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，新化是西拉雅族的 "大目降"。 目前在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 。
Related Entries 相關的文章:
