Taoyuan Tourism

Environmental education is not as dull as you might think! Laojie River Education Center, the first environmental education space in Taiwan that is river themed. From the outdoor space to the indoor exhibitions, you can learn all about the past, present, and future of Laojie River. Various activities such as environmental film screening, riverside market, food and farming seminars, handcraft lessons, and river cleaning hikes are sure to impress you as well.

Sliding down from the 6m-tall, colorful “time tunnel” slide, your environmental education-themed visit officially begins. At the entrance, the dirt hill symbolizes the origin of irrigation ditches, simulating the traditional, environmentally friendly building method of terraces. The two main buildings are modified Hakka traditional houses. At the Laojie River Story House, a modified brick house, you can see the vegetable farm in front of the house, bamboo fences, the courtyard, big cooking stove in the kitchen, and the external plaza—all of which reenact how farm houses used to be. For those who grew up in the city, it is a great opportunity to learn more about rural life. The development in Zhongli region is also on display at Laojie River Story House: Is Fruit Street only for selling fruits? Where is the largest market in Zhongli? Why is Zhongli Beef Noodle so well known? Which school is the oldest elementary school in Zhongli? In one trip you will find all the answers and become a Zhongli expert!    
 

The other two-floor building is the River Ecology Education Center, a renovated old house wrapped with contemporary steel-structure. On the first floor, you will find a detailed introduction of Laojie River with bulletin boards, miniature models, and interactive devices. The second floor is an exhibit of the 120-day long cleaning and revitalization project of Laojie River. Consistent with the core concept of sustainability, the extended lookout allows space for tree growth and adds greenness.