Written/Compiled and Reported by MOOK Scenic Spots Platform Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin
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Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival. Take a trip to Lukang town, where you can leisurely visit attractions on a traditional tricycle ride full of vintage charm, and enjoy local delicacies and the festival’s exclusive street parade. (Photo provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
10:00 AM / Lukang Electric Sightseeing Tricycle
The once-popular Lukang sightseeing tricycles were sorely missed after their service ended, leaving many locals disappointed and fewer opportunities for out-of-town visitors to explore the town with an experienced guide. But last spring, the Lukang Cultural Tourism Association took over the electric tricycle service, bringing them back to the town’s alleys. They now offer rides that take visitors through historic houses and temples, with four tour options available: single-stop ticket for NT$100, half-day ticket (50 minutes) for NT$400, full-day ticket (90 minutes) for NT$600, and extended ticket (150 minutes) for NT$900. You can choose the tour that best fits your schedule and preferences, and explore Lukang—one of the three major port cities of the Qing Dynasty—on a tricycle driven by a local.
[Info]
Address: No. 134, Anxiang St., Lukang Town; call the service hotline upon arrival at the historic area for door-to-door service
Phone: 04-777-4190, 0952-885-529
Website: http://goo.gl/Tqaj0
12:00 PM / Tsai Family Crystal Dumplings & Earthworm Longshan Rice Noodle Soup
When in Lukang, you must try the local delicacies—but since there’s more food sampling later in the day, just have a small taste for now. What to try? How about crystal dumplings, which have been around since the Qing Dynasty, and rice noodle soup made by “Earthworm,” the nickname of the owner behind the wok?
The Tsai Family Crystal Dumplings were established in the 10th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1884), and are a famous century-old delicacy in Changhua. There are now two branches, both opened by the Tsai brothers: Tsai Zeji Crystal Dumplings and Tsai Hanbin Crystal Dumplings. The flavors are quite similar, and each has its own loyal fans. Handmade crystal dumplings, flat wontons, steamed meatballs, and water meatballs all have their unique appeal and are definitely worth trying. Among them, the flat wontons use thinly pounded pork as the skin, offering an impressively chewy and bouncy texture. The water meatballs, mixed with water chestnuts, are crisp, fresh, and sweet. The crystal dumplings are elastic thanks to a mix of sweet potato starch and a proper amount of rice flour, and the filling uses high-quality pork loin—the secret to their deliciousness.
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Crystal dumplings that have been sold since the Qing Dynasty? You’d be missing out if you don’t try these in Lukang!(Photo provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
The Earthworm Longshan Rice Noodle Soup gets its quirky name from the owner’s nickname. Using a nickname as the shop name adds charm and signals authentic taste and quality. Lukang’s rice noodle soup is famous far and wide, and there are many great versions—but here, the soup doesn’t contain oysters or intestines. Instead, it features pork meatballs made from black pork hind leg meat, marinated with Chinese herbs and spices. The handmade noodles are silky smooth, and the selected pork meatballs are flavorful and chewy—a truly memorable taste.
[Info]
Tsai Zeji Crystal Dumplings
Address: Stall 6, No. 1 Market, Minzu Rd., Lukang Town
Phone: 04-774-5496
Tsai Hanbin Crystal Dumplings
Address: No. 189, Minzu Rd., Lukang Town
Phone: 04-777-6230, 0934-252-761
Earthworm Longshan Rice Noodle Soup
Address: No. 109, Minzu Rd., Lukang Town
Phone: 04-778-2999
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Rice noodle soup with special handmade pork meatballs is the proud specialty of “Boss Earthworm.”(Photo provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
2:30 PM / Lukang Dragon Boat Festival Street Parade
The Lukang Dragon Boat Festival is a major annual event. Tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 PM, the festivities will kick off at the intersection of Zhongshan Rd. and Sanmin Rd., with the parade route extending from Sanmin Rd. to Qinmin Rd. The parade will feature local folk performance troupes, community groups, and student teams, coming together for a festive street carnival. The parade includes: the Taimingjiang Drum Corps, Glass Boat, Sightseeing Train, Taiwan College of Performing Arts Variety Troupe, Yagou Community Horse Cloth Troupe, Fanshe Community Twelve Fairy Aunties Troupe, Jiadong Community Hakka Performance Troupe, Fangyuan Junior High Dragon Dance Team, Shigu Community Ox Plow Troupe, Daye University Traditional Japanese Dance, Yongshun Temple Cart Drum Troupe, Xiu Yuan Folk Culture Association’s Electric-powered San Tai Zi, Lion Dance Troupe, Deity Troupe, and Xishi Community Broom Blessing Troupe, showcasing Lukang’s rich Dragon Boat Festival folk culture and the vitality of its traditional performance arts.
[Info]
Venue: Zhongshan Road & Sanmin Road Intersection
16:00 / Food Street in front of Tianhou Temple
After joining the street parade, it’s time to indulge in local delicacies. Tourists visiting Lukang will definitely stop by Tianhou Temple. The area around the intersection of Zhongshan Road and Minsheng Road, centered on the temple, offers many affordable yet delicious snacks, featuring fresh oysters, shrimp babies, and other seafood as main offerings. There are also numerous traditional pastry shops that draw crowds every holiday — a must-visit spot to sample local specialties.
[Info]
Address: Around the intersection of Zhongshan Road and Minsheng Road, Lukang Town
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There are tons of food stalls in front of Tianhou Temple — spend two hours eating and strolling, and you’re guaranteed to be more than satisfied. (Photo provided by Magnum Editing Team)
18:00 / Osmanthus Lane Humanities Tea House
Before heading home after sampling local snacks, it’s recommended to stop by Osmanthus Lane Humanities Tea House for a refreshing and sweet osmanthus plum soup, putting a satisfying end to your day. This tea house blends retro and modern elements, with the fragrance of osmanthus wafting through the air. In its minimalist and clean space, enjoy a cup of osmanthus plum soup, brewed the traditional way — an experience truly worth savoring.
In one corner of the tea house, you can also find hand-painted artworks commissioned by the owner from a forward-thinking artist in Taichung. The black-and-white intricate designs are playful and interesting, while the exterior wall features his modern take on door gods — Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Spider-Man — a popular photo spot for visitors.
● Read more: Recommended Half-Day Slow Living Itinerary in Taichung: Fengjia & Qiuhong Valley
http://goo.gl/nNR3l
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Before going home, enjoy a cup of traditional osmanthus plum soup and let this classic beverage mark a satisfying end to your day’s journey. (Photo provided by Magnum Editing Team)