"Black and White Streams":
Where local residents do their laundry and
children play, this area's name comes from
two streams that originate at the Shimen Reservoir—
one is clear, one turbid.
SanKeng Old Street
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May
Snow in LongTan & the Search for Tung
Blossoms
Words and photos
by Eden Lin Translated by Ann Lee
The snows may have
already passed, but the seasonal Tung flower's
fragrance, along with spring nostalgia, still
lingers in some parts of the island.
May is that time of the year,
when the Tung flowers bloom unscrupulously
in the old town of LongTan. This flower, representing
the Hakka spirit, blooms when snow is seen
on mountaintops, tips of trees, and glitters
on the soil.
Besides the Tung flower,
there is much to do and see at the 18-acre
tourist hotspot known as LongTan Pond. In
the middle of the pond, visitors can see the
Nan-Tian Palace, the main religious center
for town residents. A red suspension bridge
stretches over both sides of the water, providing
a good place to watch the ducks and migrating
birds that call LongTan home. Visitors can
enjoy a simple, pleasant stroll around the
lake, complete with a cool breeze and shady
trees.
After taking a walk, visitors
will see what locales refer to as "LongTan's
First Street"—SanKeng Old Street.
In earlier days, this area was considered
a flourishing water-land freight transport
site. Many old buildings are still kept in
good condition and some of these architectural
landmarks, even to this day, house citizens.
Although the old street's ambiance is tranquil,
the residents are generally friendly and enthusiastic.
Visitors can also rent bikes and take a relaxing
ride down nicely planned bicycle trails. On
weekends, local Hakka women sell homemade
rice snacks that are definitely worth trying.
Visitors searching for May
snows and Tung blossoms can find their elusive
goal along the Little Rough Pit Ancient Path
or in the Gao Yuan Community. Built in the
Japanese colonial era, the Little Rough Pit
Ancient Path was originally a roadway for
cattle. Now, Tung trees are planted along
the path, providing blossoms that flutter
everywhere as you walk. The Path's entrance
supports an art space that is created with
red brick, dead wood and pottery works by
artist Zhu Yi-Cheng, who named the place Cu
Keng Yao, or "Rough Pit Kiln". Throughout
the year, tourists can enjoy various types
of flower watching—Chinese Wisteria
in April, Tung flowers in May, Ginger Lilies
in September—taste teas, listen to the
sounds of nature, or create their very own
pottery piece.
The Gao Yuan Community, another
blossom spot, is famous for its Long Quan
Tea, and tea fields are in abundance. The
lake mouth, located near Shimen Reservoir,
has high-terraced ground which overlooks layers
of small peaks and provides a view of Daba
Mountain. Needless to say, the scenery is
stunning—an area ultimately enjoyed
by bike. The mountain roads here are filled
with Tung flowers and, in some seasons, snow.
From a distance, the mountaintops look just
like the snow-covered peaks in the north.
Currently, there are plans for building a
themed-based Tung flower village, so that
people can learn more about the beloved blossoms.
If you would like to take
a deeper look at Tung flowers in LongTan,
check out the official websites of the Taoyuan
County Government and Cultural Bureau at www.tyccc.gov.tw,
or the LongTan Township Administration Office
at www.lungtan.gov.tw.
How to get there:
1. SanKeng Old Street: After exiting the LongTan
Interchange from the #2 northern freeway,
connect to County Rt. 113 towards Shimeng
Reservoir. Turn right at Quan-Qiao High School,
then drive for about another 5 kilometers
on Provincial Rt. 3.
2. Rough Pit Kiln:
(03) 471-9010
15-2, GaoPing Village, LongTan Town, CuKeng
2nd Neighborhood, Taoyuan County
Hours: 9 am-7 pm (closed on Tuesday)
Minimum charge NT$100/person, DIY Pottery
NT$100/piece, for glazing and the use of kiln
NT$200/piece.
Directions: Drive towards
the Shimen Reservoir after exiting the #2
northern freeway at the DaXi Interchange.
Continue on ZhongZheng Road, San-Keng section
which connects to LongYuan Road. Turn onto
the road next to XingYuan Restaurant, then
follow the road signs for about 500 meters
Live music performances every
4th Saturday of the month from 7-9 pm. Minimum
charge NT$150/person.
Rough Pit Kiln
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