David Kuo (PMP, McGill)

What a wonderful experience it was when our family spent our 2nd day of year 2009 at the highly promoted Hakka Expo in Taipei County.  Hakka culture and history is truly an important part of Taiwan. As far as I can remember that one of my best friend back in elementary school is also Hakkanis?! (Note: What is the correct spelling for people from the Hakka culture?) 

:: Date & Time: 2009/01/02 (Friday), 2:00 pm 

:: Location: Taipei County Hakka Expo (2008/12/27 - 2009/2/15)

:: Address and Transportation Instruction: http://www.hakkaexpo.com.tw/info.htm

:: Cost: Free to enter! 

:: Reference: 

    (1) Official website of Hakka exhibition: http://www.hakkaexpo.com.tw/

    (2) Official website of Taipei County Hakka Museum: http://www.hakka.tpc.gov.tw/web/Home?command=display&page=flash (in English, Chinese, Japanese) 

:: Photo: http://davidk.pixnet.net/album/set/14489780

We left Taipei around 1:00 pm and it only took us 40 minutes to get to the area. As usual, parking took a bit time and luckily there is designated parking at Taipei University.  Instead of taking the shuttle bus, we decided to walk from the parking and only took us less than 10 minutes. (it is only a straight walk, but watch out for the incoming cars and trucks)

Photo: cars were driving into the Taipei University campus (only 50NT per car)! We were just walking out the front gate where there was a sign indicating that free shuttle bus is available)

photo: less than 10 minutes, we were near at the main entrance of the Hakka Expo! Lots people with family and kids!

photo: main square of the Hakka Expo! Big red sign welcoming Chinese New Year and fortune!!

Guess what did we do when we first arrived? Well of course, we went to search for the food court! Hakka culture is very well known for its delicious and distinctive cuisine. We tried the wonderful dishes like "Ban Tiao (Hakka style noodle), "Lo Bo Kao" (Chinese carrot cake), Pig intestine, etc

Photo: views of food court and close-up view of the food! (The Hakka style noodle is so “QQ”(elastic?) and melts in your mouth)

After a wonderful meal, we went to the main pavilion where is divided into different sub-sections that showcased different part of Hakka culture through photo exhibition, an interactive TV news room that allow people to try to be a Hakka news anchor, Hakka Puppet Theater, books and art craft exhibition, etc. There were just so many things to see! Be ready to spend a good hour to walk through 2-3 floors of the exhibition hall.  

photo: Family photo in front of the main entrance of the exhibition hall! (Where is Dave, well I am taking the photo)

photo: Family photo of Dady, Momy and our daughter! 

photo: view of the exhibition map!! (yah, lots thing to see and watch and well organized exhibition hall !!) 

Photo: view of the main square where there are performances and as well prize & discount coupons give away for answering question correctly about Hakka related topic. 

There is another outdoor section of exhibition with gift shops! Lots different items for sales ranging from clothing, tea and hand craft (like shop sticks and little umbrella for kids like what my daughter is holding in the photo below). 

Photo: view of the outdoor exhibition and shops! More things to see and buy!! 

Conclusion:

(1) It is a very well organized and foreigner friendly (although I did not see any foreigner visiting at the time) exhibition!

(2) Free shuttle bus service is available from MRT station and parking lot! However since there are going to be a lot of people, be ready to wait with patience! Driving is definitely a good option! 

(3) Don't forget to try out the food! My wife and I think it is pretty authentic for non-Hakka!

(4) Good place for friends and family and hope it will be a culture enrich experience for you!