Take a half-day trip to Beimen – Explore the Salt Belt and Visit the Former Home of a "Mystical Painter"
▲ Besides Jingzijiao Tile-Pan Salt Field and the Crystal Cathedral, what other attractions are there in the Yunlin–Chiayi–Tainan Beimen area? (Photo / Provided by Tourism Bureau)
Reported by Cai Wenjun / Taipei
Aside from Jingzijiao Salt Field and the Crystal Cathedral that went viral last year, what else is there to do in the Beimen area? Starting today, the South-Eastern Coastal National Scenic Area Administration Office offers free guided “Salt Belt Half-Day Strolls” every day. These walking tours take you deep into the Beimen region to uncover the human stories hidden within the ruins of the oldest tile-pan salt fields and discover more of Beimen’s hidden beauty.
Cai Yiling from the South-Eastern Coastal Administration Office said the “Salt Belt Half-Day Stroll” will take visitors deep into the Beimen area, with the first stop being the former home of Hong Tong, a renowned Taiwanese folk artist. Hong Tong was famous for his mysterious text-based paintings and vibrant use of color. The year he rose to fame happened to be the same year Picasso passed away (1973), and since both artists worked in abstraction, Hong Tong was also hailed as the “Picasso of the East.”
%The unique style of his paintings is hard to describe in words, but they carry a somewhat rustic charm, often referred to as “childlike innocence.” (Image / Provided by the South-East Coastal National Scenic Area Administration Office)
Legend has it that Hong Tong once said his distinctive painting style was due to feeling as though someone was guiding him while he painted, which earned him the nickname “the Mystical Painter.” To allow visitors to experience his unique artistic style up close, the South-Eastern Coastal Administration Office has even created five of his past artworks on colorful walls around his former home, immersing visitors in Hong Tong’s imaginative world. See if you can grasp the meanings behind his paintings.
Next, the tour continues to Beimen Church, passing by Beimen Branch Office, Qianlaiye Grocery Store, and finally arriving at the Beimen Visitor Center. The “Beimen Branch Office” was once the salt tax office during the Japanese colonial period and an early office of Taiwan Salt. After restoration by the South-Eastern Coastal Administration Office, its Japanese-style architectural exterior has been preserved and is now open to the public for free. It also sells some cultural and creative souvenirs. The retro-styled “Qianlaiye Grocery Store” was formerly the staff welfare shop for Taiwan Salt employees. Its most distinctive feature is the exterior walls decorated with oyster and clam shells, adding new vibrancy to the old historic structure with its diverse patterns.
▲ %The restored Japanese-style building of the Beimen Branch Office is one of the highlights of the cultural tour in Beimen. (Image / Strong)
Cai Yiling said the entire Salt Belt cultural journey takes about two to two and a half hours. The public can make reservations viathe South-Eastern Coastal Scenic Area official websiteto book a free guided tour. However, whether you’re an individual or part of a group, please note that previously some group tours had to cut the tour short due to tight schedules. To maintain quality, those who book a guided tour must be certain they can join for the entire session; otherwise, their booking will not be accepted.
South-Eastern Coastal “Salt Belt Half-Day Stroll”
Free Guided Tour Times:Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Timed guided tours available, with morning sessions at 10:00 AM and afternoon sessions at 2:00 PM
General Public Booking:Visit theSouth-Eastern Coastal Scenic Area Administration Office website to bookto proceed
Group Booking Method:Groups must consist of 10 or more people and must apply online 3 days to 1 month prior to the visit date.
Share
This article is published by HowToTrip. Sharing and reposting are welcome — please credit the source.
Article URL: https://www.howtotrip.net/views-14120
Related Articles
- Shaoxing's "Grandpa Gourd" hangs the gourds back up: "If there are too many people, we'll interact less — just take a quick look from afar"
- Chinese authorities announce "reciprocal adjustment" to Japan visa fees — single-entry visa jumps from 2,250 to 16,750 yen!
- The "health stones" carried by a traveler were found to have radiation levels exceeding safety limits by a thousand times, potentially endangering fellow passengers on the same flight. Customs issues warning!
- Shenzhen Airport Issues Late-Night Notice: Unidentified Aerial Object Detected, Causing Widespread Flight Delays!
- “They only said it cost money after I opened the box and washed it!” 200g of grapes sold for 60 yuan on a high-speed train—12306 responds!
- Can't buy an airline ticket? Denied exit? Blocked from boarding? A large number of Chinese tourists have mysteriously become "discredited individuals"
- Adverse weather and economic fluctuations impact Colombia's coffee market
- Beach bathing area responds to 2 yuan/30 seconds fee for freshwater foot rinsing: Clearly priced!
- Taking off with an improperly closed cabin door? Wing malfunction? Multiple flights made emergency returns mid-journey!
- Experience the gifts of nature！ A countdown of the world’s ten most stunning coastlines