SDG11
"Volcano Quest for the Qilin: A New Cultural Path of Pilgrimage, Ecology, and Industry" – NCKU Leverages Social Responsibility
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and the Tainan City Dianzi Kou Cultural and Educational Association collaborated to host the event "Volcano Quest for the Qilin: A New Cultural Path of Pilgrimage, Ecology, and Industry" on October 26. The event was supported by the academic resources and expertise of the university’s community-driven project, "Tainan 400 Years: From the Fong Neihai to Dongyuan Mountain Forest Creek's Traditional Industry Upgrading: Revival and Rebirth" (referred to as the "Tainan 400 Years" project).
The event, "Volcano Quest for the Qilin," featured rich stories and hidden scenic spots provided by Dianzi Kou Association members, with NCKU's team designing and planning the route. After an on-site exploration in September, local specialties were incorporated into the tour, creating a well-rounded experience and serving as a model for other community and local organizations within the project.
Dr. Chen Chih-Chang, the co-director of the project, explained that the event focused on culture, industry, and hands-on experiences, with a core emphasis on sensory exploration. Notably, the event was guided by a cross-generational team composed of elderly, middle-aged, and young members from the Dianzi Kou Association. The team provided insightful commentary on local landmarks, such as streams, limestone industries, mining disasters, religious spaces, and notable figures, offering a "co-creation" experience for both the youth and elderly.
The route, which took place in Baihe District, featured several key experiences, including "Ancient Path Exploration," "Lotus Flower Pilgrimage," "Qilin Quest," and "Coffee Tasting." The "Ancient Path Exploration" involved participants walking from the 17-Hut Nantian Temple to the Daxian Temple, retracing historical pathways while carrying a traditional burden basket. Along the way, participants were offered local Baihe specialties, such as lotus seed pastries and honeyed lotus root slices, as well as coffee leaf tea, a product from the project’s collaboration. Afterward, they made a pilgrimage to the Daxian Temple, offering lotus flowers as a token of faith. The final stop was the volcano’s Biyun Temple, where participants enjoyed scenic views and hand-brewed coffee from local East Mountain coffee farmers.
Throughout the journey, members of the Dianzi Kou Association took turns guiding the group, while NCKU's team offered various design pieces and refreshments. The design work centered on the famous "Fire Qilin Legend," and the "Qilin Quest" allowed participants to use transparent Qilin images to overlay with mountain views, spotting the legendary creature lying amidst the scenery.
The "Tainan 400 Years" project team invited participants from across the country, including university social responsibility (USR) representatives, community university partners, and tourism industry professionals. Many community university instructors and mountaineering group members expressed interest in returning for another visit, excited to share the local culture and industries with a wider audience.
Launched in 2024, the "Tainan 400 Years" project began collaborating with the Xinying Community University to establish "Community Cultural Paths" in six administrative districts in Tainan City (Xinying, Liuying, Houbi, Baihe, Dongshan, and Yanshui). Through workshops and discussions, the project aims to uncover local stories and highlight key industries, using academic resources to help promote the region's cultural assets. The goal is to increase community visibility, attract visitors, and enable sustainable development for local communities.
The "Volcano Quest for the Qilin" event marks the first milestone in the "Community Cultural Path." NCKU has helped identify local stories and scenic highlights, planning a comprehensive route and mobilizing resources to involve various stakeholders, with the ultimate aim of promoting the unique characteristics of the communities.
The event, "Volcano Quest for the Qilin," featured rich stories and hidden scenic spots provided by Dianzi Kou Association members, with NCKU's team designing and planning the route. After an on-site exploration in September, local specialties were incorporated into the tour, creating a well-rounded experience and serving as a model for other community and local organizations within the project.
Dr. Chen Chih-Chang, the co-director of the project, explained that the event focused on culture, industry, and hands-on experiences, with a core emphasis on sensory exploration. Notably, the event was guided by a cross-generational team composed of elderly, middle-aged, and young members from the Dianzi Kou Association. The team provided insightful commentary on local landmarks, such as streams, limestone industries, mining disasters, religious spaces, and notable figures, offering a "co-creation" experience for both the youth and elderly.
The route, which took place in Baihe District, featured several key experiences, including "Ancient Path Exploration," "Lotus Flower Pilgrimage," "Qilin Quest," and "Coffee Tasting." The "Ancient Path Exploration" involved participants walking from the 17-Hut Nantian Temple to the Daxian Temple, retracing historical pathways while carrying a traditional burden basket. Along the way, participants were offered local Baihe specialties, such as lotus seed pastries and honeyed lotus root slices, as well as coffee leaf tea, a product from the project’s collaboration. Afterward, they made a pilgrimage to the Daxian Temple, offering lotus flowers as a token of faith. The final stop was the volcano’s Biyun Temple, where participants enjoyed scenic views and hand-brewed coffee from local East Mountain coffee farmers.
Throughout the journey, members of the Dianzi Kou Association took turns guiding the group, while NCKU's team offered various design pieces and refreshments. The design work centered on the famous "Fire Qilin Legend," and the "Qilin Quest" allowed participants to use transparent Qilin images to overlay with mountain views, spotting the legendary creature lying amidst the scenery.
The "Tainan 400 Years" project team invited participants from across the country, including university social responsibility (USR) representatives, community university partners, and tourism industry professionals. Many community university instructors and mountaineering group members expressed interest in returning for another visit, excited to share the local culture and industries with a wider audience.
Launched in 2024, the "Tainan 400 Years" project began collaborating with the Xinying Community University to establish "Community Cultural Paths" in six administrative districts in Tainan City (Xinying, Liuying, Houbi, Baihe, Dongshan, and Yanshui). Through workshops and discussions, the project aims to uncover local stories and highlight key industries, using academic resources to help promote the region's cultural assets. The goal is to increase community visibility, attract visitors, and enable sustainable development for local communities.
The "Volcano Quest for the Qilin" event marks the first milestone in the "Community Cultural Path." NCKU has helped identify local stories and scenic highlights, planning a comprehensive route and mobilizing resources to involve various stakeholders, with the ultimate aim of promoting the unique characteristics of the communities.
Group photo on the day of the event.
"Carrying a Shoulder Pole Experience"
One of the highlights of the event: "Volcano Quest for the Qilin"
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