National Parks of Taiwan

Black-faced spoonbill! Black-faced spoonbill! Fly to Cengwen River because you are our welcomed guests. TJNP will be hosting the “Happy Bike Travel Taijiang with Black-Faced Spoonbills on November 14 – Support Conservation by Taking Action to Protect Our Wetland” event for the first time on November 14, 2015. Each year, when the fall wind picks up, it is hoped that the energy-saving and carbon-reducing sport of cycling will welcome the precious migratory birds spearheaded by black-faced spoonbills to visit Taiwan. In doing so, we aim to encourage more people to join the ranks of conservation to live in harmony with Mother Nature in the spirit of LOHAS. More than 1,600 people from across the country joined the event. Albeit the weather was slightly chilly in the early autumn morning, it was not enough to deter the passion of the participants, and they called upon friends and family to muster at the south side square of Sicao Bridge in Anping. The event kicked off with the warm-up exercise, which was conducted amid a festive ambiance. Together, many dignitaries blasted their air horns to start the cycling event to the enthusiastic participants. These included: TNJP Director Chang Wei-chuan, Tainan City Deputy Mayor Yen Chun-tso, Legislators Chen Ting-fei, Yeh I-chin, Huang Wei-che, Chen Shu-hui, Councilors Wang Chin-te, Li Chung-tsen, Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau Deputy Director Lin Kuo-hua, Qigu District Mayor Chuang Ming-hao, Commander of the Seventh Division, The Seventh Special Police Corps., National Policy Agency Wu Ching-nan, Director of Hwang Sun Enterprise Co. Ltd. Huang Huang-cheng, 14 Borough Chiefs and the Director of Taijiang Home Protection Circle. On the day of the event, the participants were divided into two categories: Family (21km) and Challenge (53km). The journey took them to the Annan and Qigu area of TJNP. The Family group embarked on a religious and cultural journey, where they visited Sicao Dazhong Temple, Salt Pan Eco-village, Luermen Tianhou Temple, Luermen Matsu Temple before returning to the point of departure. The Challenge group continued on to Zhengwang Temple, bird-watching pavilion, Guosheng Lighthouse, Nanwan Wharf, Liukong Station, Hailiao mangroves and Shinan Agricultural Leisure Area. Along the way, the cyclists can appreciate picturesque landscapes such as the ever-changing shoals, Qigu Lagoon, Mangroves, Aquatic plants, Oyster racks, Mudskippers and the Cengwen River estuary. On their bicycles, they participates are able to enjoy the sea breeze caressing their faces while observing the graceful sight of black-faced spoonbills. At the event venue, there were also performances such by black-faced spoonbill angel squad, little band, San-Gu Elementary School Chinese orchestra as well as early bird gifts, pop quiz and lottery gifts, which were sponsored by community partners, temples and enterprises sharing the same passion for conservation. In addition, other interesting activities including creative holiday market, authentic local flavored seafood porridge, and the beauty of Taijiang family painting exhibition will also be organized. Thanks to the enthusiastic support from our long-term partners, we were able to accomplish our mission successfully. “Happy Bike Travel Taijiang with Black-Faced Spoonbills” is not a one-off event, the message we want to convey is to hope that all the participants will be able to appreciate the unique values and substance of the national park, in turn gain further understanding about the new generation of national parks. Besides maintaining environmental ecology, promoting the concept of conservation and preserving culture and history, community resources and strengths are integrated to create new opportunities for coexistence, common prosperity and symbiosis. During the Black-Faced Spoonbill Festival (from October to March the following year), TJNP will continue to organize various activities, including: Visiting Taijiang, Remembering Taijiang, Roaming Taijiang, Handicraft of Taijiang, Story of Taijiang and Children’s Toys of Taijiang. We welcome the public to browse TJNP’s website to keep up-to-date with the latest information and sign up for activities. Amid the sound of air horns and a joyous mood, Director Chang led the participates to embark on the bicycle journey We are ready to leave, let’s take a group photo Creative artworks from community moms – thanks to their involvement, the activities are more interesting and diversified We successfully challenged the Family group bicycle tour The Challenge group completed 53km effortlessly