The worshipping at the Hongludi- Zhonghe Earth God Culture Festival- consist of four major types of activities: "The Lunar New Year Shopping Broadway," "the Lantern Fair," "Zhonghe Cherry Blossoms," and "Local Earth God Blessing Ceremony." All are cordially invited to take pictures highlighting the activities and to join the photo contest titled "The Beauty of Zhonghe." The joyous festive scenes and memories will thus be interpreted and captured. Sold on the shopping Broadway are dried goods such as exotic gourmets, interactive games, and creative products from all areas. The lunar New Year celebrations culminate in the lantern fair. The streets are decorated with the traditional lanterns signifying the advent of the New Year. Perhaps to all the most familiar and indispensable traditional custom is guessing at the riddles on the Lantern Festival. In addition to appreciating variously designed lanterns on the day of the Lantern Festival, you are highly recommended to participate in the afternoon activity in the Yuantong Temple Ecological Trail. Professional tour guides will take you to historical temples and natural scenic spots in Zhonghe City. On the eve of the festival, a praying rite will be held in the hope that with the blessings from the local Earth God, we will have in store in the coming year a prosperous Taipei County, a stable country, a secure society and a favorable climate.

Route 1: Section 3, Jhongshan Road→ Jingping Road→Yunghe Road→Old site of Brick Factory→Pili Temple→Old Brick Factory Chimney→Guangji Temple→Fangliao Street/Fangliao Night Market→arrive at the Fuhe Temple

Route 2: the Lins' Old Residence→Guoshihtou Wong Fishing Pond→Yuhuang Ritual Temple→Yuhuang Temple→Tzuyun Temple→Fanfang Old Fortress→ Yuantong Temple→(old) Guochiling→Fruit Fig Tree→(new) Guochiling→Letien Temple →The Yus' Old Residence →The Yus' House →Guanping Shrine→ arrive at the Old Ammunition Disposal Plant

Xinzhuang Drums

The drum art has had a long history. By producing drums and promoting the art of drum, Shiangrenhe Drum Factory at Xinzhuang plays the role of sustaining the history and inspiring the future generations. The "Xinzhuang drums" are worldwide known. They are not only ordered by the major temples and performing groups but also win resounding fame overseas. They are leaders of the drum industry in Taiwan. Such popular performing groups as Ju's Percussion Group, The Hsiaohsiyuan Puppet Theater, and Minghuayuan Taiwanese Opera have all used Shiangrenhe-produced drums. Orders have flooded from the world's performing groups from Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, U.S.A., and France. The recognition and commendation by the drumming groups all over the world have been the pride of Xinzhuang residents.

In general, a drum could be divided into two parts, the drum body and the drum rim. The drum body, the resonance box, is made of wood. The drum rim is the drum surface usually made of cowhide. The most significant step in producing a drum is the skill in sharpening the cowhide. The process of assembling the drum is called "muffling or binding the drum."

It is certainly a touching scene to see how hard the drum Master Wang Shis-shen of "Shiangrenhe" has worked to continue the local culture and promote the old Xinzhuang traditions. He has not only shouldered up the great responsibility of transmitting the drum-producing skills to future generations, but has also set up a drum cultural center allowing the art of drum to shine everlastingly in various religious and festive activities. Master Wang's passion for drums is indeed heart-warming.

　The development of Xinzhuang can be dated to the earlier days. There are many famous 100-year-old stores such as Laoshenshiang Pastry store on Xinzhuang Old Street. Shienguan cakes, different types of cakes, moon cakes, and sticky rice balls are all recommended specialties. The must-have Shienguan cakes for God-worshipping rites in Xinzhuang are especially popular. During the period when various temple activities are held, these kinds of cakes are purchased by temples or the believers who wish to redeem a vow before sending it to a Buddhist master for Buddhist scriptural inscription. The cakes are then distributed along the road by "Guan Jiang Shou" (a general in charge) to believers during processions. Eating the cakes symbolizes "peace and safety."

The Wonyumei Company located near the Guanfu Temple has always used, since its establishment, pure malt sugar for making cakes. Adding malt sugar in food makes delicious flavor. Pharmaceutical companies also purchase the malt sugar for syrup production.

The dried bean curds of Yushieh Dried Bean Curd Store are generally considered as the pride of Xinzhuang residents. Over a hundred years ago, our ancestors had already adopted the roasting method to make soybeans taste their best. At the time, as power and machinery were not prevalent, products had to be made using the ancient methods. Although the equipment has been improved nowadays, Yushieh still insists on making dried bean curds by the "old way." For this reason, its dried bean curds taste so good and differ from other brands’ ones.