To encourage the youth to experience Taiwan from stepping out of their comfort zone and going on grand tours, The Ministry of Education's Youth Development Administration collaborated with colleges and non-profit organizations then established 59 grand tour recreation spots throughout Taiwan in 2019. It has led the youth from 15 to 35-year-old to outdoors and experienced local humanities, history, ecology and environment. Encouraging them to learn from their exploring process and to recognize and rediscover the beauty of Taiwan.
The experience of grand tour recreation spots is to convey the local emotions and knowledge, moreover, develop in-depth learning during the youth’s exploration. Creating a moment for the youth to experience and learn from the unique lifestyle through cultural, tribal, ecological, rural, fishing village, volunteering, physical fitness and other diverse types including attractions exploration, tour guiding, physical exercise, public issues, DIY handcraft experience, and public service. We are aim to lead the youth to understand the unique lifestyle and humanity, moreover, to cultivate enthusiasm and care for our land.
Qishan, Kaohsiung Grand Tour Experience: Meet Taiwanese Bananas
Taiwan was once known for being a "banana kingdom", especially in Kaohsiung Qishan area, which wass endowed with a unique climate and environment. Under the pleasant weather in June, the youth left for Kaohsiung Qishan grad tour spot to experience the original life of banana farmers. They learnt the knowledge of growing bananas and got to know more about the relationship between the farmers and the land. At the same time, they also learnt all kinds of banana related creative ideas, such as banana-flavored dishes, banana leaf stone rubbing and dyeing arts. In addition, riding bicycle to travel around Meinong District and Shanlin District was a great way to experience Qishan. Visiting Qiwei Mountain hiking trail at an altitude of 318 meters to observe the greens of the countryside was also a good way to sense the unique charm of the town.
"I won’t be able to have the opportunity to experience the life of banana famers if there is no grand tour. Visiting Qishan to understand the development of Qishan and the change of the rivers, moreover, imagining every step taken by the people in the past is definitely a rare cultural feast to experience! The local culture of Taiwan should be broadly known by people nowadays!” The young participant happily shared this with us. Grand tours brought unforgettable experiences to the youth in just a few days. They will keep on exploring Taiwan and marking down irreplaceable life stories in their lives.
We know more than just eat: Experience Oyster Raising, Picking, and Shelling
"Work as an agriculturalist, think as an ecologist, and be a western Taiwan enthusiast" This is an exploration activity of a fishing village in Fangyuan, Changhua, which is also an in-depth grand tour attraction. "Wang Gong" used to have the most beautiful intertidal zone on the central and western coast of Taiwan. However, due to the marine environmental changes, the fishery harvest has reduced and declined. Luckily, Wang Gong’s rich ecological environment has produced a unique oyster culture; moreover, the fishing village has opened a new path by reusing discarded oyster shells.
Wang Gong is rich in organic beaches, which is the best environment for the growth of pearl oysters. Oyster farmers protect these treasures from time to time, from oyster raising, picking, shelling, and eating; the farmers live a simple and thrifty life, working hard to achieve growing fat and delicious oysters. The youth, who participated in grand tour activity in Fangyuan, Changhua said that "You will fall in love with W