A few years ago, I saw a news on the internet that Miaoli county had been voted as the least popular place to visit in Taiwan. Tourists seldom include it on their travel itineraries because there are only few attractions to visit. However, this news evoked my curiosity to know more about this place. After doing some research, I found that Miaoli is a place that’s rich in valuable cultures and history. There is a large Hakka population in Miaoli county, most of them live close to mountain areas. After hundreds of years, Hakka people still keep their living habits and stick to their language, customs, and traditions that passed from their ancestors. I was deeply fascinated by the Hakka culture in Miaoli. Thus, I decided to make an artwork to introduce the unique Hakka culture.
I draw myself experiencing the Hakka culture in the work. I crouch behind the Hakka buildings while tasting the cuisine. In the courtyard, I see Hakka people wearing their traditional costumes and delivering the flat-noodles into the bowl. Behind me, there are Tung flowers as far as the eye can see. The smile on my face shows how much I enjoy the Hakka cultures here. I hope the beauty of the Hakka cultures can be seen by others.
In Miaoli, people can find Hakka villages. The three-wing courtyard house is the traditional Hakka architecture. It consists of three buildings and a gable to form a concave shape. However, this kind of building has become rarer nowadays.
Hakka people in Taiwan usually wear coats, trousers, and skirts. Their clothing is usually made of cotton, linen, and silk. The outfit is worn by men and women of all ages. These clothes are usually blue and black, and the styles are very simple.
In the past, Hakka people ate flat noodles as a snack when they were busy at work. Hakka Flat noodles are made from rice and topped with ground pork, mushrooms, and some vegetables. It can be served with soup or dried noodles.
Miaoli is an ideal place to view Tung blossoms which are closely connected to Hakka culture. When the flowers bloom and fall, they cover the streets and look like snow. I hope more people can see and appreciate the beauty of Miaoli.