Hualien in the News 花蓮的新聞 (South 南) 3

1. Wanrong Township 萬榮鄉

1a. A 3.6 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Wanrong two weeks ago. 12月13日5時13分  規模3.6  花蓮縣政府西南方  31.5公里 (位於花蓮縣萬榮鄉)

1b. Mayuan Village in Wanrong was among 10 communities certified as "self-reliant" in terms of disaster prevention by the Ministry of Agriculture. The goal of this certification is the promotion of community-based disaster prevention policies. 花蓮縣10處社區通過優質自主防災認證 

2. Guangfu Township 光復鄉

2a. The Guangfu Township Women's Association held a "women's growth workshop" which included workshops, a lunch and an outdoor excursion.  A stated goal of this workshop was "relieving stress" following the recent flood in that area and subsequent recovery efforts. 花蓮縣光復鄉婦女會辦理 ...

2b. Lions Club International and the Catholic Good Shepherd Social Welfare Foundation conducted a "disaster relief operation."  Most of this operation involved dispensing daily essentials to residents. 世紀國際獅子會赴花蓮光復鄉發放物資

2c. Volunteers in Lienchiang (Matsu) County launched a charity drive to help Guangfu farmers recovering from the flood.  蓮光復災農民  連江縣民眾服務社  , 青年志工協會發起愛心行動

3. Fengbin Township 豐濱鄉

3a. The Fengbin Township Office hosted a book launch for a locally authored cookbook showcasing ingredients obtainable in the area. 豐濱山海在地食材文化記憶食譜

3b. A Christmas concert was held in Fengbin on December 19th. 光影耶誕嘉年華點亮豐濱夜晚  ...

4. Ruisui Township 瑞穗鄉

4a. A new hot spring hotel, The Ruisui Tianhe International Tourist Hotel, was recently opened in the township with the cooperation of the Forestry Bureau.  Warning: it's not cheap. 森林溫泉療癒系飯店 "天成逸旅 - 蝴蝶谷"  試營運 "遊" 多款惠

4b. A truck driver lost control of his vehicle just off Highway 9.  He was briefly trapped inside the truck after it overturned, and was taken to the hospital soon after. 瑞穗鄉台九線二百五十三公里發生A2交通事故

4c. Hu Ren-shun (DPP), Director of the South Service Office, will run for the office of Legislator representing Ruisui Township. 胡仁順 , 歐彥志 , 邱治翔黨內登記參選縣議員 , 花蓮市代 , 瑞穗鄉代

5. Zhuoxi Township 桌溪鄉

5a. No recent news out of Zhuoxi.

6. Yuli Municipality 玉里鎮

6a. The Pushr Arts Hall recently held a workshop in which residents created art pieces using local stones. 玉里鎮璞石藝術工作坊

6b. An ostrich escaped its keeper and ran around the streets of Yuli for around a half hour before it was caught. 花蓮玉里鴕鳥疑受嚇逃家  街頭狂奔半小時落網

7. Fuli Township 富里鄉

7a. The Wenzidong Bridge, damaged during flooding in 2023, was recently reopened to traffic. 花蓮縣富里鄉蚊仔洞橋重建64米雙車道通車  徐榛蔚感謝團隊辛勞付出

7b. Several straw animals are on display behind the Fuli Township Farmer's Association on Highway 9. 花蓮富里鄉  稻草喵樂園 (1)

7c. The Fuli Multipurpose Center and the Senior Citizen's Cultural and Recreational Center will be renovated next year at a cost of $50 million NT. 富里鄉多功能中心明年年底亮相

Related Entries 相關的文章:

Guangfu and Wanrong Townships, Hualien County 花蓮縣光復跟萬榮鄉

Taitung in the News 台東的新聞 (North 北) 3

Tainan in the News 台南的新聞 (South 南) 8

Hualien in the News 花蓮的新聞 (North 北) 3

NOTE: This will be the last entry on Hualien for a while.  I've covered the southern half of the county and I'd like to move on to the rest of Taitung, Kaohsiung and Tainan.

1. I was there not long ago.  If you're looking for IG-worthy spots in Fuli this would be the place to go.

Guangfu and Wanrong Townships, Hualien County 花蓮縣光復跟萬榮鄉

I did what I could.  As most readers are aware, the flood in Guangfu caused a lot of property damage, and many residents of that township lost their lives in the flooding.  Driving through the area is far from convenient even now, and I wasn't about to damage a rented scooter (or myself) on narrow, muddy roads. 我盡力了!  大部分的讀者應該知道發生在光復的水災，很多地方被破壞了 ， 也有很多人喪失生命。  目前光復有的地方的路況還很差 ， 我也不願意冒著危險把租的機車騎上有泥土的鄉路 。

Guangfu is north of Ruisui, and Wanrong is west of both Ruisui and Guangfu.  According to the last census, 12,493 people live in Guangfu, and 6,282 people live in Wanrong. 光復位於瑞穗北部 ， 萬榮位於光復跟瑞穗西部 。 上次光復的人口統計是12,493人， 萬榮的人口是6,282人 。

From the south, the easiest way to get to Guangfu is to take a train to Ruisui, rent a scooter, and drive the rest of the way there.  It's a very beautiful drive, but with so much traffic diverted onto Highway 193 it's a little dangerous. 從南邊去光復，最簡單的方法是坐火車到瑞穗 ， 然後在瑞穗租機車騎去光復 。  193線風景很美 ， 可是最近台9線不通車 ，所以193線車變多了 ， 有點危險 。

The picture above was taken just over the township line from Ruisui.  Those mountains in the distance, part of Taiwan's Central Mountain Range, are in Wanrong. 上面的照片是剛過瑞穗鄉界的時候拍的 ， 遠處的山是中央山脈， 也是萬榮的一部分。

Our original destination was the Wanrong Train Station, but on the other side of Central Guangfu Highway 193 became impractical.  Instead we headed west to the Guangfu Train Station, a place that's been on the news a lot lately. 我們原來的目的地是萬榮車站 ， 只是光復市區另外一邊的193線不好騎 ， 所以改變計畫去最近常出現在新聞中的光復車站 。

Why didn't we just take the train to Guangfu?  Only the slower trains stop there, and from Taitung City that trip would have taken forever. 我們為什麼沒有直接坐火車到光復呢 ?  因為我們出發的時間只有區間車停靠光復 ， 我們不想花那麼長的時間坐車。

Thanks to the efforts of countless volunteers and emergency service personnel Central Guangfu looks, for the most part, like it always did, but a lot of the businesses here still haven't reopened.  The 7-11, Family Mart and Zhengyi Variety Store were all in operation during our visit, but we had a hard time finding open restaurants. 因為很多民眾的努力 ， 現在光復市區恢復得跟淹水之前差不多，  只是還有很多店沒開 ，  7-11 、全家 和正一百貨等開了， 可是找餐廳內用吃飯很困難 。

This is the Guangfu River, a tributary of the Mataian River featured on the news.  Both rivers are very gentle now, but the mountain lake in nearby Wanrong remains a potential hazard.  Should it flood again, Central Guangfu will still be in danger. 這是光復溪( 馬太鞍溪的支流) 。  現在兩條溪的水量沒那麼多， 可是萬榮鄉的堰塞湖還存在 ， 這個地區不知道還會不會有安全問題 。

A little further east, on the road that leads to Fengbin on the other side of the Coastal Mountain Range, is another tributary of the Mataian River.  Weirdly enough, flooding doesn't seem to have been a problem here. 往東，往豐濱的路上、海岸山脈的另外一邊，這是馬太鞍溪另一支流 ，  好像這裡沒有淹水的問題。

Turning back onto Highway 193, we entered an area which was spared the worst of nature's wrath.  This land is at a slightly higher elevation than Central Guangfu. 再回到193線，我們進入比較沒有受颱風影響的地區，  這個地區的地形比光復市區還高 。

Along our route we found this "coffee shop," which sits on top of a swamp.  I don't know if it even has a name.  If you can endure the mosquitoes, the owner's DIY constructions make for an interesting place to sit. 我們順路在這家濕地上的 "咖啡廳"休息 。  它有名字嗎 ?  我不知道 ，  能忍受蚊子的人可以去欣賞他們的DIY建築。

Across the road from the same location.  The Coastal Mountain Range is in the background. 馬路的另外一邊， 背景是海岸山脈。

Never underestimate the uses to which a can of Taiwan Beer can be put. 台啤的用途很多 。

Another river south of the "coffee shop."  Many of these rivers/creeks don't seem to have names. "咖啡廳" 另外一邊的其他河川 。  這附近的河川好像沒有名稱 。

The same spot, looking east. 同一個地點 、不同的方向 。

We stopped at the Danongdafu Forest Park on the way back to Ruisui but... it wasn't open?  At least I don't think it was open.  The visitor's center definitely wasn't open. 我們回去瑞穗的路上停了大農大富平地森林園區 ， 好像沒有開 ，  我猜沒有開 ，  我確定遊客中心沒有開 。

This is somewhere closer to Ruisui.  Again, those mountains are all in Wanrong. 更靠近瑞穗 ， 你看到的山在萬榮 。

After returning to Ruisui we ventured into the Ruisui Hot Spring Area, which has been mentioned here several times already.  The funny thing is that the most famous hot spring, the Ruisui Mountain Village Hot Spring, isn't actually in Ruisui, but rather in Wanrong. 回到瑞穗之後我們去溫泉區 。  我已經提過這個溫泉多次 ，  奇怪的是這裡最有名的瑞穗溫泉山莊居然不在瑞穗 ， 它位於萬榮鄉 。

This is the view from there.  That ridge in the distance is where most of the tea in Ruisui is grown. 這是溫泉山莊的景色 ，  遠處的山嶺是瑞穗種茶的地區。

It'll cost you 250 for a soak.  It's somewhat decrepit now, but the view from this hot spring is excellent. 一張票要250元 。  這個溫泉山莊很老舊 ， 可是它的風景是最好的 。

And this is the road leading to the hot spring.  It's very steep, so be careful if you're visiting. 這是上去瑞穗溫泉山莊的路 ，  這條路很陡 ， 上去要小心 。

...but where, you ask, is the old sugar refinery in Guangfu?  The most historic building in the area?  I'll try to revisit another day, when the local roads are in better shape. 可是光復最有名的花蓮觀光糖廠 呢?  路況變好的時候我再去看看 !

Related Entries 相關的文章:

Luanshan Village 鸞山村 (Taitung 台東)

South District, Tainan City 台南市南區

Hualien in the News 花蓮的新聞 (North 北) 3

Fengbin Township, Hualien County 花蓮縣豐濱鄉

台灣民宅 Taiwan Homes (1 of 3)

The Chinese below was written by 劉思源 and the illustrations were by 彭大維.  The English was written/translated by me.  The text comes from the book 台灣民宅, which was part of the "Boar Forest" 野豬林 series published way back in 1989.

My school was going to throw these books away!  I thought they could use a little love...

台灣有各式各樣的民宅 , 你知道他們是用什麼材料蓋的嗎 ? Taiwan has all kinds of houses, do you know what materials are used to build each kind?

民宅就是一般人居住的房屋 .  人們因為受居住地方的物產 , 氣候 , 地理農境的影響 , 會選擇不同的材料來蓋屋 .  例如南投 , 竹山 , 台南一帶產竹 , 所以竹屋很多 .  而澎湖特產咾咕石 , 咾咕石屋就很多 .  台中 , 新竹等地少下雨 , 日曬充足 , 適合製造土埆磚 , 所以有很多土埆屋 .  而港口附近 , 有很多往來大陸的船隻 , 這些船隻會在船艙裡放些磚石 , 以免渡海時因船身太輕而翻船 .  所以港口地區利用壓艙的磚石蓋的磚屋 , 石屋特別多 , 而且港口運送木材方便 , 木屋也很多 . Most people live in private homes.  People choose building materials for their homes based on what's available locally, the climate and local geography.  There are, for example, many bamboo houses between Nantou, Zhushan and [east] Tainan because of the bamboo grown throughout those areas.  Penghu produces a lot of coral stone, so there are many coral stone houses there.  It rains less between Taichung, Hsinchu and other places, and this means that houses built from adobe bricks were preferred.  Near ports, there were many ships that traveled between Taiwan and Mainland China, and bricks and stones were placed inside these ships' holds to prevent their capsizing during ocean crossings.  For this reason houses near ports were often built with bricks or stones.  Ports are often used for transporting timber, so there are also many wood houses in these areas. (1)

漢人來台以前 , 台灣已經有很多先住民 .  他們住什麼房屋呢 ? Before the Han Chinese Arrived in Taiwan There Were Already Many Indigenous People [Living Here], What Kinds of Houses Did They Live In?

台灣先住民有高山九族和平埔十族 .  因為居住的環境不同 , 蓋的房子也不同 . Taiwan's indigenous peoples [consist of] nine mountain tribes and ten plains tribes.  They built their homes in different ways because they lived in different environments.

泰雅人住在台灣北部的高山上 , 很容易取得木頭和竹子 , 所以他們住的都是竹屋和木屋 .  屋子裡面 , 最主要的是床和灶 .  床不僅是他們睡覺的地方 , 也可當椅子 , 桌子 , 工作檯 .  另外他們的穀倉也很特別 .  她們為了防止老鼠爬進去偷吃 , 會用桂子把穀倉架高 , 而且在腳桂上端 , 裝設彎彎的長條形木板 , 稱為防鼠板 , 有防止老鼠偷吃的功能 . The Atayal people live in the high mountains of north Taiwan, where it's easy to find wood and bamboo, so they lived in wood or bamboo houses.  The most important items in these houses are the beds and the stoves.  The bed was not only a place for sleeping, but also a place to sit, a table and a workspace.  In addition, the containers for storing grain were very special.  To prevent rats and mice from climbing in and stealing their food, they raised up these storage containers on poles, and on the top of the pole they installed long, curved wooden boards which they called rat-proof boards.  These prevented rats and mice from stealing their food.

排灣人住在台灣南部的山上 , 那裏的板岩很多 , 又容易開採 , 排灣人就利用這些大大小小的板岩塊蓋房子 , 既堅固又耐用 . The Paiwan people live in the mountains of south Taiwan, where slate is plentiful and easy to procure.  The Paiwan people use slate blocks of various sizes to build houses that are both strong and durable.

排灣族的木雕藝術很發達 , 在貴族房屋的桂子 , 門 , 門楣上 , 都刻滿了蛇 , 祖先 ... 等圖案的木雕 . The Paiwan tribe has developed wood carving to a high level of sophistication.  The pillars, lintels and doors of the chief's home are full of carved [images of] snakes, ancestors and related motifs. (2)

早期的農家 , 住一字形的房屋 . Early Farmhouses were Rectangular.

早期從大陸來台灣的農民 , 會沿用以往在福建 , 廣東的舊習慣 , 使用紅磚 , 紅瓦 ... 蓋房屋 . The farmers who came to Taiwan from Fujian and Guangdong in China continued to use red bricks and red tiles to construct their houses.

最簡單的農家蓋成 "一字形" .  中間是正廳 , 用來供奉祖先 , 招待賓客 .  兩側是臥房 , 房內有床 , 桌子 , 椅子 , 洗臉架 ... 等 , 床下還備有澡盆和尿桶 .  以前沒有浴室 , 都是在臥房裡洗澡 , 而廁所蓋在房外 , 晚上出門上廁所很不方 , 便所以特別在房裡準備尿桶 . The simplest farmhouses were built in a rectangular shape.  In the middle of [these structures] was a space used for both ancestor worship [the family shrine] and for entertaining guests.  On either side [of this space] were the bedrooms.  Inside [these bedrooms] were beds, tables, chairs, washstands and other things.  Beneath the beds were washtubs and chamber pots.  In former times there were no [indoor] bathrooms, so bathing was done in the bedrooms.  The toilets were all outdoors, and as it was inconvenient to visit the outdoor toilet at night, chamber pots were kept [for this purpose]. (3)

掌灶代表掌握家庭的經濟 , 而古人認為左邊比右邊尊貴 , 所以廚房多蓋在左邊 . The person in charge of the stove/hearth was in charge of the family finances, and ancient people believed that the left was more noble than the right.  For this reason kitchens were usually built on the left side of houses.

人越來越多 , 房屋不夠住怎麼辦 ? How Could Small Houses Accommodate More and More People?

當人口增加時 , 便會在一字形房屋的兩側加蓋房間 , 按照長幼順序分配給家人 . As the population increased, rooms were added to both sides of houses, with rooms apportioned according to the ages of family members.

以前人還會在屋頂 , 門楣 ... 等地方 , 放置辟邪的圖案或雕刻 , 這些東西叫 "厭勝物" . In the past people would place "talismans" or auspicious patterns and carvings on the roofs, lintels and other parts of their homes. (4)

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1. I put the second half of this paragraph in the past tense because most people in those areas build their homes in a much more standardized manner now.

2. I don't believe people use the term 先住民 ("first inhabitants" or "settlers") much now.  As this section only describes the local indigenous tribes I used the term "indigenous."  Some of this section is also in the past tense for the reason explained in footnote (1) above.  You're not going to find many - if any - indigenous people building houses out of wood, bamboo or slate blocks now.

3. The chamber pots are long gone, but this mode of living can still be observed in more rural places.  My wife's grandmother in Yunlin lived in a way very close to the one described in this passage.

Taitung in the News 台東的新聞 (North 北) 3

1. Changbin Township 長濱鄉

1a. A shuttle bus was donated to Nanxi Village in Changbin Township.  This village is over 5 kilometers from the coast, and most of its residents are elderly.  Many people in the village were having difficulty visiting local clinics and hospitals. 改善 "無車可用"  困境南溪部落獲贈交通車

1b. There will be a marathon in Changbin on May 3rd. 2026年長濱雙浪金剛馬拉松

2. Chenggong Municipality 成功鎮

2a. There was a 3.2 magnitude earthquake on the first of December. 凌晨2時48分台東成功規模3.2地震  最大震度1級

2b. This one made the national news.  There was an accident involving a crane at Chenggong Fishing Port.  The crane overturned while moving a heavy load over the water, causing the crane to overturn.  The crane operator was killed instantly, and another worker was seriously injured. 台東成功漁港大吊車翻覆起火  2工人1死1重傷

2c. The election for the office of Chenggong Municipality mayor will be a lively one.  The current mayor, seeking re-election after a failed recall initiative, will face a candidate who served in the same capacity before the present mayor assumed office.  Many think that the younger voters in the district will decide the election. 台東  成功鎮長選舉雙強碰  決勝青年票

3. Haiduan Township 海端鄉

3a. The present Haiduan Township mayor is nearing the end of his/her term, and it looks like the next township mayor election will also be a heated affair.  Much of this election will come down to differing ethnic backgrounds and religious affiliations as both front runners represent the KMT. 台東海端鄉長選舉  藍恐同黨操戈

4. Chrshang Township 池上鄉

4a. Around nine years ago many of the street signs in Central Chrshang were replaced with newer signs that used a more calligraphic font that tourists often misread.  These signs were recently replaced with more easily deciphered signage. 台東池上68面書法字體路牌將改回國字方體 (2)

4b. The Water Management Bureau has put 10 million NT into a project that will improve irrigation in Chrshang, and local legislators are trying to boost that number even higher.  The project will reinforce embankments along local canals. 台東池上圳每逢大雨即中斷農用供水  綠委爭取千萬經費改善

4c. Over 1,600 tons of branches have accumulated in the Chrshang landfill on the heels of recent typhoons.  Legislators representing the area are looking for funds to address the problem. 台東池上災後1600噸廢樹枝  環境部補助破碎再利用

5. Guanshan Municipality 關山鎮

5a. The Guanshan Precinct Office was recently renovated. 台東關山警分局空間大變身

5b. An aggrieved person spread incriminating flyers all over a road through Central Guanshan.  It took over an hour to clean these flyers up.  The message on the flyers was "So-and-so owes (me) money."  Police have already identified the vehicle (and likely the owner) responsible. 台東關山 "討價傳單" 撒滿街  1.5小時才清完  警鎖定涉案車輛

5c. It's too early to see the results, but the Guanshan Farmer's Association, working in conjunction with employees of the nearby "Rice School," recently planted a rice field in honor of the goddess Matsu.  Different varieties of rice were used to create a "mural effect" in the field, and many of those engaged in the planting are hoping that this effort brings blessings upon future harvests. 關山鎮農會 "種出媽祖" 祈求風調雨順  農作豐收

6. Donghe Township 東河鄉

6a. This article advertises "experiences" available to tourists in Taitung, two of which are in Donghe.  The Donghe DIY activities involve making jewelry, eating locally sourced food and guided tours.  There are many pictures in the article. 5款台東慢活體驗 ... (1)

6b. There was a magnitude 3.6 earthquake in Donghe today. 台東地牛翻身  凌晨3時30分東河規模3.6淺層地震  最大震度2級

7. Luye Township 鹿野鄉

7a. As in Chrshang, work will be done on river embankments and other irrigation infrastructure in Luye.  Local farmers have been urged to conserve water ahead of a month-long period in which irrigation water to three villages will be cut off. 台東鹿野水圳工程  3村落灌溉將斷水1個月

8. Yanping Township 延平鄉

8a. A Yanping temple with a presence online recently urged its adherents against both seeing a doctor and receiving vaccinations, their argument being that "Western medicine is terrible."  They are currently under investigation by the Taitung Health Bureau. 台東玄濟宮喊 "別看醫生 , 打疫苗"  衛生局今上門稽查

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1. The author of the article seems confused about local geography.  He/she describes Donghe as being at "the foot of Dawu Mountain," which is far from the case.

2. In areas trying to attract tourists this is something worth considering.  Hyperstylized signage can really put people off.