Taiwan hosts ecological tour on northeast coast

台灣舉辦東北角海岸生態旅遊

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Tourism Administration’s Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area recently hosted a two-day eco-tour from Thursday to Friday showcasing the region’s unique culture, fishing traditions, and geological features.

The tour spanned from Yilan’s Toucheng Township to New Taipei’s Ruifang District, offering an immersive experience of the local fishing villages and natural landscapes, per the administration's press release.

Participants visited fishing ports to learn about traditional fishing techniques and the area’s distinctive geology. The itinerary also included hands-on activities like handmade fish ball workshops, marine waste recycling, and rope weaving.

Yilan County Tourism Ambassador Association Chair Lin Shu-chen (林淑貞) guided participants through one of the fishing ports, explaining the environmental impacts and differences between fishing methods, including single-hook fishing, long-line fishing, stationary nets near the shore, and seafloor dragging nets.

Chiang Yun-chien (江昀蒨), founder of a beach-cleaning advocacy group in Yilan, led a cleanup activity and demonstrated how to repurpose collected marine waste into preserved flower crafts.

Another highlight of the tour was a visit to Dali Harbor in Toucheng Township, known for its traditional old street and the Tiangong Taoist temple. Participants also stopped at "Dali 63," a venue run by two graduate students from National Yilan University. The space features local crafts, traditional toys, and efforts to preserve Yilan’s heritage.

The tour concluded with a hands-on experience using shell flower, where participants learned how locals crafted ropes for fishing tools from its durable, water-resistant fibers.