The Charm of the old town

CODE: VYA-CYCU-2606 

Zhongli District in Taoyuan City was originally a Hakka settlement. In Hakka, the valley is called "Li," and the area surrounded by the Laojie River and Xinjie River was called "Jianzai." During the Japanese occupation, this area was renamed "Zhongli Street," becoming a major thoroughfare connecting the north and south.

The area along the Laojie River(老街溪) is known as the "Old Street Area," preserving Japanese-style architecture, century-old shops, and a rich Hakka culture. The Laojie River itself has profoundly influenced the lifestyle of the local residents. However, with the passage of time, many local youths and immigrants are no longer familiar with the historical background of this area. To protect this unique cultural heritage, we hope to raise awareness and interest in the history of the Zhongli Old Street area, thereby achieving the goal of cultural preservation.

Host Organization

Chung Yuan Christian University( 中 原原大 學), upholding the Christian ideal of universal love, is committed to the development of higher education with unwavering faith, hope, and love. To encourage faculty and students to participate in society with "love and expertise" and to empower students to apply knowledge in practice through "practical learning," the university established the "Service Learning Program Office" in March 2007. This program was renamed the "Service Learning Center" in March 2008, aiming to systematically and continuously promote service learning courses and programs. The Center encourages students to participate in community service, fulfill their civic responsibilities, and cultivate the core competencies needed for future employment.

In 2019, we expanded our scope of work by taking over the "Taoyuan Youth Volunteer Service Center" from the Youth Development Administration of the Ministry of Education. Our goal is to create a youth-friendly volunteer service platform in Taoyuan and to collaborate with schools, community groups, and organizations to encourage youth participation in volunteer service and enhance the vitality of youth volunteer services in Taoyuan.

Our website： https://sl.cycu.edu.tw

Aims:
1. To promote cultural exchange between local and international youth, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of Zhongli Old Street.
2. To foster exchange between different international cultures and broaden children's global perspectives.

Achievements over the past year:
1. Since 2017, the Chung Yuan Christian University Service Learning Center has held numerous oneday local cultural experience workshops to help young volunteers gain a deeper understanding of the local culture.

2. In 2022, we will focus on the Zhongli Old Town (Laojie District), organizing a three-day, two-night local international workshop centered around three themes: " Laojie River", "Historical Shops," and "Historical Buildings." This will allow international students to interact with local youth, thereby gaining a better understanding of Zhongli's history and unique characteristics. Related links are below.
 Laojie River https://youtu.be/yTLu_7XObXs
 Historical Shops https://youtu.be/F-EnNRDPeS0
 Historical Buildings https://youtu.be/aSylPyxDWtw
3. From 2023 to 2024, we assisted the "46 Lane" cultural sharing space in renovating the first floor space to host arts and cultural activities and exhibitions.
 cultural activities https://reurl.cc/kMp9Or
 cultural exhibitions https://reurl.cc/p9p89b
4. In 2025, we collaborated with volunteers to integrate Hakka bamboo weaving techniques into the corridors and courtyards of "46 Lanes," blending traditional craftsmanship with historical architecture.
W: Participate in community services provided by local communities or non-governmental organizations, and assist in old house renovations and Laojie Rive cleanup work.

S: The Culture of Zhongli Laojie District

AD:
1. Accommodated in volunteer house, where you will sleep on the floor with a mat provided. And Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bags
2. Meals will be provided by the Chung Yuan Service and Learning Center, but there will be cultural exchange activities where volunteers can cook their national dishes and share them with everyone.
3. In case of any emergency, a local clinic is a 10-minute walk from the accommodation.

L: Zhongli District, Taoyuan City.
GM： 中原 大學 https://goo.gl/maps/BsqLpfBAavbzsdSP8
Meeting point: More detail will be informed on infosheet
PLACE: A22 Laojie River Station (A 22), Taoyuan Metro MRT
TIME: 2:00~3:00pm on first day
Google Map: 320 桃園市中壢區中豐路 289 號
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JxkxkwuoBjakDFQ66
T: Tao-Yuan international airport. (http://www.taoyuan-airport.com)

LA: If you are interested in exploring the local culture, we recommend visiting the Longgan Zhongzhen Market or the Daxi Old Street. You can also visit the Taoyuan City Library or the Taoyuan City LibraryLonggan Branch. For more detailed information on these and other cultural attractions in Taoyuan, please visit the Taoyuan Tourism Guide website at
https://travel.tycg.gov.tw/en.

SR:

Enjoy learning about different cultures, have a strong interest in learning, and respect local cultures as well as the cultures of other international volunteers.

PF:
7. There is no participation fee for this program. We will cover the costs of accommodation, meals, and all activity materials. However, please note that you are responsible for your own transportation to the meeting point and any personal expenses.

8. Basic insurance will be provided during project period, but we strongly recommend that you purchase overseas travel insurance covering the entire trip.
9. There will be one rest day (free day) during the planning period.; please note that you are responsible for all expenses related to activities and meals on this day.