2026 Hakka Reading Festival Heads to Liugui and Meinong, Following the 'Taiwan Tea Trail' to Savor Tea Aromas and Hakka Village Culture

The 2026 Hakka Reading Festival 'Tasting Youdui through Literature' series is unfolding, guided by the Kaohsiung City Hakka Affairs Commission, hosted by the Kaohsiung City Hakka Cultural Foundation, and executed by Ri Yue Books. Today (1st), the first experiential event, 'Liugui, Meinong – The Taiwan Tea Trail,' was launched, guiding participants deep into Eastern Kaohsiung's Hakka villages. Through tea processing experiences, tea-infused meals, rural fruit picking, and tea ceremonies, attendees immersed themselves in the rich natural landscapes and cultural heritage of Liugui and Meinong.

Participants experienced hand-rolled mountain tea, tea-flavored dishes, and guava picking in one day, feeling the humanistic charm of the Youdui region.

Yang Ruixia, Chairperson of the Kaohsiung City Hakka Affairs Commission, stated that the Kaohsiung Hakka Cultural Foundation has long conducted field research and interviews in the Youdui region, publishing 'Tasting Youdui' last year to document local farmers and their connections to the land. This year, through a series of events, the foundation is putting into practice the concept of 'tasting through walking and connecting with the land through reading.' This event focuses on food culture, linking the century-old tea-making traditions of Liugui and Meinong, and showcasing the achievements of young people returning to their hometowns to promote sustainable development in Hakka villages.

The first stop was 'Xinyuan Tea Processing' in the Xinfu area of Liugui, where Xu Shengyang, a nationally recognized top 100 young farmer and the first 'model farmer' from Liugui to receive this honor, personally guided participants through the hand-rolling tea process. Attendees felt the craftsmanship as tea leaves turned in their palms, releasing their aroma.

Lunch featured tea-themed local cuisine, incorporating mountain tea into various dishes such as tea eggs, tea leaf fried shrimp cakes, braised tea-braised pork belly, tea leaf ice cream, along with local ingredients like plum chicken drumsticks, dragon whisker vegetables, and large bamboo shoots. Served with white tea, black tea, and tea-infused rice, participants explored the diverse charm of Liugui's tea culture through their taste buds.

In the afternoon, the group headed to 'Hemu Farm' in Zhongxing Village, Meinong, where model farmer Li Ligui led a guava-picking experience and shared insights on guava processing and food-agriculture education. Fresh guava core tea and freshly squeezed guava juice were served, highlighting the innovative development and sustainability of rural sixth-industry integration.

The journey concluded at 'Shanlin Michi-no-Eki' (Roadside Station), where participants learned about Hakka village food culture. Zhan Boxun, the sixth-generation inheritor of Meinong's 'Yongquan Tea Industry,' brewed century-old mountain tea, hosting a tea gathering to foster connections. Miniature Hakka Xinding cakes, specially made by 'Jinxiang Cake Shop' from Shanlin, were served, allowing participants to savor the warmth and slow-paced lifestyle of Youdui Hakka villages amid the interplay of tea aromas and sweet treats.

The Kaohsiung City Hakka Cultural Foundation announced that the '2026 Hakka Reading Festival – Tasting Youdui through Literature' series will continue. The second walking tour is scheduled for September 13 in Jiasian and Shanlin, using local cuisine and cultural experiences to guide participants deeper into Hakka village stories. With limited spots available, the foundation encourages early registration to discover the cultural charm of Eastern Kaohsiung's Hakka villages through reading and travel.