Guided tour with local experts--
Wang Jia-ping

Chun Shui Tang Cultural Tea
House

Da Guan Art Center

Linger on 'La Mere Terre'

Discover the charm and vitality of Greater Taichung!

Words provided by iSeeTaiwan Foundation
Translated by Angel Pu

LOHAS Events-LOHAS Square (Wuqun 5th to Wuqun 7th Streets)

Greater Taichung's striking attributes are its diversified vivacity, traditional spirit, and creative vitality that make the city charming, delightful, and full of LOHAS (Life of Health and Sustainability) ambience. The fundamental characteristic of LOHAS is the "Slow Movement," which has led the iSee Taiwan Foundation to name the city "La Mere Terre", the mother earth in French, emphasizing the beauty of Taichung and the city's great quality of life.

What's in your mind when you describe Taichung? Friendly? Relaxing? Historical? Exotic? With the concept of "La Mere Terre," the LOHAS International Spotlight Central Region program, jointly organized by the Tourism Bureau and iSee Taiwan Foundation, endeavors to attract tourists from all over the world by exploring local distinctive features and creating the city an impressive image - full of delicacies, fun, and cultures. To provide visitors an in-depth travel experience, this program includes various projects, LOHAS workshops, LOHAS events, LOHAS spots, and guided tours, which showcase Taichung's culture, creativity and aesthetics.

Where can you find a place with an all-inclusive cultural enjoyment? Starting last August, the LOHAS weekend events have presented a wide range of exhibitions and performances, focusing on Taichung's unique features. These events have lightened up the Art Museum Parkway during weekend nights. You are given the key to unlock a treasure chest with full of surprises: historical stories, local festivities, melodious music, food delicacies, traditional arts and crafts, Taiwanese aboriginal culture, and Taiwanese hand puppet shows. None of them can be missed!

For those seeking more insights for the city, the guided tours have invited local experts from different fields such as professors, chefs, bloggers, and historians, who personally introduce many special spots in Taichung. Recapturing the story of old houses, wandering around an exotic parkway, tasting authentic cuisine, enjoying the aroma of tea, and discovering those unique but not so well-known places, you would never lack for a truly worthwhile travel experience and an unforgettable story to bring home!

What's more? LOHAS workshops allow tourists to experience Taichung by not just sightseeing, but also by comprehensively learning about local culture and creativity via various classes such as bubble tea making, tea culture experiencing, and D.I.Y violin-shaped clocks. LOHAS workshops offer you pleasure through not only enjoyment of five senses, but also heart-touching experiences.

Left: Guided tour with local experts--Chen Dao-jie
Right: Guided tour with local experts--Gao Song-ming

2012 LOHAS Events
More LOHAS events and activities are coming up in 2012. Please go to the following websites for the latest informatio. Let's explore the beauty of Taichung!

Official Website: http://www.lohaspot.com.tw
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LOHAS.Spot

Left: Royal Sun Young
Right: La Pioggia