【Article by Chinese Language Center】
To assist in familiarizing foreign students studying Chinese at the NCCU Chinese Language Center (CLC ) with local cultural traditions, Ms. Zhou, a teacher at the center, led a group of 22 foreign students on the morning of May 6th to participate in the annual cultural event in Taipei’s Wenshan District -- "Wang Gong (Gods of Loyalty) Tea Plantation Inspection Tour." Invited by the Wenshan District Office This is the third time the language center has participated in this local cultural event, which provides students and teachers with an understanding and appreciation of various religious beliefs in Taiwan.

In Wenshan District, the Wang Gong (Gods of Loyalty) Tea Plantation Inspection Tour has a history of over 250 years. The event takes place at the well-known Muzha Zhongshun Temple, which is over 100 years old. It is dedicated to the deity Bao Yi Da Fu (Wang Gong). The event was revived in 2016 after more than a decade as a folk custom to kick off the Bao Yi Da Fu Peace Offering and express gratitude to the deity while offering blessings to the public. Since 2017, the event has expanded and incorporated into the Wenshan Tea and Bamboo Shoot Festival by the Wenshan District Office. It has become one of the eight major religious and cultural activities in Taipei, and an important event for understanding the tea industry in Wenshan District.

On the day of the event, the teachers and students of the Chinese Language Center gathered early in the morning at Zhongshun Temple to witness the lifting of the deity's sedan chair and then joined the procession with small palanquins and gongs. The students not only hiked through the mountains and fields of Maokong's countryside with the deity, but also experienced the immersive atmosphere through the incense tables placed along the way. Despite the language barrier, the participating students enthusiastically interacted with the Taiwanese people, utilizing their Chinese skills whenever possible. Students like William George Harper from the United Kingdom even had the opportunity to experience carrying the god's palanquin for the first time, exclaiming that it was a rare and valuable experience. The event concluded with a ceremony to pray for blessings held at Maokong Gondola Station.

Although both teachers and students felt tired from the heat and activities by the end of the event, they found the experience to be worthwhile. Jarena Wen, a Thai student studying in the center's beginner class, mentioned that she enjoyed the chance to use her Chinese with so many Taiwanese people at the event who were very kind to her. Kamara Akido Foster, a student from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, believed that the Tea Plantation Inspection Tour was a special event where he learned a lot about Taiwan's history and its religions, which further sparked his interest in Taiwanese culture. Lkhagva-Ochir Khankhuslen, from Mongolia, commented that such events do not exist in his home country, making this experience particularly unique. As the group trekked from Zhongshun Temple to Maokong, they passed by many tea shops and tea leaf stores, engaging in conversations with people along the way while happily taking in the scenery and atmosphere of the cultural event.

The success of this event is attributed to the leadership of Ms. Zhou and the enthusiastic participation of the students. Despite challenges the students encountered during along the way, they enthusiastically completed the journey and expressed their interest and passion for Taiwanese culture. This made Ms. Zhou happy to know this whole cultural activity was worthwhile and meaningful for those who participated.

The Chinese language teachers at the center specially design learning materials every quarter to ensure that students gain knowledge, skills, and insight before, during, and after their off-campus teaching activities. During the spring term (March to May); in addition to participating in the tour, the teachers at our center also planned various off-campus activities for their students. For example, making pineapple cakes at the Kuo Yuan Yi Pastry Museum, experiencing indigo dyeing culture at Sanxia Old Street, and visiting Dihua Old street. We believe that through these diversely designed activities that students enrich their learning experiences, as well as the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich and distinct cultures of Taiwan while studying Mandarin. CLC strives in providing a top tier learning environment and designing a wide range of extracurricular activities, ensuring that every student can achieve greater success in their language learning journey in Taiwan.