior butterfly mural inspired by the local ecosystem, adding an artistic touch to the hiking experience in Daken.
Lin Xiaoqi, Director of the city’s Tourism and Travel Bureau, said that Taichung Mayor Lu Shieu-yan places great importance on the convenience of residents’ daily lives. Restrooms are one of the most visible aspects of municipal services. In addition to maintaining basic cleanliness and hygiene, the city is improving outdated facilities to boost public satisfaction and create more restroom-friendly environments.
The Tourism Bureau is also constructing new restrooms in areas where they are lacking. The new restroom at Daken No. 9-1 Hiking Trail is expected to be completed by the end of September. This facility will include a family-friendly restroom. The Bureau plans to continue renovating other aging restrooms along hiking trails, consistently improving restroom conditions in line with the “not dirty, not wet, not smelly” principle. The public is encouraged to help care for and respect these facilities.
(China Times)