To raise public awareness of historical culture and ethnic diversity, the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, under the Ministry of Culture, has launched the “Walking Tour of Dr. Sun’s Historic Sites and Multicultural Architectural Heritage” series this year. From April through mid-July, ten representative routes have been planned, covering historic sites and cultural spaces across Taiwan, inviting the public to visit in person and experience the profound multicultural heritage of Taiwanese society. Among these, the eastern route, “Exploring Social Architecture and Austronesian Culture—Taitung South-Link”, took place today (the 10th), leading participants along the South-Link Highway to explore the symbiotic relationship between architecture and culture.
Director Wang Lan-sheng of the Memorial Hall stated that Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Three Principles of the People—nationalism, democracy, and livelihood—are centered on respecting diversity and promoting integration. The convergence of indigenous cultures with contemporary architectural expressions is a vivid manifestation of Taiwan’s cultural diversity, echoing Dr. Sun’s core vision of “the world belongs to all.” Through this South-Link walking tour, participants are expected to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and spatial aesthetics of Taiwan’s Austronesian culture, further appreciating the values of ethnic coexistence and cultural sustainability.
This event was led by the team from the Taiwan Social Architecture Association. The itinerary included visits to the Taitung Social Architecture Workshop and Xianglan Forest, where participants admired wooden architecture constructed with domestic Japanese cedar that blends seamlessly with the natural environment, embodying the ideals of sustainability and symbiosis. Traveling along the South-Link Highway, the group explored the New Xianglan tribe and the Old Xianglan ruins, learning about the contemporary lives of Austronesian peoples and the continuity of prehistoric cultures, feeling the extension and coexistence of ethnic cultures within local contexts. Specially arranged indigenous guides from the Paiwan Lalau’an tribe and the Amis Sasalak tribe shared murals, artifacts, and life stories, giving participants a direct, immersive experience of the depth and charm of indigenous cultures. This journey was not only a cultural exploration but also an act of practical engagement, embodying Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s ideals of ethnic integration, cultural respect, and harmony with nature.
Through this walking tour, participants had the opportunity to immerse themselves in indigenous living spaces and contemporary social architecture practices, prompting reflection on how architecture can serve as a vessel of cultural memory and how diverse ethnic groups jointly build history and dialogue for the future in Taiwan.
For details on upcoming sessions and registration, please visit the official website of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (www.yatsen.gov.tw) or the event registration page. The Memorial Hall sincerely invites those interested in history, architectural aesthetics, and ethnic issues to enthusiastically participate, step into the historical scenes of Taiwan’s Austronesian cultures, and experience the rich power of a diverse society.