Dalin Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan: The Travel in Cittaslow Dalin

Dalin Township in Chiayi County is an agricultural community with a town center that embodies traditional small-town culture. The surrounding agricultural areas primarily produce rice, pineapples, and bamboo shoots. In 2016, Dalin Township received international recognition as a Cittaslow. In this presentation, we will introduce: the town center’s market and the surrounding cultural landscapes; and explore the tourism, ecology, and cuisine of the Bamboo Farm in the Shanglin community.

Cittaslow Dalin is a place rich in culture, ecology, agriculture, and gastronomy. “Night Ecological Symphony: The Shanglin Frog-Watching Journey.” Explore the Shanglin community in Dalin Township, Chiayi County, and embark on a unique nighttime adventure. As the night descends, Shanglin’s bamboo farm comes alive with the songs of unique tree frogs, creating a symphony of nature. Guided by experienced guides, you’ll have the opportunity to observe these fascinating creatures up close, gaining insights into their ecology and behavior. This journey is not just about tree frog-watching and tasting bamboo shoots. It’s an immersive experience of Taiwan’s local culture and ecology.

This area features high mountains and the ocean. 1. In Alishan Township, there are indigenous festivals in the high mountains and high-altitude forests. 2. Chiayi City serves as the regional transportation hub and serves as the starting point for journeys to Alishan Mountain. This city has a history spanning 300 years. 3. In Dongshi Township, there are nationally recognized wetlands, and it is also a region known for oyster farming. Visitors can take a boat to experience the wetlands and explore offshore sandbars.

What to eat

In Chiayi County eat turkey rice, which involves boiling turkey meat and shredding or slicing it, then placing it on top of rice and drizzling it with turkey oil. Additionally, they add pickled cucumbers, braised eggs, omelets, and braised tofu to the rice. Furthermore, a meal is always accompanied by soup or a beverage, just like bubble tea. This is a common meal for the residents during lunch or dinner.

Due to the abundant bamboo farm in Dalin, which yields a rich harvest of bamboo shoots. Local farmers keep bamboo shoots that are edible but have fewer appealing appearances for themselves, resulting in various cooking methods for bamboo shoots. To preserve the optimal flavor of bamboo shoots, besides blanching them in water to make salads, they can also be shredded and stir-fried. Additionally, residents use a marinating method to turn harvested bamboo shoots into jars of marinated bamboo shoots. This not only allows them to enjoy the crispness of bamboo shoots but also savor the rich marinated sauce flavor.

Richly prepared big-pot soups are a traditional hallmark of banquet cuisine. Back in the 1950s and 1970s, Dalin was a high-income township with a sugar industry. The Dalin banquet restaurants were thriving, and local proprietors would host banquets at these venues. The ingredients used were of high quality, emphasizing nourishment and abundance, and ensuring that guests were well-fed and satisfied. With the decline of this tradition over time and changes in modern dining habits, there are now fewer establishments that prepare banquet cuisine. However, one can still find these delicious soups in some local restaurants today.

Local customs, tradition and festivities

Each community will have its local spirit and beliefs. Furthermore, the local people worship Mazu from mainland China, and every year between March and May, they hold a procession and blessing event. During this time, the community members carry the sacred palanquin through different neighborhoods, hoping to bring good fortune to the local community. Unfortunately, in their daily lives, traditional customs are no longer worn, and traditional clothing is not a part of the festivities.

Nanhua University

Speaker

Jun-Hong Lin

Nanhua University, Chiayi, Taiwan
Dean, Center for General Education, Aug. 2016 – present
Executive, Office of University Social Responsibility, Nanhua University, Nov. 2019 - present
Professor, Department of Natural Technology/ Center for General Education, Aug. 2021 - present
Study interest in social practice: service learning, environmental education, design thinking, university social responsibility (USR), Cittaslow, slow food.

I have chosen the primary element of the first point: Ecotourism. The Zhangixalus arvalis (farmland green treefrog), a unique species in Taiwan, is also an endangered animal. In order to conserve the treefrog while balancing bamboo shoot production and livelihoods, the local community has transitioned from conventional farming methods to ecological farming. They hope that by not using pesticides, they can protect the animals and ensure the safety of bamboo shoot ingredients. Community residents are farmers during the day and ecotourism guides at night. After participating in community ecotourism, visitors can taste the bamboo shoot meals developed by the community, providing guests with a profound experience and promoting the local economy. The Zhangixalus arvalis (farmland green treefrog) is a unique species in Taiwan and is also an endangered animal. I like the night treefrog-watching tour in the Shanglin community because it offers a unique way to experience and appreciate Taiwan's natural ecology, local culture, and farm-to-table cuisine. I chose the Shanglin community's night frog-watching tour because it not only provides an opportunity for a close encounter with Taiwan's ecology but is also an activity that highlights the importance of local culture and environmental conservation. Visitors can experience an authentic, non-commercialized nature journey here.

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