Although it's not a typical tourist attraction and is somewhat remote, Shinyuan Township has a charm that keeps drawing me back. On one side, there’s the local legend of a mischievous carp spirit; on the other, the divine miracle of Mazu controlling the waters. These captivating stories, quietly brewing in the depths of this land, have become my reason for returning time and time again.
On a chilly night, nothing comforts me more than a bowl of sesame egg noodles. As I check the seasonings in my kitchen, I notice that I still have half a bottle of sesame oil brought back from Kanding. The mere thought of its rich aroma enveloping me during the winter brings a sense of warmth. Kanding, a region primarily focused on agriculture, cultivates sesame, wax apples, rice, and sugarcane. Due to the locals' dedication to traditional methods, sesame oil has become Kanding’s most iconic specialty.
The first impression Linluo gave me was how warm and united the people of this town are! Since the singer Julia Peng hails from Linluo, when she released her first Hakka album, the locals celebrated by hanging red cloth strips with creative Hakka text in their shops and homes. Even though I don't understand Hakka, I could feel how proud the residents are of this Golden Melody Award-winning singer!
Located in Nanzhou, Pingtung, formerly known as "Xizhou," the town was named after the "Xizhou River" flowing through it. Since there were many places in Taiwan named "Xizhou," to prevent confusion, it was renamed "Nanzhou" in 1956.