Issued by: Planning Department
On the 7th, Chairperson Chen Mei-Ling of the Taiwan Regional Revitalization Foundation and Professor Lee Tsung-Hsun of Central Police University were invited to Yunlin County’s Gukeng Township for a full-day cultural and industrial exchange tour. They were warmly received by Deputy Magistrate Hsieh Shu-Ya, Gukeng Township Mayor Lin Hui-Ju, and the county government team. The morning itinerary included visits to Yunling Hill, the Caoling Shibi Forest Healing Park, and the Shibi Emergency Shelter. In the afternoon, the delegation toured TGC Taiwan Coffee Estate and the Relive Sustainability Regeneration Lab, gaining deeper insight into Yunlin’s diverse achievements in sustainable development, community building, and collaborative art creation.
Deputy Magistrate Hsieh Shu-Ya stated that the Caoling–Shibi area, situated in a mid-altitude forest environment, is rich in bamboo forests, cedar groves, and sea-of-cloud landscapes, making it an important mountain tourism site in Yunlin. However, after the 921 Earthquake, the area gradually declined due to disrupted transportation. In recent years, with the county government’s active investment, mountain transportation and environmental resources have been gradually restored, laying a foundation for renewed local development.
The “Shibi Bamboo Innovation Forest Project,” promoted by the Yunlin County Government, centers on the principles of “respecting nature, adapting to terrain, and minimizing development.” Using local bamboo and natural materials, the project has established multiple landscape rest points that not only enhance trail quality and safety but also enrich the layered experience and value of visitor stays, enabling tourists to enjoy the forest at a slower, more immersive pace.
The Department of Urban and Rural Development stated that Phase II of the project will extend the existing trail system and add several distinctive landscape facilities, including a domed bamboo pavilion, Breeze Hut, tranquil rest spaces, and scenic viewpoints. These facilities connect bamboo groves, cedar forests, and broad viewpoints, forming a half-day to full-day forest experience suitable for all age groups. Future plans include further integration with surrounding hiking trails, tea plantation scenery, and local industries to drive tourism development while balancing ecological conservation and environmental sustainability. Under the guidance of Lai Yu-Hsien, Chairperson of the Shibi Leisure Agriculture Area Development Association, guests were able to personally experience the essence of “coexistence with nature and local revitalization” at Yunling Hill and appreciate the unique natural charm of Yunlin’s mountainous regions.
The delegation then proceeded to the Caoling Shibi Forest Healing Park, where Chief Knowledge Officer Lin Chia-Min of Forest Elephant Co. led a guided forest healing activity.
In 2022, the county government completed the reconstruction of County Road 149A and integrated 516 hectares of Moso bamboo forest resources to create the Caoling Shibi Forest Healing Park. The county held forest healing festivals, and in 2024, the park received certification as a “World Bamboo Landmark” from the World Bamboo Organization (WBO), becoming the world’s first city-level certified bamboo landmark. This recognition enhanced Caoling–Shibi’s international visibility and restored the region’s scenic beauty, establishing the natural environment as a strong foundation for renewed local development.
The Cultural and Tourism Department noted that the Caoling Shibi Forest Healing Park is a key achievement of Yunlin’s regional revitalization efforts. The county has not only built essential infrastructure but also cultivated local tour guides and forest healing professionals, linking bamboo industries, agricultural products, and tourism services. This enables residents to transform from participants into operators. Through interdisciplinary collaboration with experts, scholars, and community groups, a cycle of industrial, talent, and community co-prosperity has been formed, making the park a sustainable venue that carries the region’s lifestyle and culture.
At noon, the delegation attended a briefing by Lai Yu-Hsien, Chairperson of the Shibi Leisure Agriculture Area Development Association, held at the Shibi Emergency Shelter. Lai shared updates on the bamboo industry in the Shibi region. To revitalize the Moso bamboo economy in Caoling Village’s Shibi area, the county commissioned the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources of National Chiayi University to carry out a series of bamboo industry revitalization projects from 2023 to 2025, including bamboo forest surveys and bamboo craft training programs.
The Agriculture Department stated that the Shibi area contains hundreds of hectares of national bamboo forests and forestry-managed compartments. Beyond promoting forest healing tourism, the county is also pushing for the establishment of the Shibi Bamboo Forest Production Cooperative. Through bamboo utilization initiatives and renewal of aged bamboo forests, bamboo material quality is being improved. The goal is to reconnect the entire bamboo industry chain—from primary production to secondary processing and tertiary product utilization—thereby enabling more effective marketing and promotion.
In the afternoon, the delegation first visited TGC Taiwan Coffee Estate, where Manager Hsu Chien-Chieh shared insights on the development of local revitalization enterprises. They then proceeded to the Relive Sustainability Regeneration Lab, where curator Hsieh Yu-Chun presented various creative works produced in the studio.
The “Relive Sustainability Regeneration Lab” is a regeneration platform centered on circular design and community co-creation. Through design, art, and environmental education, discarded materials are rediscovered and revalued. Art Director Rama introduced their project themed “Department Store of the Future,” which integrates local materials, craft transformation, and educational initiatives. The project also nurtures local youth into regenerative artisans equipped with design capabilities and sustainability thinking, opening a new path where youth retention, local revitalization, and sustainable living can grow together.
Gukeng Township Mayor Lin Hui-Ju stated that Gukeng has long been known for its coffee, bamboo forests, and mountain landscapes. In recent years, with the support of the county government and collaboration with local teams, natural resources have been gradually converted into driving forces for sustainable development—from forest healing and leisure agriculture to art and regenerative initiatives—forming a rich and distinctive model of local revitalization. She emphasized that the township office will continue to collaborate with the county government, communities, and young partners to deepen local industries and cultural identity, allowing more people to see that Gukeng is not merely a tourist destination but a mountain town ideal for living, entrepreneurship, and practicing sustainable values.
Director Lee Ming-Yue of the Planning Department stated that the county’s approach to regional revitalization focuses not only on developing isolated highlight projects but on systematically linking industries, culture, environment, and talent cultivation through cross-departmental integration. This enables local communities to build self-sustaining momentum. In the future, the county government will continue to act as both a platform and a supportive partner, strengthening collaboration with local teams, academia, and civic organizations to advance Yunlin further and more steadily along the path of sustainable development and regional revitalization.
SDGs 9 — Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
SDGs 11 — Sustainable Cities and Communities
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.