PEATS Taiwan – traditional Taiwanese arts and crafts

Accommodation: Flip Flop Hostel in Taipei

Meals: Provided by the host, weekend meals self funded by students

Communication: free Wi-fi available at the hostel

INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND:
Welcome to Taiwan!
The host for this event is the Travel Things Museum, a non-profit CIC organization based in London
and Taipei. Their dedication lies in celebrating global travel, culture, and discovery, with a mission
to educate and inspire individuals not only about the diversity of places, people, and cultures but
also about the interconnectedness that unites us all.
The Travel Things Museum Taipei has collaborated with UK Grampus Heritage to present Taipei,
Taiwan, showcasing its esteemed reputation as a hub for Taiwanese cultural arts. This celebration
shines a spotlight on the stories, traditional skills, and inspirations that interlace our vibrant
multicultural world. Curator Jill and the Travel Things Museum team will illuminate traditional Taiwanese arts and
crafts, offering insights into the rich cultural tapestry. They will also delve into early European,
Japanese, and Chinese architecture, unraveling the cultural history of Taiwan’s architectural
heritage. Furthermore, they will introduce the artful fusion of Japanese colonial and Chinese
heritage cuisine, symbolizing Taiwan’s national identity. The program will also incorporate the
artistry of Taiwanese indigenous rattan woven baskets.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• This project has received funding through the Turing scheme, supported by the UK
  government. The Turing grant covers accommodation, three daily meals, round-trip flights,
  insurance, transportation to the site, and supervision. Participants are responsible for
  obtaining a tourist visa if required (UK citizens can stay in Taiwan for up to 90 days without a
  visa) and budgeting for personal expenses and excursions.
• Upon arrival, participants will land at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, situated
  approximately 40 km (25 mi) west of Taipei, the capital city. The quickest way to reach
  downtown Taipei from Taoyuan Airport is by taking the Airport MRT, a 35-minute stress-free
  option. Travel Things Museum team will be there for pick up.
• Accommodation will be provided in a retro-style building on a bustling commercial street,
  conveniently located across from the Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei. It’s an 8-minute
  walk from Taipei Main Station. The accommodation includes mixed-sex and female-only
  dorms, accommodating 3 to 6 people, offering free Wi-Fi, bunk beds with privacy curtains,
  lockers, and shared bathrooms. Complimentary hot breakfast is provided. Additionally,
  guests have access to a bright shared kitchen, a stylish lounge, and a coin-operated laundry
  facility.
• For communication, SIM cards are available at Taiwan’s main international airport, TaipeiTaiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Tourist SIM cards and plans are readily accessible
  at the airport and offer truly unlimited data. This is optional.
• Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, similar to Europe. It’s advisable to apply for an
  international driving license just in case.
• Taiwan uses 2-pin plugs, similar to the United States, with the same 110-volt electricity and
  60-cycle electrical current.
• The currency used is the Taiwan New Dollar, and ATMs accepting international bank cards are
  widely available. Cash remains widely used in street markets and night markets.
• There is an 8-hour time difference between the UK and Taiwan. The first week’s training day
  starts from 12:00 to 17:00, and in week two, it returns to the regular schedule of 10:00 to
  16:00 with a 1-hour lunch break. Weekend off.
• After work hours, Taipei City remains active 24 hours a day, with 24-hour bookshops,
  restaurants, and tea houses to explore. Taipei is known as one of the safest cities in the
  world.
  CONTENT:
  Week One:
  Visit the National Palace Museum: This museum houses a permanent collection of nearly 700,000
  Chinese artifacts and artworks. Many of these treasures were relocated from the Palace Museum in
  the Forbidden City in Beijing.
  Tour of Longshan Temple and Traditional Chinese Herb Lane: Along the eastern wall of Longshan
  Temple, you’ll find a quaint alleyway with traditional herbal stalls. With a history spanning 5,000
  years, the Chinese have a rich tradition of herbal medicine. This place provides a glimpse into the
  various herbs used for diverse purposes.
  Two-Day Workshop: These workshops will focus on traditional Chinese and Japanese art forms. Our
  instructor, Miss Ningling, is a local artist with classical fine art training in Chinese Calligraphy and
  Japanese ink painting. She conducts these sessions at her art studio.
  Dining at City Night Markets:
• Yansan Night Market: This compact evening market features stalls and mini-restaurants
  serving traditional Taiwanese street food.
• Ningxia Night Market: Known for its unique offerings, this market showcases traditional
  Taiwanese street food, including sausages stuffed into rice sausages, mee sua (vermicelli in
  thick soup), oyster omelets (try the underground food court), shui jian bao (pan-fried buns),
  bubble tea, and stinky tofu (you’ll smell it before you see it).
• Huaxi Street Night Market: With a history spanning over 50 years, this market specializes in
  tonic food, Chinese herbal cuisine, crafts, commodities, and gourmet snacks. It’s famous for
  its Chinese herbal dishes made with snakes, as well as foot massage shops and health oriented spas, which draw large crowds.
  Week Two:
  Day One and Two: Tour of Tamsui Historic Area – A Journey Through Time and Styles
• Fort San Domingo: This Spanish fort, built in 1629 atop a hill, offers breathtaking views of the
  river. In 1862, Tamsui opened its doors to foreign trade under the Treaty of Tientsin, enabling
  the export of tea, camphor, sulfur, coal, opium, and dyes. By the mid-19th century, Tamsui
  had become Taiwan’s largest port, hosting a significant foreign population and housing the
  British consulate at Fort Santo Domingo.
• Oxford College: Established in 1872 during the Qing Dynasty, this institution was founded by
  Canadian missionary Dr. MacKay. Dr. MacKay played a pivotal role in cultivating local
  missionary talent. Named “Oxford College” in English due to his hometown’s warm
  appreciation in Oxfordshire, Canada, it later evolved into the Presbyterian Church, focusing
  on missionary and medical endeavors. It holds the distinction of being Taiwan’s first private
  museum.
• Hobe Fort: This striking 19th-century fortress boasts original earthen walls and imposing
  gateways, providing a glimpse into Taiwan’s historical defense structures.
• Drop of Water Memorial Hall: A traditional wooden home constructed without nails,
  dedicated to commemorating Japan and Taiwan’s mutual earthquake aid efforts, serving as a
  testament to their enduring bond.
• Tamsui Customs Wharf: Originally built under the Qing Dynasty, this port office and
  waterfront area now form part of a naval base and are renowned for their scenic views,
  particularly during sunset.
• Tamsui Customs Officers’ Residence: Dating back to the 1860s, this former customs office is
  housed in a colonial-style building, inviting visitors to explore period rooms and experience
  the colonial-era ambiance.
• The House of Maidens: Completed in 1906, this two-story colonial red-brick building was
  originally used to accommodate female teachers, offering a glimpse into Taiwan’s
  educational history during that era.
  •
  Day Three: Traditional Taiwanese Paper Lantern Craft Workshop at Toad Mountain Village
  On this day, you will immerse yourself in a traditional Taiwanese craft by participating in a paper
  lantern-making workshop at Toad Mountain Village, an art community center. The Lantern Festival,
  which falls on February 24, 2024, is a significant event in Taiwanese culture. Also known as the Yuan
  Xiao Festival, it commemorates deceased ancestors on the 15th day of the first lunar month. The
  Lantern Festival’s essence is to promote reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness.
  After the craft workshop, you will have the opportunity to explore the vibrant Gongguan Night
  Market, known for its diverse food options. I highly recommend trying scallion pancakes and sweet
  potato balls.
  Day Four: Visit to Treasure Hill Artist Village
  Your day will begin with a visit to Treasure Hill Artist Village, located in Taipei’s Gonguan district. This
  unique art village is situated within a repurposed squatters’ community and features a gallery,
  museum, and artist studios. Initially, it served as housing for KMT military veterans and played a role
  in anti-aircraft monitoring due to its strategic location. However, by the 1960s and 1970s, it had
  fallen into disrepair. After extensive renovations in 2010, Treasure Hill Artist Village transformed from
  an eyesore into a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The village is named after Treasure
  Hill Temple, a historical and cultural landmark at its center. Granite pathways and stone staircases
  wind through the village, leading to small cafes, art installations, and stunning views of New Taipei
  City. Many of the old houses have been converted into hostel rooms and housing for artist
  residencies. The village hosts exhibitions, talks, and a variety of artists from around the world and
  the local scene.
  Dining at City Night Markets: In the evening, you’ll have the chance to dine at Nanjichang Night
  Market, where you’ll find dozens of food vendors offering a wide selection of local Taiwanese cuisine.
  This night market is known for its exceptional food quality, making it a highly recommended spot to
  try the famous stinky tofu and other delightful treats.
  Day Five: Training Workshops with Taiwanese Indigenous Kamaro’an – Rattan Woven Baskets
  This day will be dedicated to training workshops led by the team from the Taiwanese indigenous
  group Kamaro’an, known for their expertise in rattan woven basketry. These ordinary-looking baskets
  incorporate up to ten different techniques, including creating sturdy structures, intricate weaving
  details to conceal seams, reinforcing edges with weaving lines, and employing a one-thread weaving
  technique for knot durability.
  The workshop will be hosted by the Pangcah tribe, who utilize natural materials and cultivate sedges,
  extracting earthy colors from shoulang yam, old betel nut, and fukugi trees. Each object crafted at
  Kamaro’an studio features unique natural patterns that develop patinas over time. It’s a wonderful
  opportunity to learn and appreciate the artistry of indigenous basket weaving.
  Weekend: day off
  Recommended activities:
• Walled City of Taipei Tour: Explore the historical Walled City of Taipei, which offers a glimpse
  into the city’s rich past. Taipei’s old city walls once served as a protective barrier during
  different dynasties, and remnants of these walls can still be found in certain areas. As you
  wander through the streets, you’ll encounter historical sites and architecture that tell the
  story of Taipei’s evolution over the years. Don’t forget to capture the charm and character of
  this unique part of the city.
• Bopiliao Historical area: The name comes from the fact that timber and animal skins were
  transported here, and the skins of animals was also peeled here . The first recorded Chinese
  settlement of was in 1763 during the Early Qing Dynasty. At the time it was a small cluster of
  houses near the larger settlement at Bangka . Important products that were sold here include
  coal, tea, as well as various other goods. It was among the most prosperous areas in Taipei.
  Week Three:
  Three days visit Daxi, train from Taipei main station
  Daxi Old Street was originally inhabited by the Ayatal Indigenous people, and its original name,
  Daguxian, means “great water.” In approximately 1818, Han Chinese settlers arrived to cultivate the
  area and utilized the Tamsui River as a means of transportation for goods. The street, as it stands
  today, was developed during the Japanese occupation period (1895-1945). The shops along the
  street are designed in a Japanese baroque style with washed stone exteriors adorned with intricate
  carvings of birds, animals, flowers, and plants. Daxi Old Street showcases a harmonious blend of East
  and West influences. In the past, the Tamsui River was navigable all the way to Daxi. The old dock,
  now known as Heping Road, has been the town’s commercial center since the Qing Dynasty. Along
  Old Street, you can still find traditional wooden furniture shops as well as artisans practicing old
  trades such as crafting Daxi’s famous dried bean curd, ironworking, and stonework. The street is also
  home to the Furen Temple and features numerous specialty stores, snack bars, and shops
  specializing in wooden products. Included the Daxi wood art ecomuseum.
• DIY Workshop at Daxi Wood Life Museum: Participate in a hands-on woodworking lesson
  where you can craft your own natural wood chopsticks.
• Workshop at 下街四十番地 Handicraft Museum: Explore antique wood-block prints
  featuring utilitarian features, such as the demon-quelling Door gods for Chinese New Year.
  Printed Door gods, one of the oldest forms of ritual decoration, have been hung on Chinese
  home doors since the Han dynasty. These prints, originating from private collections, are a
  rare find, as only a few printing blocks remain in existence. These blocks are typically used for
  divination purposes in temple rituals. Traditionally, Door gods were assigned in pairs to
  protect the double doors of entrance gates, but in today’s urban living, where apartments
  often have single doors, this practice has evolved. Furthermore, belief in the supernatural
  attributes of these deities has waned over time, with many no longer attributing ancient
  protective powers to them.
  Day four: A Hidden Gem Dining Experience: Yao Teahouse
  Prepare for a unique dining adventure at Yao Teahouse, a charming establishment nestled within the
  Antique Xiesheng Woodware Shop on Daxi Old Street. Originally, this store, which is over a century
  old, primarily sold tea and tea-related products. However, it has evolved over the years, gradually
  expanding its repertoire to include a delectable array of homemade dishes. This hidden gem has
  earned a well-deserved reputation in Daxi for its culinary excellence. What makes Yao Teahouse even
  more intriguing is its unexpected location within a carpentry shop. The restaurant is elegantly
  furnished, creating a delightful ambiance for your dining pleasure.
  Day five: Traditional Taiwanese Zongzi-Making with Private MasterChef Mrs. Yvonne Lu
  On this day, you will have the privilege of joining a private workshop led by MasterChef Mrs. Yvonne
  Lu, who will guide you through the art of crafting a traditional Taiwanese delicacy – Zongzi. Zongzi is
  a delightful sticky rice treat with a rich history. During the workshop, you will learn every step of the
  preparation process, from selecting the finest ingredients to wrapping the flavorful fillings skillfully in
  bamboo leaves.
  Zongzi comes in various regional variations across Asia, but at its core, it consists of glutinous rice
  encasing delicious sweet or savory fillings. These ingredients are expertly folded into bamboo leaves,
  creating a distinctive shape. After cooking in water, the Zongzi ingredients meld together, resulting in
  a flavorful and satisfying culinary experience. You’ll have the opportunity to savor the final creation
  together, savoring the essence of this cherished Taiwanese specialty.
  Weekend: day off
  Recommended activities:
• Maokong tea trails: Taipei Tea Promotion Centre – Experience Taiwanese Tea Ceremony and
  performances.
• Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, national monument, landmark and tourist attraction erected
  in memory of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China. It is
  located in Taipei. The monument, surrounded by a park, stands at the east end of Memorial
  Hall Square.
  Week four:
  Three Must-Visit Destinations:

1. Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival: Experience the enchanting Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, one of
   Taiwan’s grandest Lunar New Year celebrations. To reach Pingxi from Taipei Main Station,
   board a northbound train bound for Ruifang Station and then transfer to the Pingxi Line. The
   picturesque 13-kilometer rail journey offers breathtaking views of Taiwan’s stunning
   landscapes. Originally, villagers released sky lanterns to signal their safety to others, but
   today, it’s a local tradition to release lanterns carrying your wishes into the sky. Here’s hoping
   your ancestors make those wishes come true!
2. Beitou Hot Spring: Discover the historic Beitou Hot Spring area, where the public hot spring
   fell into disuse after World War II. However, the area’s popularity led to the transformation
   of a historic Japanese building into the Beitou Hot Spring Museum. This two-story museum
   offers comprehensive insights into Beitou’s history, hot spring culture, etiquette, and all
   things related to this rejuvenating tradition. Hot spring culture is immensely popular here,
   known for its healing and therapeutic properties, such as improving blood circulation,
   reducing stress, and promoting restful sleep. You can also enjoy the nearby Fuxing Hot Foot
   Spa, which is open to the public and free of charge.
3. Dadaocheng District – Taipei’s Oldest Gem: Step into the heart of Taipei’s oldest district,
   Dadaocheng, where the captivating blend of East meets West, history meets the future,
   tradition meets modernity awaits you. Stroll through the charming streets filled with
   architectural marvels and shops spilling over with goods. The district boasts fascinating
   museums dedicated to local subjects, preserving its rich history. Dihua Street, the district’s
   narrow central artery, is a true gem, exuding an irresistible old-world charm. This ancient
   street is the oldest in Taipei, and every shopfront tells a unique story. You’ll find a blend of
   architectural styles, from mock Baroque to Japanese and Southern Fujian. Wandering
   through this historic area is a pleasure that offers a glimpse into Taipei’s past.
   Food Tour and Dining at Nanmen Market (South Gate Market): Experience a food adventure and
   savor local delights at Nanmen Market, which has been serving Taipei for over a century. It’s
   renowned as one of Taipei’s top destinations for Chinese New Year shopping, offering an array of
   snacks, sweets, and ingredients. Explore the rich culinary heritage and indulge in the flavors of
   Taiwan at this historic market.