Meet Our Supporting Partners

Yunlin Caoling Shibi County Road Transportation Infrastructure: The Cornerstone of Reconstruction and Development

Since the 1999 earthquake in Taiwan, the Yunlin Caoling Shibi region has undergone dramatic topographical changes, leading the community through a long process of rebirth. With proactive support from the Yunlin County Government, the construction of county roads has been pivotal to the area's recovery, promoting the development of green tourism. Through bamboo forest management and ecological restoration, Yunlin Caoling Shibi not only rebuilt its infrastructure but also established a distinctive transportation system. This system integrates local industries and tourism resources, driving economic recovery while providing convenient shuttle services to scenic spots, allowing visitors easy access to the area's natural beauty.

Additionally, the local agricultural products, including bamboo shoots, tea, coffee, and camellia oil, form a comprehensive service and sales network aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 13, and 15, fostering the emerging trend of health tourism. Since 2020, the Yunlin County Government has introduced environmental monitoring in forest areas and precision medical measurements, while promoting forest therapy activities and bamboo forest carbon sequestration planning, driving the ecological tourism and sustainable development of the Yunlin Caoling Shibi region.

Shibi Bamboo Forest: Yunlin Caoling Forest Therapy Base

Shibi Bamboo Forest is Taiwan’s first forest therapy base that combines bamboo landscapes with sustainable building materials. Initiated by the Yunlin County Government, this project aims to promote local sustainable development by integrating the bamboo industry with the concept of forest therapy. The design encourages visitors to interact with bamboo structures and the natural environment. The park features several bamboo art installations, blending static healing experiences with dynamic recreational activities, providing a sensory-stimulating forest therapy journey.

This base not only demonstrates the carbon sequestration potential of bamboo forests and the importance of ecological education, but it has also become a space for preserving and showcasing bamboo culture. The area boasts 516 hectares of Moso bamboo forest, and the rich environmental resources of Yunlin Caoling Shibi include 363 species of plants, 196 species of insects, and 83 species of birds. The concentration of negative ions in the area reaches 18,440 ions per cubic centimeter—40 times that of typical urban parks—proven in medical research to enhance the human body’s immune system. A forest therapy trial conducted on 128 participants showed positive effects on cardiovascular function and metabolic rate, reflecting the health benefits of engaging with nature.

Yunlin Caoling Shibi Forest Therapy Festival: A New Highlight of Green and Health Tourism

Since 2022, Yunlin Caoling Shibi has hosted the annual "Forest Therapy Festival," blending bamboo craftsmanship, forest therapy experiences, and local brand markets, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the natural and cultural beauty of the region. The event offers a wide range of activities, including five-sense experience workshops, self-guided therapy experiences, and bamboo craft DIY sessions, drawing in a large number of participants.

To date, over 75 local residents have been trained as forest therapy guides, continually promoting health tourism and local economic development. The event has attracted 5,000 participants, with a cumulative total of 20,000 visitors during the festival period. It has become an important cultural and tourism brand for Yunlin County, creating a synergistic effect with the local Cherry Blossom Festival, further enhancing Yunlin Caoling Shibi’s reputation as a new highlight for health tourism.

World Bamboo Landmark: Sustainable Green Industry

In 2024, Yunlin County was honored as a "World Bamboo Landmark," symbolizing the internationalization of the bamboo industry in the Caoling Shibi area. Through the "2024 World Bamboo Forum" and related exhibitions, Yunlin Caoling Shibi showcased the diverse applications of bamboo in architecture, ecological protection, and low-carbon sustainability, further solidifying the international standing of the Shibi Bamboo Forest initiative. This recognition not only boosted the local economy but also set a global example for the sustainable development of the bamboo industry.

Ten bamboo art installations have already been completed in Caoling Shibi. In the short term, the goal is to elevate the area's status as a tourist destination, while the long-term vision aims to establish it as a national-level forest therapy base and an internationally certified green tourism site. Additionally, to promote innovation in the bamboo industry, the Yunlin County Government is actively transforming the Douliu Sugar Factory into the “Bamboo Innovation Base,” integrating sugar industry heritage with bamboo craft creation. This project preserves the factory's original structures while incorporating bamboo-based art to create a culturally and ecologically sustainable environment. The initiative also aims to boost green tourism. Landscape and bamboo art installations include green spaces, walkways, bamboo horse playground, and bamboo craft exhibition hall, injecting Douliu City with sustainable industry and green tourism.

A New Solution for Super Aging: Launching a Holistic Wellness Ecosystem

As the world enters an era of rapidly aging populations, the focus on holistic well-being has become more critical than ever. Building on the successful foundation of the Shibi Bamboo Forest Project, the Yunlin Caoling Forest Therapy Base has taken the lead in exploring a holistic wellness ecosystem. At its core is the creation of a "Medicine-Free Forest Bathing Sanctuary," developed in partnership with global forest therapy specialists and local community initiatives. The Yunlin County Government has signed MOUs with the Forest Welfare Promotion Center, Institute of Agricultural Science, Chungnam National University, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, and the National Taiwan University Experimental Forest, further strengthening its role in the global forest therapy and precision medicine network.

The 2024 Forest Therapy Festival introduces six immersive international workshops featuring bamboo-inspired sensory experiences, such as Listening to Bamboo, Tasting Bamboo, Sensing Bamboo, Exploring Bamboo, and Reading Bamboo. These workshops seamlessly merge regional traditions with global wellness practices, offering participants a profound connection to nature. The festival also welcomes renowned local poets, indigenous musicians, and sound artists to enrich the experience. Through the transformative power of the arts, participants are guided toward mindfulness, inner peace, and self-discovery, informed by evidence-based therapeutic insights. By weaving bamboo innovation, eco-tourism, and wellness industries into its framework, the Yunlin Caoling Forest Therapy Base is establishing itself as a trailblazer on the global stage. It sets a benchmark for resilience and health across all age groups, offering a compelling blueprint for aging societies worldwide.