"One Museum, Two Kilns, Three Heritage Industries" – The Oil Refining Process at the "Miaoli Specialty Pavilion" Captivates Visitors

▲ Renamed from Gongyuan Image Park to the "Miaoli Specialty Pavilion" to promote local traditional industries. (Photo / Provided by Miaoli County Government International Cultural and Tourism Bureau)

Travel Center / Taipei Report

The former Gongyuan Image Park was redesigned by Miaoli County Government and renamed the "Miaoli Specialty Pavilion," officially opening on June 8 this year to promote local traditional industries. In addition to the existing Ceramics Museum, the specialty pavilion has added exhibition areas for citronella oil, camphor oil, bitter tea oil, and charcoal kilns, with the camphor oil refining process being fully displayed for visitors.

The "Miaoli Specialty Pavilion" was originally a military base of the Army’s Gongyuan Camp under the Ministry of National Defense. In 2003, the county government applied for its allocation to build the Miaoli County Tourist Service Image Park. This year, it has been reorganized and planned with a focus on promoting and developing local specialty industries, aiming to revitalize the park, enhance the value of traditional industries, and was renamed the "Miaoli Specialty Pavilion."

The Miaoli Specialty Pavilion is divided into three sections under the concept of "One Museum, Two Kilns, Three Heritage Industries." "One Museum" refers to the Miaoli Ceramics Museum, a vast space covering thousands of square feet that houses nearly a thousand ceramic artworks, showcasing nearly a century of Miaoli’s ceramic heritage. From traditional kiln works to contemporary pieces by ceramic artists, the exhibits rotate regularly.

Miaoli County is a hub for Taiwan’s ceramic industry, producing many talents and once thriving in decorative arts ceramics. "Two Kilns" refers to the two ancient kilns preserved in the specialty pavilion—the Miaoli Kiln and the Charcoal Kiln—which maintain the most authentic ceramic culture. "Three Heritage Industries" include citronella oil, camphor oil, and bitter tea oil. The pavilion also demonstrates the refining processes on-site, attracting visitors to stop and watch.

Miaoli County Magistrate Liu Cheng-hung stated that an outdoor cultural and art plaza will be added in the future to make the Miaoli Specialty Pavilion even more diverse and enriching. The park is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and those wishing to experience the characteristics and charm of early traditional industries should not miss it.

%The exhibition at the Miaoli Specialty Pavilion vividly showcases local characteristics. (Photo / Provided by Miaoli County Government International Cultural and Tourism Bureau)