.jpg)
Overview of the Walking Festival
The Walking Festival will be hosted immediately after the conference. There will be walking tours on several characteristic trails and festivities in local communities along the way. The main hiking routes will be along the three long-distance trails that Taiwan has been dedicated to complete in recent years:
The main hiking tours of the festival will be on the Tamsui-Kavalan National Greenway located in northern Taiwan. The hike will be along two paths: one starts from the Houtong Cat Village next to the railway and the other starts from Nuannuan District in Keelung, the most northern city in Taiwan. The walks will include local festivities and a meetup at Fulong Township (on the Caoling Historic Trail) where participants will overlook a magnificent vista of the Pacific Ocean.
In addition to the main “Tamsui-Kavalan” hike, there will be the 3-day exquisite “Mountains to Sea National Greenway, Taiwan (MSTW)” tour and the "Raknus Selu Trail” tour. The Mountains to Sea National Greenway has origins in the native Taiwanese Tsou culture and is located in southern Taiwan spanning from the coast to Yushan, the highest peak in East Asia. The “Raknus Selu Trail”, Taiwan’s first trail to form an official international trail friendship, is rich with local culture and Hakka cuisine. We will be engaging in extensive discussions and exchanges of “eco-craft trail” techniques and knowledge on these tours.
Tamsui-Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails
In northeastern Taiwan, mountain ridges span all the way towards the sea posing as a natural barrier between the Taipei Basin to the west and the Yilan Plain to the east on the Pacific Coast. These verdant and lush mountains set the backdrop for the long history of the Tamsui-Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails.
In the 18th century, the Tamsui-Kavalan Historical Trail was a mountain road created by the government, connecting northern Taiwan (known as Tamsui Subprefecture at the time) and eastern Taiwan (Kavalan Subprefecture). The Tamsui-Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails of today is a broader reference to a dense network of roads created over the past hundreds of years. The trails were left behind by pioneers traversing the mountains, the military, missionaries, gold miners, tea merchants and explorers.
The total length of the trail network is about 270 kilometers. It spreads across lands currently under the administration of New Taipei, Yilan, Keelung, and Taipei. This is the region with the highest level of rainfall in Taiwan. The ancient paths twist and turn with the mountains and rivers, connecting small mountain villages, mines, military post stations, and storing past memories of northern Taiwan. They may lead travelers into a rain forest at one moment and then leap high into the ridge lines bordering the sea, offering a magnificent view of the navy-blue Pacific Ocean as far as one can see.
Let us embark on a hike along the Tamsui-Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails, picking up bits and pieces of history as we go. As we count the old houses and stone bridges, we might come across a few grazing wild buffaloes and the coupled dipteris, a relict from the Ice Age, and reminisce the old tales of the ocean and this land.
1.Tamsui-Kavalan Classics - Ancient Stone Tablets, Old Streets and More
Houtong Cat Village
This tranquil mountain village was originally named Houdong (the Monkey Cave). Some say it was due to a mountain cave nearby that housed a group of monkeys. In the early 20th century, Houtong became a major coal town in Taiwan. It was the largest coal mining zone producing the best quality of coal at the time. In 1920, the town built a train station, the most advanced coal preparation plant at the time, and a giant arch bridge for coal transportation. Next to the train station, halfway up a hill, was the settlement were thousands lived. The decline of the coal industry slowly reduced the population of Houtong. It became a simple railway town with freely roaming cats. In recent years, this town shared by cats and people has become a hot spot for international tourists.
Jinzibei Historical Trail (Golden Letters Tablet Historical Trail)
Jinzibei Historical Trail is the only remaining part out of the three segments of the Tamsui-Kavalan government official trail system from the Qing Dynasty. It was the road for traveling and patrolling by high-ranking military officers in the Qing Dynasty and for religious and medical missions into Yilan by Pastor George Leslie Mackay. The trail starts from Houtong and is paved with stone steps and stone slabs. It was initially a broad trail of 1.8 meters wide and paved with layers of sandstone. Parts of the old stone steps on the trail that have yet to be renovated are now covered with green moss. The golden letters tablet stands at the top of a series of stairs and its unique frame and face are carved into the mountain walls. These poetic words in ancient seal script were written by Chief Commander Liu Ming-deng when he traveled through this area in 1867 and was in awe of the extraordinary dangerous terrain. The letters were then carved onto the tablet and covered with gold foil.
The Town of Shuangxi
Shuangxi was once the most important relay point along the Tamsui-Kavalan Northern Trails. Mudan River and Pinglin River are joined here before continuing towards the Pacific Ocean. In the age before highways, boatmen, merchants, and travelers mainly gathered at the busy Shuangxi ferry pier for commerce and supplies. Travelers to and from the Kavalan Subprefecture often spent the night here as well. The bustling activities created a prosperous little town back in the day. Shuangxi used to have restaurants, a theater, and hotels. It was a part of the unique lifestyle of miners in the surrounding areas. The old theater location still remains in the town today, and gorgeous faux Baroque houses that were typical during the Japanese rule still stand on the old streets next to the ferry pier. Today, you can still visit the town’s famous old pastry shop, its traditional blacksmith shop, and the 130-year-old Chinese medicine store.
Caoling Historical Trail
The Caoling Historical Trail is the most famous trail among the Tamsui-Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails. Every year at the end of autumn, silver grass covers the hills and the valleys, undulating like silver and white waves in the forceful sea winds and attracting the arrival of numerous tourists. The Caoling Historical Trail is one of the oldest trails into the Kavalan region since the Qing Dynasty. Monuments on the trail such as the Xiongzhenmanyan Tablet and the Tiger Tablet carry the trail’s history of over hundreds of years. Yakou Observatory Deck, the highest point on the trail, is situated on a ridge right next to the Pacific Ocean. To the east, the magnificent ocean offers an endless horizon and the active volcano Turtle Island extends out of the sea. To the north, Bitoujiiao of the northern coast sits in the distance. The steep grass slopes and old terrace fields around the trail are where wild buffaloes often roam and graze.
2. A Railway Valley Trail in a Mystic Realm
The Starting Point of the Tam-Lan Historical Trail - Nuannuan District
Nuannuan District is situated in the middle section of the Keelung River. It was the ending point of the river canal in the early days and the starting point of the Tamsui-Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails. People in the old days navigate ships upstream on Tamsui River, change into small boats at Shuifanjiao (today’s Xizhi District), and then trade for goods at Nuannuan. Residents of settlements nearby would travel by land to Nuannuan, carrying tea, lumber, dyes, and other goods for sale. Nuannuan became an important commercial base in northern Taiwan at one point. The local Ande Temple was built in 1801 and has a longer history than most of the temples inside Keelung City. The arrival of railways and the silting of the Keelung River slowly diminished Nuannuan’s importance. The old wooden train station was torn down in 1994 and replaced by a railway stop. Walk out of Nuannuan station and you will see nearby, under the Nuanjiang Bridge, the largest number of giant's kettles in Taiwan. It is a great place to view the characteristic Keelung giant's kettle scenery.
Nuandong Historical Trail
The Nuandong Historical Trail is an ancient trail connecting Nuannuan District to Shifen Township. The trail starts from Nuandong Valley. The peaceful path goes upstream along the river banks in the cool valley and crosses the mountains to head towards Lanyang Plain, passing by single-plank bridges and waterfalls. There are small dolmen-shaped stone temples of Tudigong (the God of Local Land) on the trail that are built with three stone slabs. These Pak-kung-miao (Hakka for Tudigong Temple, also known as Sanlishi Tudigong Temple, literally “three stones Tudigong”), are in its most original form and are witness to the long history of the Nuandong Historical Trail. The Lingtou Fude Temple at the highest point of the trail also has a history of over two centuries. The words on the donated ancient tablet to its side have now become blurry beyond recognition.
Taiwan Coal Mine Museum Park
The Taiwan Coal Mine Museum, located in Shifen Township, is the starting point of Taiwan’s coal mining history. In the beginning of the Japanese rule period (around 1910), the Tai-Yiang Mining business owned by the prominent Yan Family of Keelung started to invest in coal mines in Pingxi. The company also opened a mine railway exclusively for shipping coal, which is also the original Pingxi Line of the Taiwan Railways Administration. The New Pinxi Coal Mining Company was a subsidiary of Tai Yiang Mining Inc since the beginning of local coal mining. After the mining activities stopped, the mines were repurposed into a museum. The museum park area has an exhibition hall modified from a previous electric car repairs workshop, fake mining tunnels, and the tiny yellow train, a visitor’s favorite that is nicknamed “The little one-eyed monk”. The train is Taiwan’s first electrical coal shipping train. It is now renovated into a tourist train and continues to run inside the park area.
Paoma Historic Trail
The trail is located on the border between Pinglin District of New Taipei City and Toucheng Town and Jiaoxi Township in Yilan County, beginning from Shipai, the highest point of Beiyi Highway (around the 59km mark), running down the Houdongkengxi River Valley to the Wuqifeng Scenic Area. The total distance is about 6.7km. It can be divided into three sections: from the north end of the ancient trail (Shipai) to Shangxin Garden, about 2km; from Shangxin Garden to the north end of the ancient trail, about 3.1km, the best and most popular section; and from the south end of the ancient trail to Wufeng Road, about 1.6km. Skids and skidways in perfect condition can be seen along the trail. From the trail, the entire Jiaoxi Township and the Beiyi Highway meandering through the fields can be seen clearly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raknus Selu Trail
For more than 300 years, this web of small trails spreading across foothills of northwestern Taiwan has been used for a variety of purposes. It was used by migrating and hunting natives, by Han immigrants and pioneers, and by doctors and missionaries from the west. It was also used for conflicts between different ethnicities and for the delivery of goods from the mountains (such as camphor and tea) to be sold around the world.
The name “Raknus Selu” is a combination of “Raknus”, meaning “a camphor tree” in an indigenous language, and “Selu”, which is “a small path” pronounced in Hakka. This trail connects old settlements, telling the story of the ethnic people who lived along this path and the industrial changes throughout the ages. It is a witness to the struggles of a society in developing new territories and preserving the environment.
The Raknus Selu Trail spans across four main administrative regions: Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, and Taichung. It has a 220 km main route and a 160 km secondary route, and is a network of mountain trails, agricultural roads, industrial roads, and highways. The trail is a guide to a complicated history and inspires us to reflect on the relationship between man and nature. It is a national greenway that transformed ethnic divide into mutual understanding, inclusiveness, collaboration, and harmony.
1.The Major Mountain Road of an International Trade Route
Shiguan Historic Trail
The reclamation and development of Shigangzi can be traced to the Qianlong and Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty over two hundred years ago, when Wei Agui, the chief of the indigenous Pocaal people, led tenant Hakka farmers into the area to settle and plant rice crops in the river valley plain. Later on, the hilly land was developed to grow tea, citrus and camphor trees for camphor production. It was an important historic trail used to transport agricultural products from Shigangzi to Longtan for nearly two hundred years. Only after the construction of modern roads a few decades ago, the old trail gradually fell into decline and obsolescence.
Guanxi
Guanxi Township has been an area of abundant resources and rich basin lands since ancient times. Mesona is the town's most famous produce, and the town supplies 80% of the total production in Taiwan. The town still holds well-preserved old streets, traditional houses, Japanese dormitories, old bridges, Catholic churches, and other historic buildings. Numerous creative shops have currently moved into the old street, such as: a second-hand bookstore, a hostel, handicraft shops, and cafés. The streets have become a growing base for creative arts in the small town of Guanxi.
Dunan Historic Trail
Shangnanpian, across the river from Guanxi Township, has gradually developed into a large settlement for the Lo Family since they arrived here over two centuries ago. The early settlers used canals and water wheels for irrigation, and made Shangnanpian a major source for grains in Guanxi. This historic trail that connects Guanxi Duchuantou and Shangnanpian is a main road for local traffic, access to the village, and delivery of goods. Volunteers started the trail restoration process in 2018; it is the first historic trail on Raknus Selu that was completely restored and eco-crafted by volunteers.
Lo Wu House
Lo Wu House is a hundred-year-old sanheyuan (a three-section residential compound) and was built by the Lo Family of Shangnanpian to be used as a private school. After its restoration, it is now registered as a historic building. The location has been revived as a creative arts venue and guest house by descendants of the Lo Family and the community. The style of Lo Wu House is characterized by traditional Hakka art such as clay sculptures, jiantie (a traditional mosaic pattern created with fragmented ceramic pieces), stone sculptures, wood sculptures, and colored paintings. One other fascinating aspect of the house is its enormous collection of artistic decorations with Chinese characters.
2.The Mountain Ridge Trail with a History Connected to Diverse Ethnicities
Mingfeng Historic Trail
Mingfeng Historic Trail, the connecting path between Lo Wu House and Shitan Township, was originally a hunting trail for the natives. After the Han people arrived and cultivated the land, they marked paths as “aiyongxian” (defense lines of frontier guards against the natives). The historic trail slowly became an important road for daily traffic and the delivery of goods. Farmers continued to travel on the road carrying poles on their shoulders until the 70s. The rich resources of the ecosystem surrounding the trail is an optimal location for learning about nature. The Raknus Selu Trail and the Jeju Olle Trail in Korea became friendship trails in 2019. A direction marker for the Jeju Olle Trail was installed at an entrance to the Mingfeng Historic Trail. There are ongoing visits and exchanges for the continuous development of this international trail friendship.
Shitan Old Street
The Provincial Highway 3 crosses Shitan Township which is located in a long and narrow valley. The populated Shitan Old Street starts from the religious center - the Yimin Temple. The buildings on the street still retain a traditional residential style. Restaurants passed down for generations are well-worth a visit to try the delicious Hakka specialties that they serve, such as: veggie buns, zongzi, savory Hakka rice pudding, and mesona desserts.
Remembering Dr. George Leslie Mackay
Dr. George Leslie Mackay arrived in Taiwan in the 19th century and by chance arrived at Shitan area. He subsequently visited the area more than 10 ten times for his medical practice and missionary efforts. He would extract teeth for locals under a longan tree, which still stands tall after a hundred years and became a place to commemorate the doctor’s contribution to Shitan. At the time, the locals voluntarily built a wooden church and hired a pastor. After renovations and a relocation, the church has become the current Shitan Presbyterian Church.
3.The road of reclamation that witnessed the change in the mountain and forest industry
Chuguan Historic Trail – Shifendong Section
Chuguan Historic Trail was a key road traversed by early residents from Chuhuangkeng to Guandaoshan. Shifendong is a hilly area along the route where camphor was refined. This is the junction point where many of the ancient roads around the area meet, and the tea pavilion (Chating) becomes a rest stop, a collection point, and an information exchange center. The route is located between 600 and 800 meters above sea level in the clouds, and it is cool and comfortable to travel through the bamboo and dense forest.
Jiangmayuan
The Jiangmayuan area, located at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level, has long-grown ginger as the main crop. In recent years, through the cooperation of industry, government and academia, ginger has been incorporated into various food and processed products, turning Jiangmayuan into an attractive and distinct agricultural zone. With splendid sceneries throughout the four seasons, special accommodations, flower and fruit picking experiences, and other rural tours enrich the body and mind apart from the enjoyment of hiking. The four-story observation deck on the mountain ridge offers a magnificent vista of the surrounding mountains.
Bo Gong Bian Road
The Hakka people generally call the earth god "Bo Gong" and build a small temple (Fude Temple) near their homes to protect safety on the road, good harvest and prosperity of livestock. There are 34 Bo Gong temples of different forms in the Dahu area, demonstrating the richness of local humanities and history. Along the route, you can visit artworks of the local Art Festival, and two canals used for irrigation and water diversion in the early days, reflecting the history of the Hakka and the indigenous people from conflict to coexistence.
Mountains to Sea Greenway
From sea level to the highest peak in Northeast Asia, this is a 177-kilometer-long pilgrimage path in Taiwan that reaches an altitude of 3,952 meters. You can traces its origins going from the sea to the mountains, and can also learn how the trickle of water converges into the vast ocean following the path from the mountains to the sea.
This is also the path that is intertwined with life of the common people of Taiwan. On the "Inner Sea Trail", one can see residents take a stroll on the bicycle path. On the “Irrigation System Trail”, witness how the Jianan Irrigation System, an important water conservancy project in Southern Taiwan) gave birth to an island. On the “Native Land Trail”, follow the steps of the Tsou people and rediscover the harmony and peace of living amongst nature. Finally, on the “Sacred Mountain Trail”, climb to the top of Yushan just as thousands and thousands of other climbers and reflect on the path taken.
Visitors can experience the true essence of the land on the MSTW. It is a rich source of culture, history, geography, and ecology worthy of further appreciation and exploration.
1. Sacred Mountain Trail
Tefuye Historical Trail
The trail was originally established by the Tsou people as a hunting trail in the early days, and the latter part of the trail was converted into the "Shanshui Line" railway for transporting lumber during the Japanese rule period. Traces of many of the infrastructures still remain there today. Start from the south side of the trail and you will climb a steep stairway of sleepers. The latter part is smoother, with willow and fir planted along the way. The changing scenery and abundance of flora and fauna on the trail makes it an optimal site for bird-watching and recharging yourself in nature.
Linzhi Mountain
Enter through the Lulin Mountain trailhead and ascend with each step along the trail. Take a stroll on the carpet of pine needles with the lush epiphytes on the large hemlock trees by your side, and gradually climb up Linzhi Mountain. Whether it’s sunrise, a sea of clouds, sunset, or the night sky, even in quiet idle moments, your heart is full looking out at the spectacular scenery on the Yushan ridge line.
2. Native Land Trail
Tracing the upper reaches of the Zengwen River, and you will arrive at the distinctive Tsou tribes in Alishan Township. There pavilion culture is one that shares its joys of life. There is the Danayi Valley known for its serenity, the Lijia tribe which was the first to advocate for fish conservation in the streams, and the Dabang and Tefuno tribes, of which legends say were created by the Tsou god Hamo by stomping his feet in the forest. The trail is a tour of the Tsou tribe heritage.
3. Irrigation System Trail
Wusantou Reservoir
The Wusantou Reservoir and the Jianan Plain, covered by the irrigation system spanning over 10 thousand kilometers, are the water conservation facilities left to Taiwan by the Yoichi Hatta. They are a proud world heritage of our island. The semi-wet construction method of the reservoir, which delivers every drop of water to each field, and the spider-like canals are all impressive aspects of this huge water resources project.
Xikou, Little Switzerland
Xikou Little Switzerland is along the trail. The water from Zengwen Reservoir flows down the shaft, forming a beautiful and unique vortex basin. The water droplets merge into a long road, allowing each drop of water to fully moisten the earth and hydrate the farmlands, and transforming the fields that relied solely on the rain into productive sources of rice.
Zengwen Reservoir
Zengwen Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Taiwan, has a towering dam that contrasts the tranquil colors of the lake. On a sunny day, the green hills and water form a European-style landscape, and on a cloudy or rainy day, the mist floating on the lake is quite another atmosphere to behold.
4. Inner Sea Trail
In the 17th century, the Inner Sea of Taijiang was the melting pot of the Han Chinese, the Siraya, and the Dutch. It was the beginning of Taiwan's rise to the world stage. The Haiwei Chaohuang Temple tells the history of the sea that has being gradually forgotten over 400 years. The Xingan Community Culture Museum and the Siraya Boulevard retain the history and heritage left behind by the battles and interactions of the communities roaming the land in the past.
Taipei Great Walk
1.Taipei Grand Trail & the Eco-craft Trail Experience
The Taipei Grand Trail is a long-distance hiking trail surrounding the Taipei metropolis. Its total length is 92 kilometers and is divided into seven sections. The scenic spots along the trail include the volcanic landscape of Datunshan, Qixingshan—the highest peak in Taipei at 1,120 meters above sea level, the sea of calla lilies on Bamboo Lake, the eco-craft trail in Shuangxigou, the camping grounds on Bishan, the tasty strawberries of Bai Shih Lake, the Old Place Observation Deck in Yuanshan, tea houses in Maokong, and the magnificent nightscape of Taipei 101 from the Mountains of the Four Beasts. The trail is also connected to the Taipei Riverside Bikeways (from the Taipei Zoo MRT Station to Guandu MRT Station), which encircles Taipei City. Each trail section is easily accessible and can be organized into a fun day trip. The trails are well-known to local nature-loving residents for hiking and workouts.
2. Shuangxigou Historical Trail
Shuangxigou Historical Trail is found near the border between the Shilin District in Taipei and the Xizhi District in New Taipei. The trail is located on the fourth section of the Taipei Grand Trail, one of the most primitive and secluded sections along the trail. The entire trail is 950 meters long, and its elevation ranges from 530 to 590 meters above sea level. The route stretches along a river valley terrain, entirely covered under forest shade. The majority of the trail stretches along the river. The weather is refreshing in the summer and fall, and foggy and humid in winter and spring. There are many interesting monuments and structures along the trail such as farmland, charcoal kilns, and old houses.
In recent years, the Taipei City Government Geotechnical Engineering Office and the Thousand Miles Trail Association have partnered together to host trail maintenance working holidays and engage volunteers in helping to preserve the trails.
3. About Eco-Craft Trails
The eco-craft trail philosophy was proposed based on environmental ethics. It is a change from trail construction contracts, which depend excessively on heavy-duty equipment, to independent civilian efforts to build trails using waste material. In the latter case, simple tools and on-site materials are utilized, and joint efforts from volunteer work help maintain and repair the trails in a way that conforms to the surrounding natural environment and local cultural and historical characteristics. Furthermore, eco-craft trails bring ecological benefits that are irreplaceable by general trail construction. They reduce the use of machinery and the transport of foreign materials, posing the least amount of ecological disturbance to trail surroundings and reducing the production of waste materials. As this method reduces habitat fragmentation caused by foreign materials on the tread face, it preserves a greater biodiversity and a more complete micro-ecosystem.
Excessively engineered and artificial trails in Taiwan cause habitat fragmentation, impermeability, knee damage, more energy consumption, exotic species invasions, and damage to landscape and historical sites. In light of these issues, since 2006, the Thousand Miles Trail Association (TMI) has started to introduce experiences of Appalachian Trail volunteers to Taiwan. TMI has also partnered with the Forestry Bureau, various Forest District Offices, the Taroko National Park, the New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department, the Taipei City Government, and other public agencies to promote the philosophy of eco-craft trails across the island. The partnerships cover a wide range of activities dedicated to the protection of trails and the eco-craft trail vision, including eco-craft trail working holidays, deep-immersion community eco-tours, volunteer bases, and environmental education. TMI also hosts its own volunteer training courses, and is devoted to promoting long-term and regular civil participation in eco-craft trails. Through personal action, the participants gain an emotional connection with the land, and recreate a bond between human and nature.
Taipei Walking Tour
1. Dadaocheng - old stores and business trends
Tired of visiting chain stores? Welcome to Dadaocheng, discover the transformation of traditional Chinese herbal medicine in the new era, and the new store owners who believe in "the more local, the more international" they try to bring Taiwan's traditions into their services. taste.
Admiring the historical buildings that blend Western and Eastern styles is like walking into a time tunnel. Come to the era when Taiwanese tea "Formosa Oolong Tea" was popular all over the world, and don't forget to buy some unique Taiwanese souvenirs.
Guided route: Yongle Market→Xiahai City God Temple→Fujian-style street house in the southern section of Dihua Street→Huang Changsheng Chinese Herbal Medicine Store→Lin Wuhu Former Residence→Dadaocheng Presbyterian Church→Cisheng Temple and Temple Cheng
2. Báng-kah - Faith and Snacks
Interested in Taiwanese temples and beliefs? Know why we hold incense, or use props to communicate with the gods?
Welcome to the famous Longshan Temple in Taiwan, listen to the sound of chanting, drink ancient herbal tea, and eat delicious dried fruit. In the nostalgic Qing Dynasty alleys, learn about Taiwan's methods of preserving ancient monuments and how beliefs affect our lives.
Guided route: "Sanshui Peanut"→Xinfu Market→Dongsanshui Market→Bopiliao→"Green Tea"→Longshan Temple
* The items in quotation marks are the snacks that will be tasted during the itinerary, and the items may be adjusted due to on-site conditions.
3. Zhongshan District - Art and Innovation
Do you have travel experience in Taiwan and want to know a different Taipei? Welcome to Zhongshan District, to experience the Taiwanese alley culture of "every turn, there are unexpected street scenes".
Shuttle through the temples with devout people, the traditional market with human touch, the new shops showing individuality, the underground book street where parents and children read on the floor, the department stores with the crowds and the movie theaters hidden in the historical sites. Feeling dazzled? You will meet Taipei that will make you feel refreshed.
Guided route: Wenchang Palace → Chifeng Street → Eslite R79 Underground Book Street → Light Point (Former US Ambassador's Residence)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
4. Jianguo Brewery (aka Taipei Brewery)
The Jianguo Brewery, currently an official municipal monument and formerly the Takasago Malted Beer Company during the Japanese occupation, was founded in the 8th year of the Taisho era (AD 1919). It was the only beer brewery in Taiwan at the time, and was recognized for its prestige equal to that of the Sapporo Breweries in Hokkaido, Japan. The brewery retains the original structure of a mixture red bricks, stones, and steel. It also has a brick wall and steel truss structure factory built in 1940, which showcases the architectural technologies characteristic of the era. In June 2000, the Taipei City Government designated the “Jianguo Brewery” as the 95th municipal monument, and renamed it the “Taipei Brewery” in 2002. (Source: National Cultural Heritage Website, ROC)
