WR01

Farm in Bunun Tribe, Kunuan Village

Wanrong Township

The land area of this township is 600km2, occupied with a population of only 6000 people, and population density is 10 people per km2. What’s special in Wanrong? They have the Taroko, Bunun, Atayal and Seediq Culture, and bamboo harmonica, xylophone performances, hand-woven products, traditional weaving products, bamboo rice, coffee and hunter school.

Tour Highlights

Songhong Farm is located in Wanrong Township, a small village named Kunuan, halfway up the mountain. Since 2009, they started organic farming to plant fruit trees: sweet persimmon, watertight peach, red plum, plum, bitter tea tree, inca fruit, banana, and more, including leafy vegetable. In present, the farm has an Organic Certification verified by the TOAF (1-009-110251, valid till 2030/12/23). The planting area is 2.8 hectares, and the cinnamon planting area is 1 hectare. The tree is 26 years old and the average yield is over 50 kg per month.

The farm owner said that as long as she was not feeling well when she was little, her mother would pick up cinnamon leaves or roots for her to eat or boil cinnamon leaves to drink, sometimes it relieves the symptom. They also often eat soil cinnamon leaves and tree roots as sweets. Cinnamomum cassia has a special fragrance and sweet and spicy taste. Later, for the remembrance of her mother, and also be curious about its efficacy, when the government responded to the afforestation policy, she chose to plant Cinnamomum cassia, the native species of Taiwan, to study and discover the value of cinnamon.

Today’s practice is about cinnamon. During the DIY session, you will be shown the value of cinnamon tree roots, branches, and leaves. They are both food and medicinal materials. They are used in daily life, such as the method of collecting cinnamon leaves, the method of sterilizing cinnamon bottles, and how to distill cinnamon leaves and try it after bottling.

The farm decided to use organic planting at the beginning. Although they’ve encountered a lot of problems, but later, they gradually tried out that the mixed planting method can minimize the agricultural loss. For example, if we plant a row of celery next to a row of cabbage, the insects may also have a partial eclipse. Therefore, mixed cultivation will not cause large-scale damage.

In the farm tour, you will learn about the various plants, fruits and wild vegetables currently grown on the farm, such as persimmons, peach mint, camphor, red plums, plums, bitter tea trees, inca fruits, bananas, etc. 

The vegetarian cuisine at noon is very unique. The friendly planted wild vegetables that can be taken everywhere from the farm are delicious, and they’re so precious that it can’t be easily founded. Tree peas can be used for stewing soup, papaya shreds for cold companion, and tofu stewed with cinnamon, which is a very special way to stew tofu. Fried taro, blanched sweet potato leaves, three-color vegetables, scrambled eggs with aromatic marigold, turmeric with rice, etc., what a luxury feast!

l Session

We suggest a half-day trip,

GROUP SIZE:

min. 12 people, max. 25 people are permitted per booking.

※Confirmation of departure will be notified 3 days before trip (may be affected by number of participants and others)

※The organizer may cancel, postpone, alter places/activities under any consideration of weather.

l Charges

We collect “Handling Charge” according to number of participant. Other charges (eg. material, instructor, transportation, tour guide, meal & insurances) will be reimbursed with receipts & invoices.

12-18 people: NT$500/person

19-25 people: NT$400/person

CHARGES FOR A FULL ENGLISH TOUR GUIDE WILL BE DIFFERENT.

Handling charges including costs of contacting operators (such as paperwork, telecommunication) and field trips with students etc.

Any operators/alliance/personal members or tourists that willing to participate in our tours, it means to understand and accept the rules of declaration of expenses and other related procedures of TCU.

l Dress code & Requirements

Long sleeve, trousers/pants, cap, mosquito repellent, sneakers, rain gear, light outerwear, water bottle

l Itinerary Description

Assemble & Dismiss Point: TzuChi University or Hualien Station

Itinerary|TCU(Please fill up your water bottle & use the restroom)Pre-departure note→Get on transport→Wanrong Kunuan Village→TCU(Dismiss)

l Highlights

#LocalStories|SongHong Farm, Kunuan Village
Host:
SongHong Village
0985378426

Information of related cooperative operator members:
【Friends of the Community】&【Master&Artisan】
 

l Transportation

A suitable and comfy vehicle will be provided according to the number of people. Transportation charges may have variation due to pandemic regulation(number of passenger allowed).

We only hire local drivers with us. With their great experience and familiarity in Hualien, let’s travel around the countryside with ease, and experience thoroughly  in farming & handcrafts.

l Charges include

1.Instructor fee

2.Material fee

3.Transportation(inc. passenger insurance)

4.Travel insurance,NT$2M (inc. medical coverage, NT$200K)

5. Miscellaneous

6.Lunch fee

We truly appreciate your contribution.

Because of you choosing to join us, we get to help AT LEAST:

ONE to TWO local drivers

ONE organization/person who strive to protect local culture & history

ONE association/workshop that put great effort in community recreation

ONE courageous non-profit organization which supports local underprivileged groups

As well as their workers, partners, and families,

Enable them to keep up the right job because of your support.

l Advance Reservation In Group

We cordially invite families, merchants, associations & organizations, customize and book a trip in advance. Options of a Full or Half-day tour is provided, with transportation service at specific locations.

Friends of Charity