Enchanting Beauty of Miaoli's Tung Blossom

Travel Date: 2023/05/01

We drove to Sanwan in Miaoli to see the tung trees in bloom. Along the way, we passed by Yongheshan Water Reservoir, and we noticed that the water level was lower than it was a few months ago. The place we visited was not well-known, so there weren't many people there. However, driving a car on the narrow roads was a bit challenging.

The Hakka Tung Blossom Festival started in 2002 as a way to promote Hakka culture. Every April to May, many people travel to the mountains to enjoy the beautiful sight of the blooming flowers. There were two trails, but unfortunately, one of them, which seemed to have more trees, was closed.

Tung trees, also known as tung oil trees or China wood-oil trees, were originally grown in the Yangtze River region of China. They were brought to Taiwan during the Japanese occupation. The majority of tung trees can be found in the northern part of Taiwan, particularly in Miaoli, Hsinchu, and Taoyuan, where they were planted by the Hakka people.

The seeds of these trees are used to produce tung oil, which traditionally was used in lamps. Tung oil is also an ingredient in paint, varnish, and caulk. It is known for its ability to protect wood furniture and make it waterproof. Additionally, tung oil is used in the production of Meinong's oil-paper umbrellas, which is an enduring Hakka craft.

The use of tung oil can be traced back to 400 years B.C., and it was mentioned in the writings of Confucius. Although the demand for tung oil is declining, it still holds a significant place in Hakka culture as one of their popular trees.

Check out my YouTube video

Address:

352苗栗縣三灣鄉20號神棹山

Read More

Yunlin Travel: Tung Flowers Festival 2020

After visiting the jacaranda tunnel in Chiayi, we continued our journey further north to Gukeng, Yunlin to see the tung park. It was fortunate (or perhaps unfortunate due to the coronavirus) that this weekend coincided with the Hakka Festival. As a result, there were many cars parked along the road and a lot of people walking in the park. We had hoped for a quieter atmosphere, but since we had already made the drive, we decided to take a walk anyway.

The park had multiple entrances, but there were signs prohibiting entry except through the main entrance. The police were present to control traffic, and everyone was required to wear a mask. Each person's temperature was checked, and we had to sanitize our hands with alcohol before entering. Additionally, we were asked to provide our basic information by signing a form. Taiwan is truly doing an excellent job in preventing the further spread of the virus.

Hebaoshan, named after its mountain shape resembling a lotus flower, was once used by the Japanese to plant coffee trees during their occupation, earning it the nickname "coffee hill." As coffee trees require partial sunlight, over 100 tung trees with high economic value were planted for shading, transforming the area into a forest. After the orange and coffee flowers bloom in March and April each year, the tung flowers begin to bloom.

The Hebao Mountain hiking trail has multiple entrances and exits, with the most popular one located near the parking lot of Dimu Temple. The elevation of this mountain is not high, but the view is still spectacular, overlooking the Douliu and Gukeng areas, as well as National Highway No. 3 and Gukeng Expressway. After descending a steep section from the mountaintop, you can reach the Cilong Palace mountain climbing entrance at the other end of the trail, and then take the 149 A line to return to the starting point. The entire journey takes about two hours, and you can also visit Tonghua Park and the ground along the way.

The Yunlin County Government and Gukeng Township Office held the 2020 Yunlin Hakka Tung Flower Festival on April 11-12. In accordance with the precautions related to the Wuhan pneumonia epidemic, large-scale performances and group gatherings were canceled this year. All activities were conducted in open-air and well-ventilated environments. The Gukeng Township Office stated that Tonghua Park, which spans approximately 4 hectares, can usually accommodate thousands of people for leisure and flower viewing. However, to comply with epidemic prevention measures, the maximum number of participants for outdoor activities was limited to 500, and strict controls were implemented.

See also: Jacaranda Tunnel

See also: Pink Shower Trees Path

Address:

646雲林縣古坑鄉荷苞山桐花公園

Read More

Exploring the Baba Tunnel - An Old Coal Mine Experience in Maioli

The Baba Tunnel Leisure Mine (巴巴坑道休閒礦場) 

The Baba Tunnel Leisure Mine (巴巴坑道休閒礦場) is located in Nanzhuang, Miaoli. It is a leisure-type mine that preserves the early years of Nanzhuang mining culture. Nanzhuang's mining culture flourished in the 1940s to 1950s but has since declined. Mr. Chen Guiwen opened the Baba Tunnel as a tribute to his father, who worked in the mine. He invested a considerable amount of money and more than ten years to realize this dream with his family.

Today, visitors can find a restaurant, coffee shop, DIY projects for kids, and can walk inside the mining tunnel. The ticket fee is 150 NTD, but you can exchange 30 NTD for a DIY project or 100 NTD for food. The prices in the restaurant are usually higher than these amounts, except for mochi, beans, and ice creams. The site showcases various tools used in the mining process, displays old pictures in a gallery, and offers an immersive experience of the mining environment. Children can enjoy a train ride and participate in a treasure hunt in the coal.

Coal is one of the earliest fossil fuels used by humans. The Chinese began using coal two thousand years ago, while the British started using it in the 12th century. Coal is a solid fuel that is difficult and dangerous to mine, and its transportation and storage are inconvenient. Initially, coal played a crucial role in the emergence of industrial society. In the 19th century, coal provided power to the industry on a large scale. However, in the early 20th century, oil replaced coal as the primary energy source.

During Taiwan's early stage of economic development, domestically produced coal served as the main energy source, powering the country's industrial development. According to data released by the Energy Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs in 1984, Taiwan's coal production reached 5.08 million metric tons. However, due to high mining costs, coal production has steadily declined over the years.

Coal fields in Taiwan are predominantly located in the central part of northern Taiwan, spanning an area of approximately 2,000 square kilometers. This region includes Keelung, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli. The Nanzhuang coalfield consists of more than 20 mining sites, with the Nanzhuang Coal Mine being the largest. The coalfield features hilly terrain with altitudes ranging from 500 meters to 2,000 meters. It is divided into a northern area covering 130 kilometers and a southern area spanning 32 square kilometers.

See also: Longteng Broken Bridge

Additionally, you can see a few blooming tung trees. Tung trees can grow up to 20 meters tall and produce hard, pear-shaped fruits containing oily seeds. All parts of the tung tree are poisonous, and contact with the leaves can cause a rash similar to poison ivy. The seeds of these trees are used to produce tung oil, traditionally used in lamps. Tung oil is also employed as an ingredient in paint, varnish, and caulk. Furthermore, the oil is utilized to protect and waterproof wooden furniture.

Adddress:

352苗栗縣三灣鄉15-1樓巴巴坑道休閒礦場

Read More