第一屆台灣慢城
人氣小鎮選拔The 1st Cittaslow Taiwan
Popular Town Vote

Once sustained by the camphor, coal mining, and forestry industries, the township has gradually transformed into a destination where ecological conservation, cultural heritage, and community life form the foundation of its slow-living philosophy.

From Nanzhuang Old Street, Osmanthus Lane, and Shisanjian Old Street, visitors can cross Kangji Suspension Bridge before continuing to the Penglai River Fish Conservation Trail, Xiangtian Lake, or Mount Jiali. Walking through narrow lanes, alongside streams, and into mountain forests reveals a way of life that has long embraced harmony between people and nature.

The changing seasons are closely intertwined with local produce and cultural traditions. Tung blossoms brighten the hillsides in spring, while Makino bamboo shoots reach their peak harvest during April and May. Hakka cuisine reflects seasonal wisdom, and the ceremonial traditions of the Saisiyat people, the mountain knowledge of the Atayal people, together with traditional weaving and bamboo craftsmanship, preserve the enduring relationship between different communities and their natural environment.

The Cittaslow spirit of Nanzhuang lies in balancing tourism with respect for Indigenous communities and the protection of rivers and forests. Culture is not presented merely as a performance for visitors, but continues to be lived, practised, and shared by local residents, creating a mountain town that is both sustainable and deeply rooted in cultural diversity.

Its granite coastlines, steep terrain, Eastern Min settlements, and wartime heritage sites create a distinctive island landscape with a strong sense of place.

Beginning at the Zhongcheng Gate and walking upward through the stone stairways and narrow lanes of Zhongliu and Lehua villages, visitors can discover the historical layers of Dongyin—from an Eastern Min fishing community and military frontier to its present development as an island destination. Traditional houses, military structures, and everyday village life together reveal the township’s unique historical transformation.

The island’s cuisine is deeply connected to its marine environment. Yellow croaker, striped beakfish, red yeast specialties, Jiguang biscuits, traditional aged wine, and sorghum liquor form the distinctive flavours of Dongyin. Produced through long periods of low-temperature fermentation during winter, aged wine preserves not only the taste of the island, but also the passage of time embedded in local food traditions.

Dongyong Lighthouse, granite coastal landscapes shaped by marine erosion, the famous Blue Tears phenomenon, and black-tailed gulls reveal different expressions of this northern island throughout the seasons.

The quality tourism pursued by Dongyin is not based on mass development, but on preserving the beauty of settlements, environmental landscapes, and cultural traditions. Through community aesthetics, environmental care, and local cultural activities, Dongyin protects its clean coastline, dark skies filled with stars, and everyday island life—allowing visitors to understand the island at a slower and more meaningful pace.

Its tea plantations, rice fields, pineapple farms, and diverse agricultural practices have shaped a vibrant valley community.

Luye carries a rich history of cultural diversity, where the Amis people, Pingpu communities, Japanese settlers, and Hoklo-Hakka groups have lived together over generations. Their shared memories remain visible in Longtian Settlement, Japanese-style architecture, the Green Tunnel, and the cultural landscapes formed throughout different historical periods.

The local character of Luye is often described through "one highland, two waterways, and three industries"—the highland landscape, river environments, and the three major agricultural products of tea, rice, and pineapple together define the township’s identity.

Red Oolong tea represents an important achievement in Luye’s agricultural transformation. Young people returning to their hometowns have continued traditional tea-making skills while developing new approaches to tea production and branding, allowing the aroma of tea to carry the dedication of farmers and their connection to the land.

Walking or cycling through Longtian Village and its Green Tunnel, visitors can encounter traditional houses, farmland, small local shops, and the relaxed rhythm of everyday community life. Although hot air balloons have brought wider attention to Luye, the true charm of this Cittaslow community remains in its tea seasons, agricultural cycles, local markets, and village rhythms.

The slow spirit of Luye is not found in pursuing rapid development, but in building long-term resilience among the sky, fields, and diverse cultures—creating a place where people can continue to live in harmony with the land.