Objectives
1. Participation of Local people: Communities of Jingtong, Lingjiao, Nanshan, and Shifen, parade formations of Bei-guan, Large Tong Drums, Shifen Elementary School (Active Aging Learning Center), Pingxi Shopping District Development Association, Pingxi Farmer Association, local artists, and local civilians such as oil painters Chen Wen-Hui, Wang Zhi-Xian, clubs, schools, art workers and artists invited by various Potry Clubs throughout Taiwan work together to demonstrate the charms of local culture so that local people will recognize their hometown and be proud of it.
2. Making A Life Full of Art: Through various culture promotional activities, artists and people in the community is given a place and stage for expressing their creativity. At the meantime, the numbers of art activities held locally are also increased, creating a quality culture environment.
3. Sustainable Culture Development: To promote trends for cultural activities and hold activities that market local features. Meanwhile, art and cultural performances are promoted to cultivate people's art appreciation abilities and improve their living quality.
Introduction
The aims of the activity are to invite poets or art workers recommended by various districts such as Shuangxi, Reifang or even poetry associations to participate in the Poetic Pingxi Activity. Through the in-depth introduction on the culture and natural landscapes of Pingxi given by the local guides, local features are highlighted via culture activities such as poem writing and reading. Meanwhile, participation of local people and art workers are prompted to promote the development of local culture and leisure industry.
About the Activity
1. Poets recommended by poetry associations or related clubs are toured by rental buses and led by local senior guides to visit the historic sites and special cultural attractions in Pingxi, offering them an in-depth introduction on the cultural and natural features of Pingxi to inspire them.
2. Parade formations in Pingxi - Members of Girl Bei-Quan Team and the Active Aging Learning Center of Shifen Elementary school as well as senior citizens who love banter-songs from Shiding and Shuangxi are invited to participate and do shows together, providing a chance for people in community and the public to attend art activities and highlighting art and cultural characteristics and folklores of various districts in New Taipei City. Local folklore experience activity: Sky Lantern Association is invited to participate in the sky lantern releasing activity, allowing art workers to experience the sweet and peaceful sky lantern activity in Pingxi.
3. Poetry Reciting and Writing: Art workers participated in the activity do poetry reciting or writing about the activities they attend. Local cultural features and natural features will be highlighted through these poetries and hopefully by word of mouth, local culture and leisure industry are promoted and local cultural charms are demonstrated. Furthermore, teachers and students from elementary schools and junior high schools in the district will be invited to observe and learn on site for encouraging the trend of attending local art activities.
Local Highlights
Pingxi is known for "Hometown of Waterfalls" with big and small waterfalls in the district. According to the investigation by a mountain climbing association, there are about 20 waterfalls in Pingxi, such as Shifeng Waterfall, Eyeglasses Waterfall, and Lingjia Waterfall. Shifen Waterfall is the biggest curtain-type waterfall in Taiwan. Pot cave area: All rivers and streams in Pingxi have pot cave areas. The pot cave area in valley of the upper stream of Keelung River near Dahua Train Station is the most obvious. It is the biggest pot cave area in Taiwan in terms of area and range and is now made to a conservation area for special geographical landscape by New Taipei City Government.
Famous hiking attractions in Pingxi include Wufen Mountain Xiaozi Mt., Cimu Peak, and 3 Peaks of Pingxi - Fengtou Peak, Shulang Peak and Shisun Peak. Shulang Peak was called the "Little Fuji Mountain in Taiwan" during the Japanese occupation for its resemblance of the Fuji Mountain. Xiaozi Mountain and Cimu Peak were called "Little Huang Mountain" because of their steepness and heavy fog after the rain. The front section of the hiking trail in Wufen Mountain used to be the old path used by Pingxi settlers heading for Nuannuan in the early years. The destination of the trail is at an elevation of 752 meters above the sea. The view is magnificent. A full view of Xizhi and Keelung in the distance can be seen when the weather is good. Located at the border of Pingxi and Shiding, Shigongjiwei Mountain belongs to Huoshaoliao Mountain Groups. Fushi Peak is at an elevation of 795 meters above the sea and is the highest peak in Pingxi.
Located in Houshaoliao area of Dongshi Village, it holds the records for the highest annual rainfall in Taiwan: 8000 mm in the 1st year of R.O.C. and 6572 mm in the 38th year of R.O.C. and it has the highest rainfall in Taiwan.
Keelung River is essential to the life of people in Metropolitan Taipei and also of people in Shilin, Songshan, Nangang, Xizhi, Keelung, Nuannuan, Reifang, Pingxi in the early years. The origin of the river is at Shulang Village of Pingxi District, 1.5 km from the Cultural Hall. The coal mines along Keelung River were the important sources for the economic development in Taiwan in the early days. In addition, it has natural resources such as protected bird species - Taiwan Blue Magpie and Fairy Lilies.
