The results of the "Third Gold Medal Rural Competition" have been announced, and among 974 rural communities nationwide, Zidong Community in Pingxi District, New Taipei City has emerged and won a bronze medal and a reward of 200,000 NTD, becoming the only winning unit in the Greater Taipei area. This honor allows the Zidong Community to participate in the international rural development training program in Germany. The New Taipei City Agricultural Bureau also especially recommends visiting Pingxi to explore the hidden gems of the Zidong Community during the summer vacation, participating in ecological tours, and experiencing the beauty of nature firsthand.
Zidong Community is located in Pingxi District, the administrative area with the highest average age in Taiwan. Although it does not rely on the popularity of sky lantern tourism, they have paved its path through ecological restoration. The community, in cooperation with the Agricultural Bureau, has successfully cultivated over 10,000 critically endangered Lilium formosanum var. pricei in eight years. By organizing ecological tours and offering locally distinctive Red Honey as a primary product, the Zidong Community has successfully driven local economic development.
Explore the Hidden Gems of Zidong - The Season of Rural Scenery and Flower Viewing is Here
In 2021, the Zidong Community Development Association leased the long-abandoned Dongshi Branch of Pingxi Elementary School and, in cooperation with the Agricultural Bureau, gradually improved the environment, transforming the abandoned classrooms into a classroom café. This not only became a base for ecological tours but also provided a communal dining space for the elderly. Secretary-General Pan Junqing stated that the community will actively expand the diverse planning of the school buildings in the future, including expanding the restoration base to showcase rare species in Pingxi, such as the Lilium formosanum var. pricei, Sedum morrisonense, Lilium longiflorum, and Dipteris conjugata.
The Zidong Community promotes rural regeneration with the concept of sustainable ecology, creating local employment opportunities. (Photo / Courtesy of New Taipei City Agricultural Bureau)
New Taipei City Agricultural Bureau Acting Director Shen Xihui stated that the Zidong Community promotes rural regeneration with the concept of sustainable ecology, creating local employment opportunities. This successful experience will become a model for other communities in New Taipei City, leading to collective growth. Zidong Community is actively promoting the restoration of the critically endangered Lilium formosanum var. pricei, expecting the flower season to arrive in August, adding beautiful scenery to the Pingxi District. The community will host a flower exhibition starting August 24, inviting the public to visit and enjoy the pastoral scenery away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
