Explore Shuangxi’s Coal Mining History with a Miner’s Hat on a Night Tour of the Cat Village

Article by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, compiled and reported by Chen Guanxin

The image of Shuangxi’s Cat Village is deeply etched in the minds of modern youth, but first-time visitors to Shuangxi can hardly miss the huge slogan “Produce Coal to Enrich the Nation” behind the cats. In its early days, Shuangxi was renowned across Taiwan for its mining output. On the evening of August 25th, the lights-out night tour will not only feature DIY activities at community craft stalls in the Coal Mine Museum Park during the day, but also allow visitors to don miner’s hats and stroll through Shuangxi with dim headlamps at night to learn about the cat village’s mining history. The entire event is free to participate in.

This year marks the fourth edition of the Shuangxi Lights-Out Night Tour. Through community-guided tours, visitors can explore Shuangxi’s historical path and unique landscapes, and experience the area’s diversity. Starting at 10:00 AM on August 25th, craft stalls including DIY lanterns and miner’s headlamps will be set up in front of the Vision Hall at the Shuangxi Coal Mine Museum Park. Additional activities include theater performances, community guided tours, and a stamp-collecting lottery. In the evening, participants will wear miner’s hats to stroll through Shuangxi, experiencing the thrill of the lights-out night tour, and enjoy a traditional dinner that brings back the flavors of an era of material scarcity.

In the past, Shuangxi was known for its mining output, and the settlement flourished and declined accordingly. Although mining has now stopped, well-preserved mining relics remain, offering a glimpse into the memories of miners who once dug and transported coal in narrow, pitch-dark tunnels just 75 cm high. Starting from the end of 2009, the lights-out night tour connected three neighborhoods in Shuangxi. Through spontaneous planning and execution by local residents, more people have been able to deeply experience the local culture of Shuangxi through the dim glow of miner’s hats in the darkness.

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