A New Interpretation of Sustainable Tourism in the Northeast: Coastal Life from Toucheng Cinque Terre to Bitou Nanya

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To promote the beauty of ecotourism in the Northeast Coast, the Northeast Coast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration of the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (hereinafter referred to as the Northeast Coast Administration) has organized a two-day, one-night in-depth tour called "Exploring the Northeast Coast and New Ways to Visit Fishing Villages." Starting from the Five Cinque Territories in Toucheng, Yilan, the itinerary leads visitors to the fishing port and learn about fishing methods, and then to Bitou, New Taipei City to observe the geology from the sea and witness the grandeur of Taiwan's Northeast Coast Bay. The itinerary also includes activities such as handmade fish ball making, marine waste recycling, moon peach rope weaving, community visits, and tasting of local products. The itinerary is based on the core spirit of "community-based ecotourism" and allows visitors to deeply experience the life and culture of the fishing village through resident guides, cultural experiences, and local meals.

The Northeast Coast Administration's vast territory encompasses diverse landforms, including mountains, seas, bays, and capes. It serves as one of Taiwan's premier outdoor geology classrooms, boasting not only natural beauty but also a rich fishing village culture and human history. The Northeast Coast Administration commissioned the Taiwan Ecotourism Association to promote ecotourism through a "Reading the Living Landscape" approach, focusing on community-based settlements. The fishing villages scattered along the Northeast Coast coastline, from Dali, Gengfang, Bitou, to Nanya, offer not only breathtaking coastal landscapes but also a unique and unique character, a testament to the generations of fishermen who have lived in harmony with the ocean.

Toucheng's Five Cinque Territories are five fishing villages along the Yilan County coast. Gengfang, among them, boasts the closest fishing port and train station to Guishan Island. Ms. Lin Shuzhen led participants on a fishing expedition, immersing them in the village's life and history. She explained the differences and advantages of various fishing methods, including single-line fishing, longline fishing, set netting, and bottom trawling, and explored their environmental impacts. Participants also experienced making and tasting delicious swordfish balls. Jiang Yunqian, initiator of the "Seaside Relay Race," led a beach cleanup to educate participants on the sources, types, and harms of marine debris to the marine ecosystem. The resulting debris was recycled into preserved flowers, transforming it into a cultural and creative practice—a silent yet beautiful act of marine sustainability. Dali, known as the "first stop in Lanzhou," is not only the starting and ending point of the Caoling Historic Trail, but also boasts a traditional old street and the Dali Tiangong Temple, a religious center. Through its traditional streets and quaint village buildings, visitors can delve into the historical fabric of bygone days. Dali 63 is run by two Yilan University graduate students, Liu Wenting and Yang Wenzhen, who were captivated by the pristine nature and cultural heritage of Dali Fishing Village. Hailing from other counties, they resolutely chose to establish their business here. They have revitalized the old stone houses, restoring their former glory. They also passionately dedicate themselves to community care and provide in-depth community tours and special refreshments, allowing visitors to experience Dali's unique, slow pace. The interweaving of culture, history, nature, and industry perfectly captures the essence of this Northeast Coast fishing village.

Lin Shuzhen from Gengfang Fishing Railway Station teaches how to make swordfish balls.

Zhang Liren from Wangyuan Fishing House introduced the fishing methods in fixed fisheries.

Jiang Yunqian, the initiator of the beach relay race, led the beach cleanup activity.

Jiang Yunqian demonstrates how to make preserved flowers from PET bottle waste.

Dali 63, which still retains its stone houses, is occupied by a group of young people.

Liu Wenting and Yang Wenzhen launched a walking map of Dali Old Street.

New Taipei City's coastal fishing villages showcase magnificent bay and cape scenery. Its "bay and cape" geological landscape is one of Taiwan's finest outdoor geology classrooms. Hop aboard a boat from Bitou Fishing Harbor and sail around Bitou Cape. From the unique perspective of the sea, you can admire marine scenery that is unattainable from land trails, especially the massive sea-eroded platforms and sea cliffs extending from Bitou Cape. Looking back from the sea, its majestic posture resembles a giant warship with extraordinary momentum. During the voyage, you can enjoy the best views of Longdong Bay and Longdong Cape, where "soft rock forms the bay, and hard rock forms the cape", making the entire trip rewarding. Upon returning to the Bitou community, veteran seafarer Wang Ruiji of [Home of Seaweed] took everyone on a tour of Bitou. He specially brought out various varieties of prepared agar-agar for comparison and provided guidance on how to purchase, cook, and preserve them. He enthusiastically shared his diving gear and youth as a seafarer. They also stopped by B1 Cafe Bitou No. 1 to enjoy their special soft silk-shaped egg cake. Owner Yu Mengyi, dedicated to promoting local culture and marine waste removal, was awarded the "115th National Model Fisherman" award. These local experts add to the vibrant life of Bitou Fishing Village.

View the Battleship Rock at Bitou Cape from the sea.

Take a recreational fishing boat out to sea to enjoy the scenery.

Wang Ruiji, a man from Bitouhai, introduced the collection of agar-agar in the northeast corner.

Yu Mengyi of No. 1 Coffee in Bitou explains and guides you through the marine ecology.

The Nanya community's activity is to experience the weaving of moon peach ropes. Moon peach is a common plant in Taiwan. Its stems and leaves have natural fibers that are highly tough, water-resistant, and degradable. In the past, Nanya residents used the leaf sheaths of moon peach to make ropes. The value of this traditional craft lies in the fact that it represents the wisdom of symbiosis between man and nature. It cleverly combines the plant handcraft culture of the "mountain line" with the fishing life of the "sea line", and is a carrier of the memory of the century-old fishing village in Nanya community.

Explanation and experience of moon peach rope making in Nanya Community.

The Yuetao rope in Nanya Community is tough enough to be used as a mooring rope for fishing boats, and tourists can experience Yuetao rope tug-of-war.

Director of the Northeast Coast Management Office, You Liyu, stated, "The core spirit of this trip embodies the best practices of 'community-based ecotourism,' promoted in partnership with the Taiwan Ecotourism Association. Through guided tours, cultural experiences, and local cuisine, visitors can experience the life and culture of a fishing village. When visitors purchase local products and hear local stories, this tourism value is directly returned to the community, revitalizing the local economy and achieving the sustainable development goal of 'travel is caring, consumption is support.'" This journey not only allows visitors to appreciate the magnificent scenery but, more importantly, deepens their care for the land of the Northeast Coast. By closely linking ecology, culture, and economy, the Management Office hopes to attract domestic and international travelers to practice responsible travel through low-carbon, slow travel, ensuring that every step is imbued with sustainable value.