Exploring Southern Taiwan--Coutry Traval
Country Travel, New Style

The checkerboard fields of the Chia-nan Plain are the richest assets left to us by our ancestors, and are also the best place for city dwellers, who are often cut off from nature, to learn about farming life.

The weekend--two whole days. Too short for a trip abroad, but too long to waste on just a day out in the suburbs which doesn't give a real sense of relaxation. That's why two-day "ecotours"have become a favorite. Catering to this trend, towns and villages in rural southern Taiwan have begun to package their distinctive farming and fishing heritage to give urbanites a chance to escape the clamor of the city and get in touch with their native soil, and to use their senses of sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing--and their

The simple, straight forward ways of Taiwan's country folk are sure to win your heart.

emotions too--to discover the secrets of the natural world. Of course, if you have a longer holiday, or are in Taiwan to visit friends or family or just to tour the island, you can dodge the weekend crowds and spend several days savoring the beauty of Taiwan's countryside. In this section of Taiwan GoGo we begin an in-depth exploration of southern Taiwan.

This section focuses on Tainan County. We introduce Chiku Rural Township, famed for its natural beauty, its salt pans and its fish farms; Tsochen Rural Township, with its religious activities and its Siraya Aboriginal culture; Paiho Township, a lively economic and cultural center; and Kuantien Rural Township, the home of President Chen Shui-bian. These are starting points for in-depth tours that give insights into southern Taiwan's rural economy. 

Major Scenic Attractions in Tainan County

A characteristic of this new approach to tourism is interaction, rather than just sightseeing. Various festivals timed according to the farming seasons, such as Paiho's Lotus Festival, Yuching's Mango Festival, Chiku's Melon Festival, Tsochen's Chalk Festival or Kuantien's Water Caltrop Festival, provide focal points for city dwellers to visit and stay in villages and farms, where they can chat with country folk face to face and personally experience farm life, peel lotus seeds, gather water caltrops, climb salt mounds, go birdwatching, and more, for a total immersion experience that is the best way to enjoy and appreciate the countryside. 

Are you ready ? Let's go! 
 

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