Kinmen Sorghum Broom-Making Experience, Fun for the Whole Family
During the summer vacation, the Kinmen National Park Headquarters launched the "Sweep Away the Pandemic Together" event. It offered DIY classes to make a practical yet also arty broom, allowing three generations of family members to experience the wisdom of their ancestors' traditional crafts while also symbolizing the sweeping away of the pandemic.
The outlying island of Kinmen is known for its sorghum production, and around October each year, the yellow sorghum fields bear a bountiful harvest. After harvesting, the sorghum is made into fragrant sorghum or Kaoliang liquor, and the sorghum stalks are made into brooms using a traditional technique that reflects life in the region in the olden days.
The sorghum broom symbolizes the life of the common people of Kinmen, and although it is no longer common, there are still visitors who buy it as a souvenir. The 3-Generation National Park Family Trip event series has received many positive reviews since its launch. In order to relieve the stress brought about by the pandemic, the elders of the Shanhou community who produce the traditional brooms were invited to give detailed lessons on how to make the unique hand-made brooms by bundling stalks.
This year, the Ancestral Hall of the Wang Family in the Shanhou Folk Culture Village was chosen as the venue for the DIY activity. It was hoped for the course to allow everyone to learn about the history of the overseas Chinese village and the old residential buildings in Kinmen, as well as the beauty of Hokkien architecture.
See Flowers and Explore the Secrets of the Mountain and Moon at Taroko, Immerse Yourself in the Tranquil Mountain Air
The Bulowan Recreation Area of the Taroko National Park Headquarters is located on the Bulowan tableland at the lower reaches of the Liwu River, where the Truku Craft Exhibition Hall is set up to showcase exquisite works such as hand-woven cloth and rattan weaving techniques. This year's "Vibrant Taroko—A Date to See Flowers and Explore the Secrets of the Mountain and Moon" event series is planned for spring and autumn, when visitors can experience the changing seasons of the gorge.
The events are divided into three themes: "Exploring the Vibrant Plants and Culture of Bulowan", "Meeting the Bulowan Mountain Moon Bridge", and "Exploring Nature on Meander Core Park Trail". The activities were led by seasoned guides and entire families explored the trails and observed nature together.
Event registration took place at the front corridor area of the Bulowan Visitor Service Station at Taroko Gorge. After taking a group photo at the pine lawn, the event proceeded with the three themed tours in order. The families that took part had a great time interacting with each other and benefited a lot from the introduction on the natural environment and culture of Bulowan through the help of picture cards.
In the spring, the Formosa lilies are in full bloom in Bulowan, while in autumn, the saved golden spider lily, Taitung firethorn, and green maple plants take center stage. From the Bulowan Suspension Bridge, you can see Liwu River and Taroko Gorge, Swallow Grotto, Sanjiaozhui Mountain, Zhuilu Old Trail, and the entire Bulowan tableland.
The Taroko National Park Headquarters is committed to promoting activities for the entire family, allowing people of all ages to make good use of the friendly environment and accessible facilities in the National Park to enhance family interaction, allow them to travel and learn together, and improve their understanding of the natural environment.
