North District Lightspot Daxi “Yuangu Benpu”: Admire the Old Architecture and Try “Gali Galuo”

▲ Preserving traditional architecture to share the wisdom and lifestyle aesthetics of our ancestors with more people (Intern Reporter Lin Weiping / Photo)

Intern Reporter Lin Weiping / Daxi Report

On the 18th, the “North District International Lightspot Project,” jointly launched by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Taiwan Good Foundation, added a new location.Yuangu Benpu in Daxi, TaoyuanThis marks the fourth lightspot in the North District that combines creative neighborhood living with a vivid showcase of Chinese cultural essence, following Taipei Zhongshan’s “Taiwan Good, Shop,” Xizhi’s “Shi Yang Shan Fang,” and Muzha’s “U-Theatre.”

▲ Chairman of the Taiwan Good Foundation, Kuo Wen-chang, delivering a speech at the opening of Daxi Traveler’s Space. (Intern Reporter Lin Weiping / Photo)

Kuo Wen-chang, Chairman of the Taiwan Good Foundation, stated, “The goodness of Taiwan begins in the countryside.” The fourth stop of the North District International Lightspots, “Daxi. Please Sit: Traveler’s Space,” has officially opened in the 180-year-old historic building “Yuangu Benpu.” Originally the well-known Guyufa Cake Shop in Daxi, it is fondly remembered by the older generation, and its unique snack“Gali Galuo”has thus become a shared delicious memory along Daxi Old Street.

▲ Traditional Daxi snack Gali Galuo, made with flour, salt, sugar, and other ingredients. (Intern Reporter Lin Weiping / Photo)

▲ From left to right: Tien Wei, Director of Taoyuan County Cultural Affairs Bureau; Kuo Wen-chang; Huang Rui-zhen, head of Pinxiang Shishu; Mr. Gu Gan-gui; and Zheng Ying-hui, Deputy Director of the International Division of the Tourism Bureau, jointly tasting Gali Galuo. (Intern Reporter Lin Weiping / Photo)

With the changes of time, Daxi’s economy declined, and Guyufa Cake Shop had to cease operations. However, Gu Gan-gui, the fourth-generation descendant, holds deep affection for the old house where he grew up, and thus strived to preserve it. He also offered the historic building as a public asset, allowing all who wish to understand Taiwanese culture the opportunity to witness the wisdom and lifestyle aesthetics of their ancestors.

Beyond the life of traditional architecture, Gu Zheng-jun, the fifth-generation descendant of Yuangu Benpu, believes that food is the essence of Taiwanese culture, and to bring vitality to the building, the two must be combined. Therefore, she invited Huang Rui-zhen, head of the well-known Daxi “Pinxiang Shishu,” to collaborate, integrating creative dishes featuring Daxi’s signature dried tofu, offering travelers a rich experience of Daxi culture.

▲ Ms. Gu Zheng-jun, fifth-generation descendant of Yuangu Benpu, sharing the history and culture of the old house. (Intern Reporter Lin Weiping / Photo)

　“Please Sit: Traveler’s Space” is now open. From Tuesday to Friday, between noon and 6 PM, it welcomes travelers to rest. In the future, a series of cultural activities and guided experiences will be planned, allowing visitors to deeply appreciate the beauty of Daxi and the goodness of Taiwan. Be sure to make a reservation in advance.

Traveler’s Space / Tea Ceremony Experience, Creative Dried Tofu Dishes
Address: No. 48 & 48-1, Heping Road, Daxi District, Taoyuan City
Phone: 03-3887385
Business Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 12:00–18:00
Transportation: Exit at Daxi Interchange on National Freeway No. 1 (Beixin Expressway) → Provincial Highway No. 3 (Yuanlin Road) → Wuling Bridge → Cikang Road Bridge → Turn right onto Heping Road and go straight for about 2 minutes to arrive