Miaoli International Double Cittaslow City Creates a Remarkable Tourism Trend

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family / Compiled & Reported
 
Miaoli County – Impressive Achievements in Tourism Governance: The Hydrangea Blooming Village in Nanzhuang Township and the Wood Art & Slow Living Cittaslow Project in Sanyi Township were both certified as International Cittaslow Cities in February 2016, demonstrating remarkable execution.

Enhancing Quality to Promote Development
Miaoli County is the only city in Taiwan with two International Cittaslow Cities. In addition to promoting the Cittaslow spirit of slow living, slow food, and slow travel through townships and villages, the 2019 “Year of Leisurely Town Exploration” initiative led by the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has also listed Miaoli County as a key focus area. The dual Cittaslow Cities of Sanyi and Nanzhuang will serve as models, further invigorating local industries and redefining Miaoli’s tourism appeal.

While Taiwan’s tourism industry has been impacted by a decline in mainland Chinese visitors, leading to a drop in visitor numbers at many famous attractions, Sanyi and Nanzhuang have seen a steady or even increasing flow of tourists thanks to their unique international Cittaslow characteristics. Following the international Cittaslow certification, the county government actively implemented various plans and tourism development initiatives in the Sanyi and Nanzhuang areas. These include improving infrastructure, enhancing the tourism environment, promoting plastic reduction campaigns, creating installation art, and upgrading urban aesthetics. Moreover, over 100 local businesses signed the Cittaslow Merchant Pact to strengthen local production. Within one year, 29 businesses were certified as Cittaslow Merchants, encouraging the use of locally produced goods.

Expanding Global Promotion to Tap Business Opportunities
Under the county government’s International Double Cittaslow Rural Tourism Plan, more than 30 local businesses were invited to design two major rural tourism routes. For example, Nanzhuang focuses on hydrangeas as its tourism theme, targeting the senior citizen demographic, and integrates community development. Through cross-sector collaboration, students are encouraged to engage in community service, which also enhances the physical and mental well-being of seniors and fosters self-awareness. Sanyi, on the other hand, emphasizes training young woodcarvers and tour guides to ensure the continued inheritance of local industries and tourism features. Recently, it pioneered the Old Mountain Line Railway Bicycle, creating a new tourism highlight that received a 66.4% satisfaction rate from local residents, making the Cittaslow movement a way of life in Miaoli.