Objectives
1. Short-term objective: To spread the red yeast rice culture and implement it in Shulin District.
2. Mid-term objective: To improve marketing channels to ensure business opportunities in tourism.
3. Long-term objective: To deeply root the culture in daily life and expand related industries for sustainable development.
Introduction
To celebrate the 100th year Birthday of R.O.C, Shulin Township office uses the theme of "Good for the Health - 100 Years of Good Taste! " to collaborate with local stores with public participation to recall memories of the tradition buried within and create a cultural image unique to Shulin with red yeast rice. Red yeast rice is the natto of Shulin and has been an important delicacy and cultural asset of Shulin for the past 100 years. Speaking of the origin of red yeast rice, it can be traced back to the period of Japanese occupation. Shlin virtuous men-Hung Chun-Qing, Xie Dao-bi and Zhou Yan co-founded "Shulin Winery " in the era of Meiji Emperor during the Japanese occupation to manufacture red yeast wine for selling throughout Taiwan. Therefore, Shulin well deserves to be called the hometown of red yeast rice in Taiwan.
"2011 Shulin Red Yeast Rice Festival", in order to allow the public to recognize their hometown and experience Shulin Red Yeast Rice Culture, has included diverse activities such as free red yeast rice food, Happy Red Yeast Rice Concert and Charms of Red Yeast Rice to demonstrate charms of the local culture. The local officials would like to invite the public to come and experience the passion and the local allures of Shulin Red Yeast Rice Culture. During the time of promoting red yeast rice industry, in addition to making use of the local cultural development and industrial innovation, the local officials not only continues to implement the city and local policies, but also combine resources of art, culture, local industries, tourism and historic sites to demonstrate 100 years of amazing history of Shulin red yeast rice, making the impression of "going to Shulin for its great mountains, water and sceneries, experiencing the exquisite and fun of Shulin Red Yeast Rice, and tasting the scents and sweetness and delicious flavors of Shulin" on the public for shaping the "Red Yeast Rice Culture" as an representative image of Shulin. Hopefully through this series of activities, the public will better understand the red yeast rice culture during their participation, in the meantime, as many visitors from other areas as possible are drawn to Shulin so that the festival becomes an annual art and culture event that always pack with visitors, ensuring the sustainable development and operations of industries in Shulin.
About the Activity
* Date: September 24,2011
* Location: The Activity Center of Shulin Senior High School, New Taipei City at 11:00-17:00
* Charms of Red Yeast Rice Exhibition: Related literatures and historical materials are displayed in the exhibition. Local businessmen are invited to participate, offering more resources to further the depth of the exhibition.
* Fair of red yeast rice related products: At the location where the activity is held, red yeast rice souvenirs, local delicacies and stands selling specialties of Sanyin area are set up by the local red yeast rice food manufactures. The fair is highly anticipated.
* Air Mattress Area of the Rainbow Park: A large air mattress recreational facility is installed at the location of the event. Admission is free for children attending the activity so that they have a great time with the parents. This facility is set up to appeal to parents and children and to retain the number of people participated as well as to create the joyful and fun atmosphere.
* 1000 People Red Yeast Rice Banquet: Free red yeast rice buffet that features 10 courses prepared by local restaurants specialize in red yeast rice cuisines in Shulin is offered to 1000 people. Each course will be served by a waiter to provide the public with the best service so that they are able to taste the red yeast rice cuisines first hand as well as to achieve the goal of promoting the beauty of Shulin Red Yeast Culture. The 1st banquet is held: at 12:00-14:00 and the 2nd banquet at 15:00-17:00.
Local Highlights
There are Shanjia and Shulin train stations in Shulin with local attractions close by. The history of Shanjia is 100 years old and there are pre-historic sites worthy of paying a visit. Other attractions are all within a radius of 3 kilometers, including Shude Temple, the world-class cold spring of Fude Temple, the largest old banyan tree in Shihuikeng, and the beautiful lotus pond in the Riverside Park. Furthermore, Mt. Datong that resembles a dragon is considered not only an excellent geographic spot by the old Shulin local people but also a spiritual symbol of Shulin people.
Situated on Boan Street, Ji-An Temple, also known as Dadaogong Temple or Tandi Temple, is the religious center of Shulin local people. Baosheng Emperor, God of Medicine, is worshipped in the main shrine. The 15th day of the 3rd Lunar Month is the birthday of Baosheng Emperor and a big pilgrimage praying for safety is held by the temple. It is an annual big event for Shulin people. The 218 year old temple is a historic architecture. The designs, decorations, steles and carvings are the works of Minnan Artisan Chen Ying-Bin. On the day when Baosheng Emperor tours the town, parade formations all over Taiwan line up for hundred of meters. Whereever the holy palanquin goes, it is always welcomed by religious believers with incenses. It is indeed the big event for Shulin.
The end of Alley 45, Boan Street, Section 2 leads to the winding road heading for Dragon Summit. Following the road, cars may arrive directly at Fude Temple or Dragon Summit. There is also a hiking trail available with about 300 steps and is a 25-minute walk. Afterwards, a small mountain trail comes into vies. It is surrounded by mountains with breathtaking scenery. Dragon Summit is located in the northeast ridge of Mt. Datong with an elevation of 296 meters above the sea. While heading to the summit and looking to the three-way interaction, the mountain is shaped like a crouching sleeping dragon and that is how it got the name. It is now a forest park, and the secrete trails hidden inside it is like a dreaming green forest.
