Introduction
This year, ‘Beautiful Tucheng; MRT or Bike, Tung-oil Tree-watching, Ecologies, arts, and cultures’ will be the theme for Tung Flower Festival in Tucheng to create the ‘oil tree-watching during the day and firefly-watching at night’ leisurely travel. The Taipei residents will have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature in Tucheng where the joyous atmosphere of Tung Flower Festival will be created. Everyone is invited to visit Tucheng to watch the Tung flowers in full bloom and fireflies this summer by MRT or bicycle and to establish ‘bonding’ with the Tung flowers found everywhere.
Activity Details
1. Tung Flower Tour by Bike
In conjunction with the carbon dioxide reduction policy implementations and collaborated efforts from Chinese Taipei Cycling
Association, the general public is invited to tour around Tucheng by bike from MRT Yongning Station to Chengtian Chan Temple to enjoy the bike ride and the beauty of ecologies in Tucheng.
2. Tung Flower Arts Education
Collaborate with local schools in Tucheng in teaching students about the history of Tung flowers and the seasonal changes.
Students will participate in Tung flower DIY, Tung flower themed sketching, writing contest, etc.
3. Selection and Scheduled Performance of Outstanding Performing Arts Groups
Outstanding arts performance groups from Tucheng and other localities will be selected after review by the project team of Tucheng City Hall for scheduled performances.
4. Literature Promotion, Arts Education, and Community Development
With collaborated efforts of local literature/history workers and artists, literature promotions and arts education-related activities will be conducted. Community Development Society will be subsidized to promote Tung Flower Cultural & Creative Products at the Tung Flower Festival.
5. Tung Flower & Firefly Natural Ecology Tour-
Please register for the 1-day or 1/2 day natural ecology tour in advance. Registration fee applies.
6. Tourist guides will be assigned to take you to Shihpiliao River, explore the natural ecologies and educate visitors on safety when
near water.
7. Tung Flower Market: There will be different themed booths set up by local companies, stores, and organizations, where Tucheng specialty products and foods will be sold. The popular Tung Flower body painting will also be available on-site.
Purpose
With ‘Tung flowers’ as the theme, many artists and cultural workers in Tucheng will bring together nature with art, and pass on the spirit of the passion for cultural arts. With local cultural resources available, cultural industry development will be encouraged to improve the quality of life. ‘Tung flowers’ are a salute and praise for natural landscapes of Tucheng. They represent the beauty of nature. The cultural industry of Tucheng will be promoted through Tung Flower Festival activities.
In order to foster environmental protection and prevent natural resource depletion due to misuse or destruction, the economic
benefits of Tung oil, Tung flower-watching, natural balance, sustainable developments, etc. are important factors to consider.
Through annual holdings of the Tung Flower Festival, Tucheng residents will be able to disseminate arts and cultures through hiking,flower-watching, biking, etc. Private participations are also encouraged to partake in assisting local arts groups and literature/history worker in order to achieve sustainable developments in the long run.
Local Attractions
Chengtian Chan Temple
Chengtian Chan Temple is located by the mountains in the suburbs of Tucheng. Constructed in 1951 by monks in Kuangchin, it is quite a famous temple locally. It has green tiles and white walls and the sound of ‘prolonged and intense contemplation’ can be heard. It is a quiet and graceful place and a popular tourist spot. The Tianchaoshan pebble trail is 900 meters long. The stone tablets, stone carvings, and stone pillars on the sides also appear solemn and stately. Surrounded by mountain groups, it is the trail to take for Tung flower-watching and hiking in Tianshangshan. There are also theme trails such as maple watching and firefly watching trails constructed by Tucheng City Hall. You may also sunbathe in the forest!
Tianshangshan
Formerly known as ‘Neiposhan’, Tianshangshan is 430 meters high and stretches across Sanxia, Xindian, and Tucheng. It
overlooks far and wide and stands erect above all other peaks in the vicinity. It is also known as ‘Mt. Emperor’ as it exalts only one’s own self. In the early years, before Tung flowers had been planted, the area was occupied by monkeys that dwelled in the eastern part of the mountain in a place called ‘Monkey Cave.’ During the period of Japanese colonization, Tung trees from Guangdong were vastly planted. The Tung-watching area at the foot of Mt. emperor appears like the imperial garden. Every April and May, one walks along the trail to reach the peak. Along the way, the Tung flowers are simply a sight to see.
Taiwan Nougot Museum
Taiwan Nougot Museum displays the production process and history of the Nougot. The museum is in ‘old-time delights’ style to introduce customary Chinese weddings to people who like to keep their weddings simple in the modern times
