Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Getting Around Taomi

3:46 AM Paper Dome No comments

Map of Taomi Village

check directions to Taomi HERE

Taomi Village is a short getaway from the bustle of the city, a MUST-SEE for nature enthusiasts and photographers. It is also ideal whether for family trips or a bunch of friends going for a nature exploration.

As Taomi Village is not big, you can choose to walk around on foot or on a bicycle. Be careful if you choose to cycle because there maybe quite a few up-slopes and down-slopes, though they are generally not very steep. :)

Essential travel tips for the adventurous Taomi Visitor:

Wear long pants and shirts with long sleeves - if you don't want to become an unwilling blood donor or have a unintentional tan. XD
Apply Mosquito Repellent! though you will also find Mosquito Repellent provided at some areas of Taomi - yes this is how thoughtful the Taomi Villagers are! (:
Apply Sunblock! - the sun can get really merciless!
Bring an Umbrella! - Taomi experiences frequent showers, and the dual-function umbrella can come in handy under the blazing hot sun was well (:
Good to bring along a water bottle and cap as well

Once you are all set, do check here for a few of the MUST-SEE places around Taomi! :D

Ecology

3:46 AM Paper Dome No comments

what exactly is an ecological village or eco-village?

after reading so much about Taomi being an eco-village, that may be the exact question running in your head.

well, the easiest way to remember will be that the people of an eco-village display 3 forms of kindness,

they are:

kind to the land
kind to the plants
kind to the animals

The people of Taomi village believe that

If the Earth is an organism, then plants are the skin.
Plants are the surface of the earth, they protect the Earth's minerals from being eroded away by weather elements.

They drink Red Tea rather than Green Tea - because pesticides are used in Green Tea leaves' planting process!

Though there is a lack of a proper sewage system in Taomi (like there are in many rural villages all over the world), the villagers actually handle their waste management very well. They sort out their trash into bio-degradable and non-bio-degradable, recycling whatever they can recylce, even to the extent of the cup noodle container! A few of the B&Bs even have their own waste treatment ponds like the one below:

waste treatment pond at Green House B&B

They don't plant many foreign trees,

as they are aware that its fruits will not be eaten by Taiwan birds, and its leaves will not be eaten by Taiwan insects, it generally does not contribute to the balance of the ecosystem.

All these practices are only cultivated after the 921 earthquake, after the village decided to re-brand itself as an Eco-Village. They have laboured diligently at creating their new identity: learning about environmental conservation, constructing wetlands, adapting to their new lifestyle.

Their hard work has paid off as we can see the fruits of their labour - the rich ecosystem that is the model of Taiwan eco-tourism.

more about flora & fauna HERE

more about their wetlands HERE

However, as natural as the wetlands are, the villagers have to work hard to maintain its glory. Weather elements are unpredictable, in a sense, large amount of precipitation like this one:

can result in their efforts going to naught. (read more HERE) That is why cultivating an Eco-Village is a constant battle, trying to fend for livelihood and co-exist in harmony with nature has never been easy.

Nonetheless, the villagers are steadfast in their belief and constantly working hard at spreading their philosophy. You have to come here and experience for yourself their passion, and personally admire their strength and determination.

If you are afraid that you may not be able to appreciate the beauty of Taomi Eco-Village on your own, or just want a more detailed explanation, Taomi has 30+ certified eco-tourguides at your service. They will bring you to the areas such as the Cao Lan Wetlands and other interesting areas that you may not be able to fully comprehend on your own. Please contact Paper Dome for more details.

one of our experienced eco-tourguides

fun at Cao Lan Wetlands!

Wetlands

3:46 AM Paper Dome No comments

Taomi Village has cultivated several wetlands since the inception of the Taomi Eco-Village concept. Among them, Cao Lan Wetlands has been developed as more than wetlands, but also, as a place for learning for visitors

Cao Lan Wetlands spans over a wide area of natural vegetation. This picture was taken when during a period of low rain fall. But after 5 -6 hours of rain, this area will transform into a breeding ground for dragonflies and many other organisms.

In an effort to make the wetlands more attractive to tourists, the villagers have constructed several structures like the two bridges below, as well as the mini flying-fox, for the enjoyment of visitors. In the hopes that through fun and excitement, visitors will be more likely to appreciate the surrounding environment and bring home the message of co-existing with nature.

as a result, Cao Lan Wetlands is a favourite place among teachers for class excursions.

Besides enjoying dragonflies during the day, you will also be able to go frog-watching at night. During the mating season between late April to May, you will also be able to see a multitude of FIREFLIES lighting up the night sky. The eco-guide will even tell you that the night view will be as if you're standing on top of Taipei 101, looking down at all the lit buildings below. As for how true is it, you'll have to come and judge it personally.

If you stay till late and need a place to rest for the night, they have 20+ awesome B&Bs that cater for a range of visitors and surely you can find one that suits your needs.

Fun Fact: Fireflies have a lifespan of 2 -20 days.
Males will die within 2 days after they mate.

Taomi caters for visitors ranging from the expert environmentalist to the curious tourist.

Contact Paper Dome if you're interested for a guided tour of the Taomi Hinterland.

Visitors’ Information

3:45 AM Paper Dome No comments

Operating Hours

Sun - Fri Sat & Public Holidays
Operating
Hours 09:00~20:00 09:00~21:00

*Closed on the first Wednesday of every month (with the exception of Public Holidays).

Ticketing Information
Ticket Price** NTD$100,
Concession Price NTD$50*
Tickets can be used as coupons to offset purchases inside Paper Dome
Retail Stores
within Paper Dome Paper Store, Mahaapet Cafe, Loving Hut Restaurant
Method of Offset Tickets can be combined to offset payment, except in the Loving Hut Restaurant

*Concession Price applies to:
1. Senior Citizens above 65 years old (please produce validation)
2. Student (please produce validation)
3. Pre-school children between 4-6 years old
4. Groups with > 30 people: to call at least 3 days in advance
5. Residents of Puli (please produce validation)

** Ticket not required for:
1. < 4 years old
2. Residents of Taomi Village (please produce validation)
3. Certain Handicapped Individuals: to call 1 week in advance
4. Field Study Trips for Schools in Puli

Other Information

	Sun - Fri	Sat & Public Holidays
Operating Hours	09:00~20:00	09:00~21:00

Ticket Price**	NTD$100, Concession Price NTD$50* Tickets can be used as coupons to offset purchases inside Paper Dome
Retail Stores within Paper Dome	Paper Store, Mahaapet Cafe, Loving Hut Restaurant
Method of Offset	Tickets can be combined to offset payment, except in the Loving Hut Restaurant

Smoking is strictly prohibited within the premises of Paper Dome
Littering, plucking of vegetation, fishing, butterfly/ frog/ dragonfly catching and other related activities are strictly prohibited

for directions to Taomi Village click HERE
Thank you for your kind cooperation.
See you at the Paper Dome! :)

10 Things to Do in Taomi Village

1:58 AM Paper Dome No comments

1. Enjoy Paper Dome park beauty.
Paper Dome is a certain highlight of Taomi village. Even it is not big you can easily spend a half of day walking around ponds searching for fish and taking pictures of magnificent water lilies or just sitting in cane-chair with a glass of cold passion fruit juice.

Practical information: Paper Dome working hours: 9:00-20:00 (Saturday and public holidays 9:00-21:00). It is closed every first Wednesday of every month. Admission: 100 NT$ for adults, 50 NT$ for children, students, elderly, Puli citizens and groups more than 30 people. (Tickets can be used as coupons in a restaurant, café and souvenir shops).

2. Learn about Paper Dome story.
Paper Dome is not just a recreation park but a special place with its own history. Take a guide to learn about two the most devastating earthquakes of the end of XX century and how they connected with Taomi community and Paper Dome.

Practical information: a guide for a group from 10 people is free (English guide is available for any number of people). You have to apply for a guide three days in advance.

3. Eat something healthy at the Loving restaurant.
When you feel hungry continue your eco-visit stopping by the Loving restaurant in Paper Dome. There they serve European-style dishes cooked from local products. They use vegetables grown nearby without any chemical fertilizers. Whatever you chose there: a full lunch or just a cup of herbal tea it will give you energy to continue exploring Taomi village. Don’t forget to look around the restaurant: sometimes they have local artists’ exhibitions there.

Practical information: The loving restaurant serves lunch and dinners 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-19:30. Between14:00 and 17:00 you can have a drink with a bagel or other snack.
Main dishes from 230 NT$ including soup and salad, drinks from 70 NT$.

4. Bring a souvenir from Paper Dome. Paper Dome also support local artists and farmers selling souvenirs and local products such as Sun Moon Lake tea, honey, dried plum and other Nantou specialties. Don’t leave without a cute fabric hand-made frog with a crafty face!

5. Visit Taomi museum and rent a bike there.
Not everybody knows that Taomi has its own museum where you can learn about Taomi village history, 921 earthquake and how it influenced people’s life there. Unfortunately there is no information in English as well as an English-speaking guide. But even you do not speak Chinese you should visit the museum if you want to explore Taomi wetlands and other sights by bicycle. The museum works also as a tourist information centre and rent bicycles to visitors.

Practical information: the museum open 8:30-12:00 and 13:00-17:00 every day except Tuesday and Wednesday. Bikes rental: 50 NT$ per hour for usual bicycle and 100 NT$ per hour for a tandem.

6. Get closer to nature at Taomi wetlands.
There are at least two pictorial wetlands in Taomi village: Caonan Wetland Farm and Maopukeng WetlandPark. They are both made by local residents after 921 earthquake and include not only ecological ponds but wooden statues of frogs and dragonflies, a few scenic bridges, a small zip line and other handmade features. Come there for a picnic or just for a walk and if you are lucky you will see dozens dragonflies, butterflies, frogs, birds and wild planes. In April and May Caonan Wetland Farm is also a good place to see fireflies.

Practical information: Visiting wetlands is free of charge. You will probably need a car or a bicycle to travel between wetlands as they are situated in a distance from each other. You can get a free English map of Taomi village at any B’n’B there.

7. Come to Paper Dome again at night.
Night is the best time to visit Paper Dome when a day-time bustle leaves with most of visitors. Soft light create a charming atmosphere. Frogs wake up and start singing their songs. Relax at Maahapet café watching Paper Dome reflection in the pond. Don’t forget to use mosquito repellent as not only frogs become active at night.

Practical information: If you going to leave Paper Dome and come again later ask them to press a stamp on your hand so you don’t have to buy a new ticket.

8. Listen to a concert at Paper Dome.
Every Saturday Paper Dome organizes a concert for its visitors. A variety of musicians, from young local artists to the National Taiwan Orchestra or world famous Canadian singer Matthew Lien have participated at these events. There is also a jazz band that plays every second Sunday. Some of the concerts are held at Maahapet café. The more important ones are held right in front of the Paper Dome. Most people sit on the grass in front of the dome. My personal advice is to go outside the Paper Dome Park and sit down at the amphitheatre on the hill. You will get the best view and the best sound from there.

9. Have a nice dinner at a Hakka cuisine restaurant.
Another Taomi’s attraction is its variety of excellent restaurants. One of the first of them is Tujiaocuo Pond Restaurant. Tujiaocuo (土角厝) means a clay house. Unfortunately original traditional building was destroyed by 921 earthquake and now Tujiaocao restaurant is an elegant glass building standing on fish pond. However the cuisine remains traditional and tourists from all around Taiwan come here to try excellent fish dishes.

Practical information: Tujiaocuo Pond Restaurant opens from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00. Average check is 300 NT$ per person.

10. Slow your pace and stay overnight in one of Taomi ecological B&Bs.

Feel tired after long day in Taomi? Stay in one of 11 high-quality family B&B. They not only offer comfortable rooms but also take you to a night tour to see numerous Taomi frogs. In April and May they also show their guests fireflies. Every B&B has its own ecological ponds and gardens so be ready to listen to frogs songs all night long.

Practical information: See a list of Taomi B&Bs at Taomi web site (in Chinese). Book in advance if you are going to stay here on weekends.

Anna Dontsova

Weekend Artists

11:50 PM Paper Dome 1 comment

shop to your heart's content

at the paper dome weekend bazaar

Paper Dome welcomes local artists to show their craft during weekends. Currently we have 3 different artists setting up booths and are welcomed by many (especially female) guests. All items sold are hand-made and costs can be offset using the entrance ticket! :D