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“2023 Taijiang Night Walk” Draws 300 Participants to Explore Taijiang Together

The Taijiang National Park Headquarters (TJNP) of the National Park Service, Ministry of the Interior, in collaboration with the Tainan Community University Taijiang Campus, once again hosted the "2023 Taijiang Night Walk" on November 4, 2023. The event attracted about three hundred enthusiastic participants from all over Taiwan. Representatives including Director Chang Wen-Hsiung for the office of Legislator Chen Ting-Fei, Secretary Tu Chin-chou for City Councilor Kuo Hsin-Liang, Secretary Chen Fu-Jen for City Councilor Li Chung-Tsen, Deputy Executive Director Liu Mi-Shan of the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan Joint Services Center, Executive Yuan, Deputy Director Chen Chen-Jung of the National Park Service, Captain Chiu Sheng-Huan of the Seventh Division of the Seventh Special Police Corps, Director Chang Teng-wen of the National Nature Park Headquarters, Chief Secretary Cheng Tao-li of the Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau, Technical Director Lin Chih-han of the Siraya National Scenic Area Headquarters, and Chairman Chen Shih-feng of the Sicao Dazhong Temple, were also present to cheer on the participants.

The event started in the afternoon from the Taijiang National Park Headquarters. Guided by small teams, participants were introduced to Taijiang along the way. The journey began with a raft ride through the mangroves of Sicao Lake to learn about the intertidal zone's flora and fauna. Then, participants stepped onto the mysterious and enchanting Beishanwei Beach and walked northward, accompanied by the sound of the waves, to the mouth of the Luermen River. They continued east along the river to the Zhengmen Temple, which worships Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong), for a brief rest. Afterward, they visited the Mazu Temple, the patron of seafarers, to replenish their energy before heading back to the Taijiang National Park Headquarters via Beishanwei Road, where they received certificates of completion. From dusk to night, participants explored the historical and cultural legacy of Taijiang's early settlers and the unique wetland ecology of Taijiang National Park.

This year marks the 12th consecutive year that TJNP has organized the Taijiang Night Walk. With the assistance of the Seventh Division of the Seventh Special Police Corps managing traffic control and guidance, the event not only allows participants to experience Taijiang National Park in various ways and paces but has also become a much-anticipated annual activity for many people. Despite the pandemic in the previous two years, TJNP continued to organize this meaningful walking event under strict pandemic precautions. This year, the number of participants has been increased to allow more people to immerse themselves in nature, walk on the land, and see more people and more of the ecosystem, together creating stories of life and land. This aims to also step towards a healthier post-pandemic life.