Tourism and Recreation Having gone through14 the evolution and integration of different cultures, has transformed into a diversified cultural city and also one that is full of surprises. With shopping, cultural creativity, delicacies, arts and literature, folk customs, and even simply a convenient life, one will definitely prolong their stay and want to come back again and again to feel the appeal of Taipei. There are new heartfelt experiences to be had for every traveler to Taipei. Yearbook 226

More than 7 million people traveled to in 2012 and in 2013 that number reached 8.01 million. To cope with the increasing number of travelers, the Taipei City Government continued its efforts Tourism and to proactively create a comfortable travel environment, reinforce domestic and international marketing and promotion capability, and 14Recreation provide travelers with better quality services so that all travelers to Taipei, the city in Taiwan with the highest portion of international visitors, can enjoy their stay and feel the charm of the city.

Part1 A Thoughtful Environment to Make Travelling Easy

1 . Understanding the Needs of facility where the audience can watch movies. The new film “Moments in Taipei,” completed Travelers and Providing Friendly in 2013, guides visitors through the historical Services highlights of Taipei and helps them see what The Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei looked like at different points in time. In Taipei City Government, has been conducting 2013, the display spaces on the first and third the “Annual Survey Report on Visitors floors were renovated. The Taipei Impression Expenditure and Trends in Taipei City” through Hall on the first floor features a giant silkscreen an outside contractor since July 2012, in order and modern projection technology to display to know why people travel to Taipei, where the infinite charm of changing Taipei. The City they go, their spending status while they stay Discovery Hall on the third floor, on the other in Taipei, their impression of Taipei, as well as hand, features Express City- A Relaxed Journey their satisfaction with the hotels they stay at. and covers the characteristics of Taipei and The results will help plan and improve tourism local travel and tourism highlights. The special facilities as well as service quality. The survey exhibition hall on the second floor housed three results were released for the first time in March special exhibitions in 2013: “Moments in Taipei,” 2013: Taipei became one of the cities most “LOOK TAIPEI – Taipei Travel Postcards,” and frequently visited in Taiwan by international “Sleepless in Taipei.” Altogether, the three travelers (up to 87.74%); the overall satisfaction exhibitions attracted more than 90,000 visitors. rate respondents had with hotels they stayed at in Taipei was up to 82.43%; and their favorite 3. Visitor Information Center “i” Top 5 sightseeing spots in 2012 were National Service Palace Museum, Ximending, Taipei 101, The Department of Information and Tourism Longshan Temple, and night markets. has established visitor information centers and 2. Taipei's First Stop – The Discovery Center of Taipei The Discovery Center of Taipei, located inside the city hall building, is the window into the City of Taipei for Taipei citizens and tourists. It guides visitors through the past, present, and future of Taipei through the exhibitions and vivid scenarios in an interactive way. The Discovery Theater on the fourth floor offers a 360° circular Taipei Pineapple Cake Cultural Festival 227

Friendly guiding sticker makes you feel Taipei’s “Sleepless in Taipei” Special Exhibition opening ceremony thoughtfulness.

visitor centers at transport hubs and tourist sites consecutive year at the top since 2009. The to link Taipei City’s travel service networks and visitor information center at the East Metro Mall strengthen travel information services. There also won first place in the individual category. are a total of 9 visitor information centers, one at Former individual winners included the visitor each at Taipei Main Station, Songshan Airport, information center at the MRT Ximen Station in MRT Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station, 2011 and that at the Taipei Main Station in 2012. Taipei City Hall Bus Station, East Metro Mall, This was the third year in a row for Taipei to win MRT Jiantan Station, MRT Beitou Station, MRT the first place in both the group and individual Ximen Station, and MRT Yuanshan Station; 4 categories. tourist centers at Miramar Entertainment Station, Plum Garden Station, Gondola Taipei Zoo 4. Training City Tour Guides Station, and Gondola Maokong Station; and 6 The Department of Information and Tourism visitor information stations at Zhangshan Temple held the 2013 City Tour Guide Training Program Station, Gondola Zhinan Temple Station, Taipei for guides at important sightseeing spots, those Children’s Recreation Center, Taipei 101, Grand holding professional certificates, and staff at View Resort Beitou, and URS44 Dadaocheng visitor information centers in Taipei. The program Studio. There were 1,660,000 people making consisted of both indoor and field activities and inquiries and taking advantage of these covered an introduction to the characteristics services in 2013. Around 3,330,000 sightseeing of Taipei as a diversified city from a practical documents were issued, and a headcount of perspective. The program also reinforced the more than 6,950,000 people made inquiries at skills and knowledge of field guides about the above stations. important and symbolic sightseeing spots in The “Friendly Guiding Sticker”, introduced Taipei. The 3 rounds of the training program had on April 18, 2013, has enabled travelers who a total of 210 participants. In addition, 3 rounds were lost or trying to transfer between public of the Taipei City Tour Experience were held in transportation tools in Taipei to seek assistance December, led by guides who had completed from Taipei citizens or ask nearby residents or the foregoing training program. conductors for directions to arrive safely at their destination. The Taipei Visitor Information Center was 5. Constructing All-Round Cloud ranked first place in a national appraisal of Mobile Sightseeing Services visitor center service quality conducted by the To reflect the increasing mobile travel Tourism Bureau, Minister of Transportation trend and to diversify the international tourism and Communications in 2013, marking its 5th perspectives of Taipei so that prospective Yearbook 228

travelers to Taipei can gain virtual travel recommended itineraries, delicacies and experiences and comprehensive tourism cuisines, and a travel map of Taipei. information, the following sightseeing services The Go Taipei foldout that is issued from have been provided: time to time and introduces the whole of Taipei in 4 languages, Chinese, English, Japanese, (1) Cloud Guided Tours and Korean, enables domestic and international A. Cloud guide systems are established and travelers to have an overview of classic promoted. sightseeing spots in Taipei. To promote local B. 720°panoramic view functions are tourism in areas such as Maokong, Bangka, installed at sightseeing spots in Taipei. and Beitou, the Department also added foldouts such as the following: the Maokong: A Golden (2) Mobile Voice-Guided Tours Journey to the Emerald Peaks brochure in A. Fixed-spot mobile voice-guided tours are English and Japanese; the Bangka-Beginning provided. of a Creative Journey in Chinese, English, and B. Mobile itinerary cloud guided tours are Japanese; and Discovering the Hot Springs provided. and Beauties of Beitou brochure in Chinese, English, and Japanese. All are meant to guide (3) Cloud DIY Itinerary Service travelers through characteristic sightseeing Function – DIY Itinerary spots in Taipei with their diversified and enriched contents. In addition, the City Star Hunter - Taipei The cloud sightseeing integration system Celebrity Tour pamphlet was also reformatted combines simulated and practical services (new and released. It is the first pamphlet that also guide-map signs and the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle combines discounts offered by stores and service Beitou Zhuzihu Route) as well as audio restaurants owned by celebrities. services (mobile audio guided tours) and visual The Department also released the Taipei services (the virtual reality tour guide system Pass at the exhibition hall) so that everyone visiting brochure in December 2013 to promote city Taipei can experience the excellent travel tourism and encourage more unrestricted visitors service. The 720° panoramic view feature and to tour Taipei via the city’s fast and convenient cloud DIY itinerary service make it possible to public transportation system. The brochure is provide more convenient value-added services. distributed with the purchase of a Taipei Pass ticket, which entitles the holder to unlimited rides 6. Providing Diversified Travel on the Taipei Metro and Taipei City/New Taipei City buses during the valid period. Brochures Materials were printed in Chinese, English, and Japanese To promote travel information throughout editions. The brochures introduce various Taipei, the Department of Information and themed tours and include coupons for discounts Tourism publishes Taipei Pictorial on a monthly on visitor attractions, souvenir gifts, shops, and basis, through which Taipei citizens and travelers hotels, ensuring travelers have a smooth tour of in Taipei can keep track of important information Taipei. on living in Taipei. The bi-monthly publication Discover Taipei in English and Japanese, on the 7. Installing Guide-Map Signs and other hand, offers internationals a way to know Taipei better. The foldout map in Spectacular Pedestrian Signage to Sightseeing Taipei , which is issued every second month Spots and comes in 4 languages, Chinese, English, To provide sound and detailed travel Japanese, and Korean, covers important events, information and construct a friendly and kind 229

travel environment, guide-map signs were set Zhuzihu Route.” The route features three theme up at important sightseeing spots and traffic buses. In addition, multi-lingual foldouts were points throughout Taipei in 2004. Also, to provide printed; bus stops along the route were added beautiful yet clear guidance at sightseeing spots, with sightseeing spot information; and Liu Ke- the Department of Information and Tourism Xiang, the famous writer, was invited to record continued to set up pedestrian signage to MRT audio tours. All are meant to add value to the stations, bus stops, and sightseeing spots in sightseeing service. This route officially became 2008 in order to guide tourists that travel among operative on June 30, 2013, transporting an them. A total of 219 guide-map signs and 406 average passenger headcount of around 1,500 pedestrian signs have been set up to this date. people a day and was rated third place among To refine guide-map signs and add multiple all the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle routes in 2013 by languages to them; an additional 25 pedestrian the Tourism Bureau. signs at sightseeing spots and 52 new guide- map signs were added in 2013. It is expected 10. Comfortable Quality that all of the original 219 guide-map signs will Accommodations be completely renewed in 2014. To ensure the safety of public hot spring baths, protect consumer rights and interests, 8. Constructing Beitou Eco-Museum develop tourism, and promote high-quality baths Park Mobile Audio Guide Service and sound industry development, the Department The Department of Information and Tourism of Information and Tourism has awarded 40 collaborated with the Batouliren Association in Taipei City hot spring operators with the “Hot Taipei. They applied the technology of Taiwan Springs Logo” in accordance with the Hot Spring Mobile and jointly constructed the Beitou Eco- Act and the Regulations Governing Application Museum Park Mobile Audio Guide Service to Use the Official Hot Springs Mark. Certified with 101 audio guide services in Chinese. In operators meet high standards for spring quality, addition, to provide international travelers with a spring water quality, sanitation management, diversified and friendly travel service platform, as well as hot spring facilities, building facilities, it has now included 41 additional services in buildings and fire safety, and are issued with the English and Japanese. QR codes were added logo to help the bathing public make an informed to these services and they were activated on September 28, 2013. Audio guide services are provided in Chinese, English, and Japanese, which sets a good example for collaboration among the public sector, non-governmental organizations, and private businesses. 9. Promoting Seamless Sightseeing Spot Travel Quality To promote sightseeing services in Taipei and create a seamless travel environment, the Taipei City Government, under the 2013 sponsorship program of the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communication for seamless travel services at sightseeing spots, transformed the existing “Small Route 9” to the “The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle service Beitou The Beitou Mobile Audio Tour Guide Service Yearbook 230

“Always More choice. Through this program, the government protects consumers and enables people to Part2 Delights” Tourism bathe with peace of mind. Resources To promote the quality of services provided by hotels in Taipei, the Department of Information and Tourism held 4 rounds of the 1. Marketing 101 Carefully Selected 2013 Hospitality Workshop. A total of 415 people from the hospitality industry took part. The Tourism Highlights in Taipei Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and The Department of Information and Tourism Communications, on the other hand, organized targets the Japanese market for its 101 the nationwide 2011 Hotel and Private Lodging Carefully Selected Tourism Highlights in Taipei Management and Assistance Performance publication. Three members on the Japanese Accreditation. The performance accreditation idol team, AKB 48, namely Katayama Haruka, started on October 15, 2012 and the results Ayaka Kikuchi, and Abe Maria, came to Taiwan were announced on February 22, 2013. The to film the “AKB 48 Travel to Taipei” program Department of Information and Tourism won first and attend the press conference in Taipei. place for the 4th year in a row. It also started to The program was broadcast on BS and CTC, sponsor hotels to help enhance public safety Japanese broadcasting networks. In addition, since 2009. By the end of 2013, a total of 154 international promotion was achieved by taking hotels had received the sponsorship. advantage of the JATA World Tourism Congress & Travel Fair, which successfully created 257 points of exposure on Taiwan media and 125 points of exposure on Japanese online media. The program was broadcast twice. 2. Encouraging Non-Governmental Organizations to Apply for Tourism Sponsorship Private organizations in Taipei that host tourism activities to advance the city's tourism industry and attract domestic and foreign tourists to Taipei, and who also meet certain

New guide-map signs set up in 2013 AKB48 filming a travel program at Bopiliao 231

requirements, can apply for subsidies from Palace Museum, Taipei 101 Observatory, and the Department of Information and Tourism, in Taipei Day Pass for MRT, and administrative accordance with the Regulations Governing assistance was also provided. Subsidies for Tourism activities in Taipei City. In addition, the Comprehensive Digital A total of 15 sightseeing events were sponsored Information Database was introduced in 2013 by the Department in 2013, including the “2013 to combine hotel and tourism resources and World Dance Council Asian Tour Taipei Open has over 680 entries of complete information (World Ranking Series Event),” the “2013 Beitou on venues for reference by international MICE Delicacies Festival,” the “2013 Taipei Pineapple organizers. Cake Cultural Festival-Taiwan Pastry Famous Shop Exhibition,” the “Vintage Market@ Dadaocheng,” the “2013 Read2us,” the “Taipei Nice Day! Living in Taipei Festival,” the “2013 Taipei Hot Spring Festival,” and the “River Cruises Nostalgic Mankah.” 3. Promoting International MICE Travel The Department of Information and Tourism continued to promote the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) industry in Taipei and provide sponsorship in Promoting friendly itineraries to Taipei at the Taipei accordance with the Guidelines for Sponsorship International Travel Fair of Organizations Conducting International Meetings, Exhibitions, and Incentive Travel – Taipei City Dept. of Information and Tourism. 4. Participating in Domestic and A total of 138 cases were approved in 2013. International Travel Fairs Among them were 84 international meetings, To reinforce the international promotion of 12 applications for international meetings, 28 tourism to Taipei, the Department of Information international exhibitions, and 14 to incentives. The and Tourism continued to join forces with highest sponsorship was worth NT$1,000,000. businesses in Taipei in taking part in domestic Sponsored items included tickets to the National and international well-known exhibitions and professional MICE events, or in organizing sightseeing promotion campaigns with “Taipei, Always More Delights!” as its theme in 2013. This has helped introduce tourism and MICE resources in Taipei to consumers or international buyers to accordingly increase international awareness of Taipei. Meanwhile, integrated promotional strategies and marketing packages were used to shape the image of Taipei as a city and create a tourism brand that attracts domestic and international travelers to Taipei. The 4 domestic travel fairs in 2013, namely the “Taipei International Spring Travel Fair,” “Taipei Tourism EXPO,” “Taipei International Travel Fair,” International corporations hold incentive travel to Taipei Yearbook 232

and “Tainan International Travel Fair,” gained 6. Beitou Park Centennial Events 210 entries of media coverage and attracted To boost the tourism industry in Beitou District more than 840,000 visitors. Internationally, the 6 and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Beitou international travel fairs and professional MICE Park, the Department of Information and Tourism events overseas, namely “Korea World Travel held the Beitou Park Centennial Race Press Fair,” “Beijing International Tourism Expo,” Conference on June 7, 2013, the Beitou Goose “ Tourism Festival,” “JATA World Stylish Fountain Reinstatement Ceremony on Tourism Congress & Travel Fair,” “IMEX, and IT June 14, 2013, and the Beitou Park Centennial & CMA” was covered 1,159 times by the media. Event on June 15, 2013. In addition, there were Altogether, these events attracted more than 8 rounds of the “Centennial Lecture Room 870,000 visitors. campaign” between June 22 and August 4, 5 Encouraging Independent 2013, with contents including hot spring culture, food culture, botanical ecology, movies culture, Travelers from Overseas to Taipei Taiwanese songs, and historic architecture The Department of Information and Tourism and sites, which helped present the views and introduced preferential deals under the project characteristics of Beitou. “Fun Taipei” for independent travelers from Korea and Singapore. Combining resources 7. Familiar Tours for Representatives such as travel agencies, airline companies, and from Press, Travel, and Tourism- tour operators, two to four-day tour packages at 40% off, discounts worth more than NT$65,000 Related Industries from 116 well-known stores in Taiwan, and the The Department of Information and Tourism Taipei Day Pass and lottery cards (with two-day held familiar tours for tour operators in 2013. and one-night free trip for independent travelers 6 major itineraries were planned. There were as the first prize) were available for independent 6 rounds in total, including 4 rounds of one- travelers. The offers were valid from May 30 day tours and 2 rounds of two-day tours. A to November 30 in 2013, which successfully total of 180 representatives participated in the attracted 12,000 overseas travelers to visit tours. Those invited were people in tourism- Taipei, creating NT$170,000,000 of tourism related business, representatives from the press revenue for Taipei. and tourism-related unions and associations, blog writers, and teachers in tourism-related departments. The tours were intended to develop in-depth travel and tourism development

Beitou goose-style fountainhead reinstatement and activation ceremony Familiar tours – Baoan Temple at Dalongdong 233

The Department of Information and Tourism took advantage of the Chinese New Year Special Editions of China Times and United Daily News by posting sightseeing information that combines city administration elements so that people around Taiwan could get travel information during the Chinese New Year vacation, and so the Taipei City Government could promote its city administration-related construction accomplishments. Between January and February 2013, United Evening News was used to promote travel information on 101 Taipei Puppet reunions on the streets on a summer day Musts . There were 11 pieces of news on famous sightseeing spots and their additional information in Taipei. A total of 55 travel businesses took in Taipei to help people around Taiwan gain part, 36 of which planned and designed familiar further knowledge of the fashion, humanity, tours-related itineraries into marketable package history, nature, among others, of Taipei and commodities, with a market introduction rate of successfully market tourism highlights in Taipei. 65％ . 10. Promulgating the Taipei Culture 8. Constructing Creative and Passport Diversified City Street Marketing The Department of Cultural Affairs, Taipei City and Advertising Facilities Government, has arranged the Taipei Culture To reinforce the benefits of existing facilities Passport activity since 2004 to promote Taipei's for people waiting for buses and accordingly cultural and tourism resources and encourage present a good impression of Taipei, diversify public participation in personalized and high- city landscapes, and promote commercial quality cultural experiences through walking activities, the Taipei City Government embarked tours. The passport introduces 79 cultural and on the Taipei City Marketing Street Signage tourism walking routes weaving together over Management project between September 13, 300 cultural, historic, and art attractions in Taipei. 2010 and September 12, 2013. The affiliated The 2013 Taipei Culture Passport event featured advertising space of facilities covered in primarily the theme, “Searching for Cultural this project was used by the Taipei City Memory in the City.” Combining the diverse Government to communicate city administration cultural characteristics in Taipei, 7 key activities accomplishments and was open for posting were planned, including 46 rounds of speeches, commercial advertisements and creative walks, handcraft workshops, documentary advertisements to energize non-governmental playing, and post-playing workshops, to present commercial activities and add an air of arts and the uniqueness of each characteristic. The literature to the streets. The advertisements Taipei Culture Passport contained text and contributed to an income worth around graphics and covered details such as the time NT$23,640,000. and place for each event. Even after events were completed, people could still use it to have a 9. Promoting City Administrative tour around Taipei and embark a small cultural adventure. Construction and Marketing Tourism Highlights through Print Channels Yearbook 234

Part3 Recreational Travel Resources

1. An Emerging Highlight of Beitou Youren’s death. It started on November 10, the date Mr. Yu Youren died 50 years ago, to display District – Yu Youren’s Plum 34 calligraphy works by Mr. Yu Youren, including Garden cursive script, regular script, semi-cursive script, The Beitou Plum Garden was officially and stone rubbings during his heyday, that is, opened to the public for free on January 7, from 1924 to 1964. Furthermore, domestic and 2010. To provide new travelers to Xinbeitou overseas experts and scholars who had been area with excellent services, the Department studying Mr. Yu Youren and his calligraphy art of Information and Tourism set up a tourist for years were invited to attend the calligraphy center at the Plum Garden to address travelers’ exchange workshop. The workshop was also enquiries. In addition, to help people get a better open to other representatives in the art and understanding of the historical significance literary worlds and the general public in love of the Plum Garden, the “Standing Historic with calligraphy art. A total of more than 440,000 Architecture Exhibition” at Beitou Plum Garden people visited the events in 2013. was also planned. The exhibition consists of 5 exhibits, namely “Beitou Travel, Rest, Fun,” 2. New Tourism Highlight in Songshan “Something about Plum Garden,” “Architecture District - Songshan - Dōgo Onsen Gallery,” “Tea House,” and “Remembering the Blessing Mechanical Clock Sage of Calligraphy –Yu Youren.” Among them, Songshan District in Taipei shares the same the “Architecture Gallery” and “Tea House” are name in as Matsuyama city special in-house exhibits with items on display in the Prefecture of Ehime, Japan. Exchange changing from time to time, including “Beitou between these two cities has been frequent Park under the Pen and Infinitely Happiness since 2009. To thank the devotion and assisting with Calligraphy Art” in 2013. “Infinitely Happy in the March 11 Earthquake from the Taiwanese Calligraphy Art,” in particular, is meant to people and the Songshan Ciyou Temple, and to remember the 50th anniversary of Mr. Yu

Ribbon cutting ceremony for the Songshan - Dōgo Onsen Blessing Plum Garden - Infinitely Happiness with Calligraphy Art Mechanical Clock 235

celebrate the 260th anniversary of the Songshan the promotion center for Muzha tea offers tea Ciyou Temple, Matsuyama city specially promotion classes and free tea culture guide made the Songshan - Dōgo Onsen Blessing services, and arranges tea culture camps Mechanical Clock and gave it to Taipei as a gift. at Chashan in Nangang, and other events, The mechanical clock is set up in front of the generating NT$20 million in additional income for Ciyou Temple in Songshan, on the square next tea farmers. to Songshan Elementary School. After its debut on October 13, 2013, it has become another 5. Recreational Farms new tourism highlight besides the Songshan There are 11 recreational farms in Taipei in Ciyou Temple and Raohe Street Night Market in total. To revive and promote the recreational Songshan District, Taipei City. farm industry in Taipei, the Department of Economic Development organized “Recreational 3. Zhuzihu Calla Lily Festival Farm Outings” and sponsored 7,000 private The Department of Economic Development and public elementary school and public created a calla lily landscape, between March kindergarten teachers and students to attend 22 and April 28, 2013, featuring famous Chinese the event. The hope is to enable teachers and and overseas love stories at each of the farms students to gain further knowledge about nature during the 2013 Zhuzihu Calla Lily Festival: and agriculture through the outings. Meeting Calla Lily and Love at the Corner. The Department also organized microfilms and 6. Taipei Farmer’s Market photography competitions. The approximate To promote quality agricultural products in number of visitors was 700,000. During the calla Taiwan and increase agricultural income for lily season, the production value of the flower farmers in Taipei, the Taipei City Government set and other flowers was worth NT$26,500,000. up the Taipei Farmer’s Market in the Taipei Expo The festival was also tremendously helpful for Park. Individual county and city governments, the development of Zhuzihu and its surrounding farmers’ associations at all levels, and the area, and has helped create an income Indigenous Peoples Commission collaborated of around NT$126,000,000 for the latter. It and planned 100 display stands. They successfully transformed the calla lily industry introduced fresh produce from local farmers and from the production aspect to eco-travel that is sold them directly without intermediaries. These part of green economics, attracted increased stands sold fair-priced processed or natural income for local flower growers, offered Taipei agricultural products. The Farmer’s Market citizens an optimal place to go for leisure, and is available every weekend in the Yuanshan accomplished the urban marketing purpose of Park Area of the Taipei Expo Park and is well Taipei. It is a successful example of industrial upgrade and transformation of the agricultural industry. 4. Muzha Tieh Kuan-Yin Tea and Nangang Pao-Chong Tea The Department of Economic Development organizes competitions, exhibitions, and marketing activities every spring and winter to promote Taipei's high-grade Muzha Tieh Kuan- yin and Nangang Pao-chong tea industries and to encourage tea improvement. In addition, Recreational farm outings Yearbook 236

received by Taipei citizens. In 2013, nearly all counties and cities throughout Taiwan set up a stand at the Taipei Farmer’s Market and sold their agricultural or fishing products. Business opportunities worth more than NT$ 100 million were created. Preliminary estimations say that a total of more than 1,060,000 people visited the farmer’s market. 7. The Jianguo Holiday Flower Market The mayors of Taipei and New Taipei jointly promoting quality agricultural products The Jianguo Holiday Flower Market is located on the block between Renai Road and Xinyi Road underneath the Jianguo Overpass. It is in Asia, not only accommodates the distribution a market for flowers and other related retail of flowers, but also related landscaping and businesses on weekends. 31 years have passed flower gardening workshops and DIY classes since it was first set up on October 9, 1982. for those wishing to grow pot plants on their This, the largest retail marketplace for flowers own. For the past few years, the focus has been

Table 1 An Overview of Recreational Farms in Taipei Farm address Characteristics of the Farm No.18, Ln. 131, Jingshan Rd., Futian village Eco- Cherry blossoms, guided ecological tours, DIY, and Shilin Dist., Taipei City 111, education Leisure Farm package deals Taiwan (R.O.C.) No.30, Ln. 45, Laoquan St., Xing Hua Lin Leisure Apricot blossoms cutting at NT$200 or more for one Wenshan Dist., Taipei City 116, Farm handful, tea leaves baking Taiwan (R.O.C.) No.206, Dahu St., Neihu Dist., Country Leisure Farm Beetle hall, DIY, tankan Taipei City 114, Taiwan (R.O.C.) No.11, Ln. 122, Sec. 2, Jiuzhuang Chunxuan Leisure St., Nangang Dist., Taipei City Chinese toon, vanilla plants, DIY Farm 115, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Ri Yue Man Leisure No.150, Pingjing St., Shilin Dist., Tankan, vegetables, old canal ecological tours and Farm Taipei City 111, Taiwan (R.O.C.) package deals No.39, Ln. 355, Fuxing 3rd Rd., Er-Chi Leisure Farm Beitou Dist., Taipei City 112, Vegetables and package deals Taiwan (R.O.C.) Refreshing No.206, Dahu St., Neihu Dist., Picking strawberries, mushrooms, Mandarin oranges, （Ching-Hsiang） Taipei City 114, Taiwan (R.O.C.) sweet potatoes, DIY Leisure Farm White Rock Leisure No.58, Bishan Rd., Neihu Dist., Organic vegetables, guided ecological tours, DIY, Farm Taipei City 114, Taiwan (R.O.C.) package deals No.33-8, Ln. 34, Sec. 3, Zhinan Camphor Lake Nature Producing organic vegetables, fruits, and tea leaves Rd., Wenshan Dist., Taipei City Farm and organizing guided agricultural tours 116, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Creative and health-preserving cuisines that combine No.27, Ln. 26, Laoquan St., family coziness and modern health preservation Fong-Lin Healthy Farm Wenshan Dist., Taipei City 116, ideas, a modern delicacy garden filled with flowers Taiwan (R.O.C.) and greenery Bai-Tai-Yuan Leisure No.77, Lixian Rd., Beitou Dist., Garden trees are grown on the farm. Most of them are Farm Taipei City 112, Taiwan (R.O.C.) pot plants of high-end trees and landscaping trees 237

placed on reinforcing international floral industry 9. Ecological Lifestyles and exchange. The Daikonshima peony on display through collaboration with Matsue City, Shimane Recreational Choices Prefecture, Japan, attracted nearly 120,000 Dahu Neighborhood in Neihu District is known visitors. In addition, after the September 21 for its unparalleled urban sedimentation pool in Earthquake and the August 8 Storm Disaster, the Taiwan. The Hydraulic Engineering Office, Public “agriculture window” was set up at the Jianguo Works Department, Taipei City Government Holiday Flower Market to help other farmers built the pool by Dagou Stream adopting an throughout Taiwan sell agricultural products. ecological approach. The existing path by Dagou Farmers’ organizations from other counties and Stream is retained. There is also the pedestrian cities in Taiwan are provided a venue where trail paved with natural stones and an ecological they can promote their agricultural products. The wetland by the stream to facilitate people getting measure is well received by people. close to the water. In addition, during the non- flood season, the Hydraulic Engineering Office will plan a sea of flowers covering around 4,000 8. Riverside Bikeways Combined 2 with Micro-Trip m in area within the gradual-sloped green land inside the pool. Taking advantage of the belt- There are currently 6 routes on the Riverside shaped curve, the natural landscape is created Bikeway in Taipei. Together they form a complete by flowers of different colors. It is a park area and integrated network that is 112 km in length that combines ecology and water treatment in and combines the cycling route around Taipei one. along the riverside. In addition, it can be connected with the Riverside Bikeway in New Taipei City through 9 relevant bridges. Along the way is the Shezi Island Riverside Park featuring a wetland and guided ecological tours; Dajia Riverside Park that emphasizes parent-child relationship and hydrophilicity; the Rainbow Bridge Riverside Park with a focus on romance; and the seas of flowers at Caihong, Guting, Yanping, Heshuang 21, and Machangding, etc. The overall area comes to 29,000 m2. Taipei citizens and tourists can take advantage of the convenient bicycle rental system and go on a micro-trip around Taipei. Sea of flowers at Dajia Riverside Park

Rainbow Bridge Romance Theme Park Panorama of Dagou Stream Water Improvement Park Yearbook 238

Blue Cruises – Queen Ferry Blue Cruises “Magic Cruise” Itinerary

10. Diversified Blue Cruises Services the original safe and convenient transportation function, it has also renewed guardrails by Since Blue Cruises became operative on industrial roads on a yearly basis in accordance February 7, 2004, investment has continued to with industrial characteristics in each locality. improve the river condition and views by the In addition, the office started the project aiming riverside. As businesses introduce new ways to separate pedestrian and vehicle flows at to have fun traveling on board the Blue Cruises narrow parts of specific industrial roads in 2013 and new marketing channels, these Blue Cruises by building sightseeing spots along industrial have gradually transformed to become tourism roads that combine local features in order to and recreational services, and a new choice for enhance the overall quality and offer people a people wishing to go on recreational tours. quality mountain-friendly environment. In the To promote travel on board the Blue Cruises, future, efforts will be continued in order to create the Taipei City Public Transportation Office views along each theme highway reflective of introduced exquisite Blue Cruises itineraries local features and effectively develop and utilize in 2013. There were professional tour guides the hill land to bring tourism value for each for these itineraries that combined aquatic area and accomplish the goal of sustainable and continental views in the surroundings of environmental protection and development. the piers in order for participants to have an unprecedented travel experience and make 12. Creating Green Ecology – traveling on board the Blue Cruises more fun and make sightseeing-oriented recreation more Characteristic Mountain-Climbing valuable. Nighttime cruises and characteristic Rails cruises featuring theme performances were In order to provide Taipei citizens with a introduced in 2013. Together, they attracted better quality and healthy life and in response around 20,000 participants. 11. Recreating the Beauty of Maokong, the Hometown for Tea In order to offer Taipei citizens more options when it comes to suburban leisure and recreation and to boost industrial development in the Maokong area, the Geotechnical Engineering Office of the Public Works Department built the network system to facilitate pedestrians and vehicles traveling in the mountain areas of Taipei, provided people with mountain- friendly recreational services, and improved and Rest areas at Caiyun Pavilion and Mingjing Pond along the maintained industrial roads. Besides maintaining camphor trail 239

to the LOHAS trend and needs of people for recreational travel, the Geotechnical Engineering Office of the Public Works Department has proactively consolidated its mountain-friendly policies by improving green leisure space and creating a friendlier and more ecological environment along the 130 mountain-climbing trails throughout Taipei, which are around 100 km long in total. Taking advantage of the idea of “one trail one characteristic”, diversified natural, ecological, humanistic, and historical characteristics, the trails are consolidated through the renewal of facilities, beautification of the environment, and creation of sightseeing spots, to realize quality mountain-friendly The Zhinan Scenic Area and Maokong Gondola environmental goals. In 2013, new facilities were built along the Bihu hiking trail in Neihu District. The Bihu trail, combined with characteristics of ecology and humanity, is primarily designed to offer people more fun and abundant experience while hunting treasure into mountains. In addition, the circular trail around Camphor Lake was completed for citizens to travel around. Moreover, for physically disadvantaged people such as the elderly and young children, there is the “slow-sloped friendly hiking trail” to make the environment by the mountain even more accessible.

13. Gathering Religions and Watching and listening to the sound of waterfalls and playing Humanity and Enjoying the with the stones along the Literature Trail Zhinan Scenic Area heads and local powerful people to hold The Zhinan Scenic Area is one of the existing planning hearings from time to time and started three scenic areas in Taipei and also one of the to restore recreational facilities on a yearly basis. recreational sites filled with the most religious and In 2013, the focus was on Zhinan Recreational cultural air. At its center is the popular Zhinan Park. 12 sites were carefully selected in the Temple. Since the Geotechnical Engineering Scenic Area to be the 12 horoscope artistic rest Office of the Public Works Department was areas. Along with a variety of flowers, grass, and established in 2010, the office has been other plants, each of the sites is filled with an proactively creating rest sites in the Zhinan active and lively air. It is meant to reinforce the Scenic Area. To provide the public with better fun of parents and children traveling together. quality recreation and to combine local cultural features, a professional consulting group was specially invited to conduct a field investigation 14. Characteristic Five Trails by the and collect information to accordingly come up Stream at Zhuzihu with the overall planning theme of “Omnipresent Zhuzihu is an important sightseeing spot Zhinan in Life.” Meanwhile it invited neighborhood within National Park. It was Yearbook 240

15. Reviving the Baishihu Agricultural Tourism Park Neihu's Baishihu Community is the only strawberry park for tourism in Taipei. After development and guidance from the Taipei City Government, this area has been transformed into a multifunctional recreation farm and a new holiday hot spot for city residents. Phased improvements under agricultural environmental improvement projects have linked the landmark Baishihu Suspension Bridge, ecological wetlands, Guzhuipi Agricultural Pond, and other hot spots along the Wishing Trail. After the improvement project was completed, these sightseeing spots have become emerging A walk along the circular trail at the bottom of the lake enables one to appreciate the views of rice terraces tourism choices. The goal of recreating the cityscape is accomplished. In addition, in order for construction results originally planned for preventing floods. For to reach other agricultural communities on hill streams and gutters that are more widespread land, a total of 8 workshops were organized in in area, however, the recreational function was Neihu, Shilin, Beitou, and Nangang in 2013. added by means of restoration and another goal These workshops were meant to put local is to improve economic benefits. Restoration residents’ desires in perspective while overall accomplishments have helped add to the improvements are being planned, so that publicity of professional vegetables and flowers the agricultural characteristics of each of the sections. The various leisure and arts events communities can be integrated, the unique looks organized during flower seasons combine the of each community can be explored, community sensible humanistic activities in the ecological cohesion can be consolidated, community drive environment and have also contributed to the can be re-activated, and a rest area combining diversity and romantic color of the streams and both leisure and the air of an agricultural village gutters at Zhuzihu. can take shape. To let visitors know about the stream and gutter improvement results while they enjoy every Conclusion part of Zhuzihu, the Public Works Department, The Taipei City Government thoughtfully Taipei City Government planned the Dinghu provides a quality travel environment and sound Circular Trail, Calla Lily Circular Trail, Literature travel sources, while at the same time organizing Trail, the circular trail at the bottom of the lake, all kinds of sightseeing events, in an effort to and the Zhuzihu Circular Trail. These 5 trails are promote and market the abundant sightseeing all located to reflect the different views along resources in Taipei and successfully create different portions of Zhuzihu Stream, Yangming Taipei as a tourism brand. The hope is that more Stream, and each of their tributaries. The unique domestic and international travelers will come to topography enables visitors to appreciate the Taipei to feel its charm of “Always More Delights” views, the mountains, the flowers, and hear through comprehensive travel services and the sound of water while they go on a different promotions. Zhuzihu tour.