Paper Dome: Symbol of Taiwan-Japan Disaster-Relief Collaboration
Symbol of love and mutual assistance, the story of Paper Dome is one that concerns two natural disasters and transcends beyond national boundaries.
Taomi Village: Agricultural Village Rejuvenated
From a poor village to a famous eco-tourism destination, Taomi is a successful model of turning the 921 crisis into an opportunity for not only community re-building, but also village re-branding.
Calling all Photography Enthusiasts!
Discover Bliss @ Paper Dome Photography Competition is calling for entries! What are you waiting for? Grab your cameras and start shooting!
Summer Wind Music Concert @ Paper Dome
Paper Dome held a major music event on the beautiful Sunday of 10th July 2011. audiences ranging from the young to old where entertained by performers ranging from the young to the young-at-heart.
Natural Dye Class Graduates!
Check this page for other exciting news and events regarding Paper Dome and Taomi Village.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Must Play (at our Parks)
Qin-Shui Water Park
On a hot summer afternoon, Xin-Shui Water Park is the best place for Daddies and Mummies to bring the whole family for a few hours of fun and enjoyment! Puli boasts its spring water (Puli supplies half of Taiwan's bottled mineral water!), that is not only very clean but also full of nutrients! The best thing is, not only does the Water Park has water sprouts in different shapes and sizes, it is also free of charge! A B&B located right behind the Water Park also retails small food items such as Popcorn and Ice-Pops!
Cao Lan Wetlands
Other than learning about the ecology, Cao Lan Wetlands is also a great place for fun and amusement! Taomi Villagers have very thoughtfully created a mini 'flying-fox' the glides across one portion of the wetlands. It's very safe, and very fun - a definite MUST-TRY in Taomi (:
Tao Yuan Elementary School
Did you know: Tao Yuan Elementary School is constructed by community efforts after the 921 earthquake and has only 60+ students enrolled.
Thus, its students enjoy the full range of facilities located within the school, including table tennis tables, indoor soccer court, and inline skates for each of the 60+ students!
Also, the schools has a big playground that is open for all to enjoy, the young and the young-at-heart alike (:
Must Learn (our ecology and culture)
Taomi Stream / Wetlands
On the 2 sides of the Taomi Stream, are wetlands in which many fauna inhabit. Bring your camera to take photos of dragonflies resting on the water surface in the morning, and put on your night vision goggles to watch frogs in the dark!
Fishing is forbidden in Taomi Stream until 2013
so as to enable the ecosystem to be restored to its formal glory.
Tao Yuan Elementary School
Tao Yuan Elementary School is the only elementary school in Taomi Village and is built by community efforts after the 921 earthquake. It has a wide range of facilities including table tennis tables, indoor soccer court, and inline skates for each of the 60+ students!
Did you know: Among all the elementary schools in Taiwan, Tao Yuan Elementary School plants the tallest trees? Their school field is actually and ecological garden, go in for a walk and see how many types of trees you can identify! [Don't worry, answers are provided on the notice board at the entrance!]
follow the path at your own pace
you'll discover many interesting things
with information boards to help you along the way
Heart of Taomi - Paper Dome
After the 921 earthquake, Taomi Villagers sought the expertise of New Homeland Foundation in rebuilding their hometown. In a multi-prong collaboration between governmental, communal, and academic institutions, Taomi gradually evolved from a disaster-wracked village, to an exciting eco-village with vibrant community life. Paper Dome, a new addition to the village after its rejuvenation, marked the village's new identity and symbolized its transformation.
Even before being moved to Taiwan, Paper Dome has a history of its own. It was first built by architect Shigeru Ban in 1995 after the Kobe earthquake in Japan. It served not only as a temporary church and place of communal gatherings, but even more importantly, as the unifying symbol of Kobe, significant in uniting the strength and hopes of the survivors as well as blessings from their loved ones.
Paper Dome was transported to Taiwan on the 10th anniversary of the Kobe earthquake, to Taomi Village which was recovering from the 921 earthquake in Taiwan. Since its opening in 2008, the Paper Dome has drawn thousands of visitors to admire its beauty and be inspired by its meaningful history. New Homeland Foundation has successfully integrated sight-seeing together with learning, and also welcomes study groups to visit the Paper Dome Experimental Learning Park.
Cao Lan Wetlands
The biggest wetland in Taomi, Cao Lan Wetlands is also the richest in ecological resources. Covering an area of 4 hectares, the wetlands boasts a wide range of frogs and dragonflies, where i the day, anyone with a camera can easily spot and capture photos of 6-7 different species of dragonflies and at night, it's the same with frogs..
Cao Lan Wetlands is also the ideal breeding ground for fireflies. From late April to May, we will be able to spot thousands of fireflies emerging from the bushes, active in their mating season. The view has been said to resemble the stars in the night sky, simply mesmerizing!
Besides frogs and dragonflies, you will also see other creatures such as this fella over here!
They are a protected species so be careful not to hurt them!
If you're afraid that you may not be able to fully appreciate the wonders of nature on your own, do engage our friendly neighbourhood eco-guides! (:
Must Sleep (at our B&Bs)
Catching fireflies, frog-watching, night view …Who isn’t spoilt for choice when it comes to Taomi’s night activities?
Yet, if these activities are the bulk of your dream holiday, think again.
With over 20 Bread&Breakfasts to choose from, be sure to up that memorable experience at your ideal lodging too. Specially selected for their distinctiveness, these accommodations will help you bridge that gap between your dream and the reality.
Red Brick House
Contact: +886 049-2913966
Red Brick House is a courtyard house built in the 1960s. Constructed using bricks transported along the stone-paved road, it is now refurbished as a B&B. Its strategic position at the top of the mountain is complemented by the surrounding greenery, a picturesque village for the nature-lovers out there. Be it the old or the young, its minimalist-styled rooms add that finishing touch to your great weekend getaway!
Green House
Contact: +886 049-2916829
The Green House is unique for its clever integration of nature with leisure and lifestyle. When it comes to a passion for nature, nothing speaks louder than the in-house frog pond. Be sure to join the frog-watching tours at night, where you can observe these four-legged creatures up close in their natural habitat. And, if you can’t get enough of frog-viewing, the dainty frog-inspired ornaments around your lodging will take care of that.
Qin-Shui B&B
Contact: +886 049-2914241
After the 921 Earthquake, Hong Kong donated a row of assembled houses for the earthquake victims. These assembled houses held many memories for the Taomi villagers that they have not only preserved them, but also converted them into a B&B! Located near the Qin-Shui Water Park, it is a favorite among families with kids as the admission to the park is free!
Cao Lan Wetlands Farm
Contact: +886 049-2915455
Boasting lush greenery, Cao Lan Wetlands is THE place for eco-tourists and casual travelers alike. Besides the close interaction with nature, this B&B offers a souvenir shop that features the handicrafts of Taomi Villagers! Learn more about the Taomi Culture while savouring a good meal prepared only with the freshest ingredients!
Must Eat (at our restaurants/cafes)
Toami houses a range of restaurants and here we've highlighted a few:
Loving Hut Restaurant
Delicious food made from the freshest naturally planted ingredients
- Within Paper Dome
Little Green House Restaurant
- Located in Taomi Village, 2 min walk from Paper Dome
Tujiaocuo Pond Restaurant
Scrumptious Hakka Cuisine
- Located in Taomi Village, 5 min walk from Paper Dome
Getting Around Taomi
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. :)
- 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
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!
