Written/Compiled and Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network
When traveling in Taichung, beyond the Fengjia Night Market, the Qiji Department Store District, and the mountain scenery of Xinshe, six distinctive local communities — Dajia, Da’an, Shige, Heping, Waipu, and South District — have each planned six in-depth cultural tours, allowing visitors to discover a more diverse side of Taichung. The itineraries include activities such as rural earthen oven experiences, searching for Da’an’s water hyacinth leaf, exploring the Dongfeng Green Corridor, foraging and cooking with ingredients from the Daxue Mountain area, visiting farmer’s markets, and touring the Taichung Cultural and Creative Industries Park. From August 11 to October 20, there will be 10 sessions in total, each limited to 40 participants, available as either one-day or two-day-one-night trips. Registration is now open, with prices ranging from NT$200 to NT$1,700.
In addition to the Zhenlan Temple, visitors to Dajia District can also join in-depth community tours to experience the coastal rural scenery. (Image provided by David Chen)
The six routes include Dajia—Exploring Farming and Fishing Fun, Da’an—Leisurely Scenic Countryside, Shige—Urban-Rural Joint Exploration, Heping—Natural Ecology Adventure in Daxue Mountain, Waipu—Discovering the Beauty of Hujiao Village, and South District—Joyful City God Temple Tour. Among them, the Da’an countryside experience will be led by local experts in sweet potatoes, carvings, calligraphy, and master chefs, introducing traditional local industries and guiding DIY activities like green onion crafts; the Shige urban-rural tour not only allows visitors to cycle and enjoy the scenic views along the Dongfeng Green Corridor but also includes a visit to the Tuniu Hakka Cultural Museum, which was rebuilt on-site to resemble its original appearance after the 921 earthquake.
The “Cultural and Creative Industries Park,” officially opened in 2009, is one of Taiwan’s five major creative cultural parks and the best-preserved among the existing five former distilleries. (Image provided by MOOK Editorial Department)
In the well-known coastal Dajia District, apart from the widely famed Zhenlan Temple, visitors will also use local ingredients — such as rice milk made from glutinous rice, dried radish slices sun-dried under the sun, and the wind-resistant hibiscus tiliaceus leaves — to make a unique coastal snack called Taro Delicacies|Jun: (a traditional treat). They’ll also get to experience making rice crackers, tasting fresh produce, and exploring the rich cultural heritage of the coastal area, including historic brick kilns with over a century of history. For more information, visit www.traveltaichung.com.tw.
● Extended Reading: Free Rides on the Taichung Ocean Sightseeing Bus to Explore the Coastal Route
http://goo.gl/EzScC