Doors to Diplomacy Participants

Kang Chiao International School Hsinchu Campus (2026 CyberFair Project ID 8835)
Taiwan, Hsinchu
Official Status: Incomplete: under Development
Teacher:
Category: 5. Local Attractions (Natural and Man-Made)

We estimate 6 student(s) from 13 to 15 will work on this entry.

Description of Our Community: Guanxi Township is a historic town in Hsinchu County, Taiwan. Long ago, the area was home to Taiwan’s indigenous peoples, especially the Atayal. They lived by hunting, farming, and trading in the mountains and rivers. During the Qing Dynasty, Chinese settlers moved into the area. Because Guanxi was located near a river and important mountain routes, it became a trading center. Tea, camphor, and farm products were traded here, helping the town grow. In the Japanese colonial period (1895–1945), roads and bridges were built, and Guanxi became more connected to other places. Education and local industries also developed during this time. Today, Guanxi is known for its Hakka culture, traditional streets, and famous foods like Guanxi rice noodles. Its history shows how indigenous culture, Chinese settlement, and modern development came together to shape the town.

Project Description: Tea The Formosa Black Tea Co. was built during the Japanese colonial period. At that time, the government promoted tea production in Taiwan, and Guanxi’s climate was suitable for growing tea. The factory mainly produced black tea for export, which helped the local economy. Rooted in the rich lands of Guanxi, the Lo family began their journey in the tea industry with basic tea processing. It was in 1937 that the founder, Lo Pi-yu—then 87 years old—called upon local tea masters to co-found the Formosa Black Tea Co., Ltd., the first refined black tea factory in Hsinchu. By breaking the monopoly of foreign trading houses, they brought Guanxi’s high-quality black tea to the international stage, with their trade routes spanning more than 80 ports across the globe. Today, the Formosa Black Tea Co. is no longer a production site. Instead, it has been preserved as a cultural and historical landmark. Visitors can learn about Taiwan’s tea history, see old machines, and enjoy tea culture activities. Mesona (grass jelly) In the past, mesona (grass jelly) was only grown during farmers’ free time on open land or hillsides. Cooked mesona tea was often taken to the fields to reward farmers for a hard day’s work, helping them stay refreshed and cool. In 1989, under the “One Town, One Product” policy, Guanxi became known as the hometown of mesona. Since 2001, the Mesona Festival has been held almost every year. In 2015, a mesona production zone was established, and in 2017, Guanxi became the national mesona operation and management center. Guanxi Township, Hsinchu County, is the largest and most famous mesona-producing area in Taiwan.

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