Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park


Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park
Photo courtesy of Taichung City Government

Chinese name
:
東勢客家文化園區
Located at: Taichung County (Central Taiwan)
Year of Establishment: 2004
Address: 1, Zhongshan Road, Dongshi District, Taichung City, Taiwan

The Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park has a Hakka architectural style. The park’s museum houses Hakka cultural relics and holds occasional exhibitions under the themes of food, clothing, housing, travel, education and entertainment to introduce the industries, language and cultural features of Hakka people. It has become a popular tourist attraction in recent years.

outside of Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park
Photo courtesy of Taichung City Government


In support of the construction
of the East-West cross-island highways and the development of Dasyueshan forest resources, the Dongshi Railway Line was once a prosperous railway line. It gradually declined after its operation ended in 1991. In view of Dongshi being an important Hakka settlement, coupled with the increasing importance placed on multiculturalism in recent years, the Taichung City Government collaborated with the Taiwan Railway Administration in 2004 to transform the Dongshi old railway station into the Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park, aiming to preserve Hakka culture.

interior of Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park
Photo courtesy of Taichung City Government


Due to the outdated equipment in the station, most of the station structures have been demolished. However, during the remodeling, the station’s waiting room was transformed into an exhibition room and the long benches passengers used to sit on to wait for the trains were deliberately kept, so that museum visitors can experience the nostalgia of waiting for the train in the old days. In addition, visitors to the park can also take a replica of the 1:1 Tengyun train and experience the unique charm of Taiwan's first steam train.

Behind the Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park is the Dongfeng Bicycle Greenway. It’s the first bicycle path in the country that was converted from an abandoned railway. With a total length of 12 kilometers, there are green beautifications on both sides of the path. The greenery along the route is beautiful, and the scenery is pleasant. After it was opened in 2000, it became a weekend recreation destination for the Taichung area.

The Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park is also the venue for the traditional Hakka Xin Ding Ban Festival (新丁粄節), held in February each year to pray in celebration of newborn babies. Since two years ago, the Ciao Sheng Sian Shih Culture Festival (巧聖仙師文化祭), dedicated to honoring the ancient pioneering craftsman Lu Ban, has also been held here.

In recent years, a “Resident Work Station” has been set up to activate the park's idle space. It provides local information to visitors, and has a good grasp of existing Hakka cultural assets, unique industries and local life. Moreover, the park also serves as a base to promote local culture and specialty products, so that young people in the area can organize arts and cultural activities, participatory workshops, and special topic forums, etc. Through various activities, this space enables the encouragement of Hakka youth to participate in cultural creations, revitalizes the local community, and unites the professionals of community development.