Taichung area: Do it yourself!

The paper production industry of Puli initiated during Japanese colony in 1935. Japanese discovered the advantageous environment for producing paper and especially the water quality of Puli was pure and very suitable to produce high-quality "paper"  so they start building factories.

In 1970, the paper production in Puli developed rapidly as the economy grew in Taiwan.
Factories were quite a lot and handmade paper started to be exported to nearby counties such as Japan and Korea.

The paper production reached its peak between 1980 and 1990. There were more than 50 factories in Puli providing handmade paper to Japan and all over southeastern Asia.

After 1990, a number of factors including lack of skilled workers, rising wages and difficulty to access raw materials and deforestation, led to many paper factories having to close.

In 1994 a proposal was made to develop traditional industries and tourism.
Old factories set up galleries to exhibit art works of paper. In addition, they present the procedure of paper production and introduce the ingredients to visitors.  

Besides changing the approach, factories have been improving their techniques, for example the Guangxing Paper Studio develops recycled paper made of water bamboo's skin raising the awareness of environmental protection and recycled paper made of grass has become a trend all over the area. 

They now produce high-quality handmade paper as well as creative products and successfully promote paper industry in Puli nationwide and overseas. 
 

"We started from a single rice mill, and now we produce more miso than anyone else in central Taiwan. To promote the spirit of brewing culture, we established the first cultural tourism miso brewing factory in Taiwan. Our unique barrel-shaped building was built with the environment in mind using recyclable materials whenever possible."

In the small but well maintained museum you will see centuries-old antique fir barrels and koji yeast wooden boxes and learn about the history and benefits of Miso. 

About the Miso-handmade class: Brew your own miso, mix the soybeans, rice and sea salt by yourself. Afterwards pack it and take it home to your friends and family. After three months of ripening at room temperature, you can enjoy your own miso.