Taichung City’s Wufeng District in central Taiwan is among 100 townships and districts across the country awarded the “small town” designation by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Bureau. Based on distinctive natural features or unique cultural legacies, the towns are offered support to develop their infrastructure and marketing as part of nationwide tourism campaigns.
Wufeng Culture and Tourism Association Chair Derek Lin is a member of the Wufeng Lin family, prominent in Taiwan’s history from the Qing dynasty (1683-1895) through Japanese rule (1895-1945) and in the post-World War II era. He manages day-to-day operations at Wufeng Lin Family Gongbaodi Park.
The park is a national-level heritage site of lavishly decorated residential buildings.
The splendor of the buildings reflects the status of the mansion’s past residents. The national-level historic site includes both residential and ceremonial buildings such as the Grand Flower Hall with its theatrical stage, designed to entertain banquet guests.
Through the tourism association, Lin hopes to share history with visitors, for example he wants to stage plays and music in the Grand Flower Hall all year round, evoking the home’s elegant past. “Historical structures can be utilized in many different ways, as old houses tell stories,” Lin said.
The buildings reflect the status of the mansion’s past residents.
Lin guides the association in its development of new programs and partnerships. Established in 2020, the organization comprises around 30 representatives from local civic groups, community colleges, farmers’ associations, open-house factories and other tourism-related enterprises that work in cooperation with key public entities like the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area.
The scenic area’s jurisdiction does not cover Wufeng, but this is likely to change soon, largely due to the association’s work to more effectively integrate the district’s recreation resources. “There are two universities in the area, along with many museums,” Lin said, specifically citing the Asia University Museum of Modern Art and its striking design by noted Japanese architect Tadao Ando. “Wufeng is a great place to explore,” he added. “It’s a prime choice for in-depth tourism and we want to maximize its potential.” (E) (By Pat Gao)
Asia University Museum of Modern Art in Wufeng is by noted Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
(This article is adapted from “Cultural Wealth” in the July/August issue of Taiwan Review. The Taiwan Review archives dating to 1951 are available online.)