Address:苗栗縣三灣鄉銅鏡村
- Chinese Name: 銅鏡社區發展協會
- Year of Establishment:1993
- Located At: Miaoli County (Northern Taiwan)
- Did You Know That...?
- Surrounded by nature, the Tongin community complements the greenery with historical red brick buildings. Apart from the color red, the scents of sugar cane, honey, and tea characterize the region and the aromas permeate the community.
- English Address:
- Tongjing Village, Sanwan Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
- Contact Number: +886-3-783-3879
The development association of Tongjing Village (銅鏡社區) brings together its residents to foster the conservation of natural and cultural heritage in the region. With their determined efforts, the typical Hakka village has been turned into a community that allows locals and tourists to appreciate and celebrate the culture within.
Located in Miaoli County, Tongjing Village consists of roughly 331 families, most of whom are of Hakka heritage. Although the village is close to downtown Miaoli, it remains rural and sparsely populated. Without the perks of urbanization, the population dropped because of the lack of jobs, public facilities, and educational institutions. To empower the community, the development association reconstructed the region by improving the infrastructure, social care, and the environment.
The association offers various activities spanning from eldercare and consultant services to a public canteen, music ensemble coaching, and free weekly clinics. Volunteer cleaners also team up to maintain the neatness of the neighborhood. In addition to improving the overall conditions, the association also hopes to boost the local economy by holding workshops that develop and market handicraft products and Hakka cuisine.
Noting the importance of agriculture in the Tongjing region, the development association has helped to revitalize the industry by emphasizing the cultural and economic aspects of Tongjing's produce. With the sugar cane and honey being the most significant in historical and cultural value among the region's agricultural products, the association launched an annual "Honey Festival (蜜糖節)” to combine the two industries together, allowing tourists to appreciate the history, culture, and the scenery of Tongjing Village.
Farmers in the village have also been working on fruit research and they now grow pears and clementines that are competitively priced in the market. Other products such as tea and homemade pickles are also famous in the region. With the promotion efforts of the association, agricultural products from the village now have higher economic value.
With over two decades under its belt, the association has empowered Tongjing community by enhancing the physical and economic environment of the whole region. The collaborative residents aim to increase community-based tourism through cultural promotion and achieve a sustainable, healthy, and productive lifestyle.