We spent our whole childhood playing in the water here—Jimisua’s laundry shed holds cherished memories of splashing around for the locals.

▲ The laundry shed next to the Jimisua North Shrine serves as a natural swimming pool for local children. (Photo provided by Jimisua Workshop, the same below.)

Reporter Chen Hanyin / Comprehensive report

Kids who grew up in the countryside all have fond memories of playing in the water during their childhood. Located next to the Jimisua North Shrine in Donghe Village, Tainan, the laundry shed has a long history of seventy years. Every scorching summer, women chat and wash clothes while children frolic and splash around—it’s not only an everyday sight but also one of the traditional cultural activities of the local Siraya people of the Pingpu tribe. This old-school laundry culture also attracts many tourists from across Taiwan every year.

▲ The shallow irrigation channel lets kids have endless fun.

▲ Washing clothes in the irrigation channel is a traditional habit of the local Siraya people of the Pingpu tribe.

▲ The vintage laundry shed offers a rustic scene rarely seen in the city.

The laundry shed at Jimisua North Shrine draws its water from the Chianan Irrigation System and is the most natural and refreshing spot for local children to cool off in the summer. In 2014, the Water Resources Agency once banned washing clothes near the traditional irrigation channels for safety reasons, which stirred strong opposition from local residents. After coordination, the agency decided to respect the local culture and installed warning signs advising the public to stay safe. With clean, cool water and free access, visitors to Jimisua are encouraged to take a dip at the laundry shed and experience the simple, joyful memories of water play cherished by the Siraya locals.

Laundry Shed Next to Jimisua North Shrine

Cost: Free
Transportation Info:
1. Exit at Zhongshan Expressway’s Xinying Interchange → Turn left toward Xinying and connect to Changrong Road → Turn right onto Provincial Highway 1 → Turn left onto Dongshan Road → Follow signs to Tianwei and turn right; about a 10-minute drive to Donghe (Jimisua).

2. Exit at South Second Expressway’s Baihe Interchange → Head toward Baihe → Then head toward Dongshan (County Highway 165) → Then head toward Liuying (County Highway 165) → Go straight to reach Donghe (Jimisua).