2023年1月3日 星期二

Xinhua District, Tainan City 台南市新化區


Xinhua is north of Guanmiao and Longqi.  The western half consists of farms and small factories, while the eastern half is where the mountains begin. 新化區位於關廟 、 龍崎北部 。  新化西邊主要是農場跟小工廠 , 東邊則是山區 。

Xinhua has a long history, and has been a distribution center for local farmers since at least the Qing Dynasty.  In older times it was known as "Damujiang" (Tavocan), a name given to it by the Siraya Tribe.  There are Siraya villages in Xinhua to this day. 新化的歷史久遠 , 清朝的時候就是周邊鄉鎮的農產品集散中心 ,  更之前,新化西拉雅族的 "大目降"。 目前新化區仍有西拉雅部落 。

According to the last census, 43,418 people live in Xinhua. 上次人口統計表示: 新化的人口是43,418人 。


This is the "Gua Gua Garden" Sweet Potato Tourist Factory, also known as the Sweet Potato Ecological Story Hall.  A variety of sweet potato products are sold here.  It's south of central Xinhua. 這裡是新化市區南部的瓜瓜園地瓜生態故事館 。  這裡販賣很多不同種類的地瓜產品。   


There's a small museum next to the store.  I would strongly urge you to NOT buy the sweet potato tea. 商店旁邊有一個小博物館 。  我強烈建議不要買店裡的地瓜茶 。


This is inside the museum.  As these types of places go this place is very clean and well organized.  There's a small concession area selling pizza, sweet potato fries and other snacks near the entrance. 這是博物館裡面 。  我覺得這裡很乾淨,又整理得好 。  他們館外有個小廚房賣披薩 、 地瓜薯條跟其他小吃 。

On my way out I bought a bag of the spicy sweet potato chips.  They weren't bad.  Sweet potato wine?  Not interested. 出來的時候我買了一袋辣味地瓜酥,  我覺得不錯 。  地瓜酒呢 ?  我沒有興趣 !


We found this temple down an alley near the Xinhua Old Street.  It dates back to the 1700s, and many of its architectural details are very interesting. 這棟廟宇靠近新化老街 , 它有三百多年的歷史 。  建築很有特色也很有意思 。


Tainan is a place where Taiwan's history feels very much alive. 台南是個能在生活中感受到歷史的地方。


Around the corner from the temple.  If I lived here I doubt I'd own a car. 廟的後面 。  我如果住在這個地區的話 ,我大概不要開車 。


The Yangkuei Literature Memorial Hall, celebrating the life and works of a famous local writer.  It's within walking distance of the Xinhua Old Street. 從新化老街走到楊逵文學紀念館很近。


The Township Hall Restaurant.  We briefly considered eating here, but decided against it.  I haven't had good luck with Western-style restaurants in rural areas.  For all I know the food here is excellent, but in this case I felt like the odds were against me. 這個歷史建築地標是家餐廳 。  我們原來想在這裡吃午餐,只是我們在鄉下地方吃西方料理的經驗不太好,所以後來決定不要了。 有可能這裡的料理超好吃 , 只是那時候我覺得自己的運氣不會那麼好 。


The Xinhua Old Street.  This is one of the better preserved old streets I've been to, and if you've been following this blog for a while you'll know that I've been to A LOT of old streets. 新化老街 。  我逛過很多老街 , 我覺得這條老街維護發展得不錯 。


Your first thought might be "sex shop" but no, these modes of support are meant for injured or aging bodies.  For many local residents years of farming have taken a toll. 你會以為這是情趣商店 , 錯了,這裡才不是 !  他們主要賣給年長者或受傷的人 ,  當然農夫也是他們的重要客戶。


Toward the eastern end of the district is the Xinhua Tree Farm, which is managed by Taichung's Jungxing University.  It's a surprisingly scenic place, and MUCH better than the nearby Forest Park in Guanmiao. 往新化區的東部,你會來到中興大學管理的新化林場 。  這裡的風景很不錯 ,也比附近的關廟森林公園好很多。

Thankfully we didn't see any monkeys.  I hate monkeys.  Snakes and stinging insects I can deal with, but I despise monkeys. 還好我們沒有碰上猴子 ,  我很討厭猴子 。  我可以接受蛇和毒蟲, 可是我痛恨猴子。


We walked through about half of this place, and I was most impressed by the wetland area.  I wouldn't mind visiting again and exploring the rest of it. 我們只走了一半的林場, 我覺得濕地是最美的部分 ,  改天我還想回去走另外一半 。


Still further east is the Siraya Green Valley, a spot popular with local hikers.  This is where the mountains really start, and the road to this place is a mix of cemeteries, strange temples and aboriginal villages. 更往東邊有綠谷西拉雅 。  很多人從這裡開始登山 ,往這邊的路上有公墓 、 廟宇跟原住民的部落 。


Just look at those trees.  Part of me wanted to hike in a little ways, but I was a little tired from the Tree Farm. 樹林很美 。  我想走近一點 , 可是剛剛的林場健行已經讓我夠累了 。


Back west a little ways is the Hutoupi Reservoir.  Hutoupi is Taiwan's oldest reservoir and a popular recreation site in the summer.  As it was the cold wind was blowing off the water, the place was packed, and we didn't stay long. 迴轉往西邊是虎頭埤水庫 。  虎頭埤是台灣最舊的水庫 , 夏天是熱鬧的休閒景點 。  從水面上吹過來的風很冷 , 而且到處都是人, 所以我們在那裏停留的時間很短 。

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