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| Enjoy an Ecological Tour in Liouguei |
◎Written by Chen Ting-fang
◎Translation by Lin Yu-ciao
◎Photos by Carter
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Eighteen Arhats Mountain Natural Humanities Association supports small farmers and promotes environmental education
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The Eighteen Arhats Mountain Natural Humanities Association（十八羅漢山自然人文協會）is helping local residents to receive professional training and certification, so they can provide guided tours, in-depth travel, and environmental education services in this protected area in Kaohsiung's Liouguei District.
Association members also conduct regular mountain patrols, to identify and protect rare plants like the endemic Salvia tashiroi Hayata, and to report illegal activities by loggers. They are one of the few community associations in Taiwan that manages and monitors a natural reserve, while also leading ecotourism activities.
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| Photo by Carter
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In recognition of their efforts, the NGO received the Kaohsiung City Environmental Education Excellence Award in 2023（高雄市環境教育優等獎）. Their collaboration with ecotourism communities across Taiwan includes establishing a resource-sharing mechanism to assist other groups engaged in ecotourism and regional revitalization. They also partner with National Pingtung University of Science and Technology（國立屏東科技大學）and the Pingtung Division of the Ministry of Agriculture's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency（林業及自然保育署）. At the same time, they actively support the area's small farmers, founding the cultural-creative brand Liou-Guei Select（六山十八）to promote local produce such as pepper, hand-picked mountain tea, plum wine, and aiyu jelly. This initiative aims to boost the local economy and contribute to cultural development..
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| Photo by Carter
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| Photo by Carter
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The chorus is comprised of young people who love singing. They also support each other in excelling in other interests and educational pursuits. The chorus operates like one big harmonious family. When senior members achieve their academic dreams, it thus inspires younger members to believe in themselves. Chen Jyun-jhih explains that these close-knit relationships create a powerful energy on stage, which is why Nebun differs from other choruses.
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Return (亀心Return): Revitalizing the Community and Inheriting a Century-Long Vision
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In an effort to revive the glory days of a century-old business, Chen Jia-hong（陳佳鴻）, founder of Shih Yang Miao Cultural Enterprise Studio（蒔秧苗文化事業工作室）, collaborates with young individuals from indigenous tribes. Together, they are striving to reinterpret and rejuvenate Hong Kun-yuan Trading Company（洪?源商號）on Liouguei Old Street. To breathe new life into this century-old business — a venue for trade between indigenous people and Han Chinese since the 1895-1945 period of Japanese colonial rule — the local brand Return was officially launched in February 2024.
The store offers coffee and storytelling, with plans to integrate baking and accommodation to achieve sustainable development through the preservation of historical sites and cultural fusion. Chen sees local regeneration as a vital mission. By embracing the concept of linking Provincial Highway 27A（台27甲線）, and connecting with places like Meinong, Liouguei, and Taoyuan, they are dedicated to regional revitalization and encouraging young people to return to their hometowns. The name “Return” symbolizes the profound meaning of returning home with a determined heart.
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| Photo by Carter
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Eighteen Arhats Mountain Natural Humanities Association 十八羅漢山自然人文協會
No. 37-15, Fusing Ln., Liouguei Dist., Kaohsiung City
Phone:（07）6894063
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Return 亀心
No. 37-47, Huanan St., Liouguei Dist., Kaohsiung City
Phone: 0958-362-167
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