JingQuo Boulevard

Hotel ONE is located behind
Civil Square.

Taichung receives central government assistance to develop new global tourism image

Words and photos by Taichung City Government
Translated by Ann Lee

"The International Tourism Demonstration Project", hosted by the central government's Tourism Bureau, involves plans to assist five city and county governments in developing a new image for their tourist attractions, towards becoming attractive destinations for international travelers from around the world.

Taichung City Government has become one of the top five candidates to receive financial assistance from the central government, and the government will aim to make the city's JingGuo Boulevard a new highlighted destination for international tourism. According to the Information Bureau, apart from central government financial assistance, the city government also plans to come up with another NT$620 million, for a total of NT$920 million, to create a revitalized tourism image for places like the National Museum of Natural Science, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and JingGuo Boulevard. The government will focus on each of these places by area, and at different times of the year. The project involves building two pedestrian bridges and hosting an international flower expo, a carnival-type event, and a summer "green water" festival. To achieve this, the Taiwanese government will study the building of the Omotesando Hills in Japan as a reference and work to bring that experience to Taichung in order to make JingGuo Boulevard one of Asia's biggest stages for creative cultural attractions.

Taichung City Mayor Jason Hu takes great pride in this project and will lead his own government team to give a special briefing about it at the Tourism Bureau. He has also promoted this project to a legislature committee, stating that it will be based upon a combination of culture, creativity, business opportunities and the creation of an environmentally-friendly destination in the city. The mayor also gave this project the new name "Cao Wu Dao"--in reference to all the vibrant green space in the city, which brings a sense of calmness to the soul for visitors.

Legislature Committee Chairman Cao explained that Taichung city's green parkways were a historical asset that had existed since the Japanese colonial period. Every major city throughout the world has put great effort into preserving pedestrian-only, natural, scenic green areas within metropolises. Such is the case with Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul, Promenade Plantee in Paris, and High Line in New York City. As Taichung is also home to lush greenery and the government has already initiated a plan to rebuild the tourism image, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of this city attribute, utilizing these areas for cultural activities which will bring greater business opportunities.

According to the city government agenda, this greenery project will include the building of a pedestrian bridge, built in the shape of an arched door (the Door of Taichung, going from the National Museum of Natural Science, over TaichungGang Road as a crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists); construction of the Taichung Impressionist Weekend Square (on the corner of GongZheng and YingCai roads); the Cha Yi Hua Xie Art Gallery (on the corner of ShengPing and YingCai roads; and an artistic-looking bridge (crossing from the Art Museum to WuQuan West 3rd Street). These facilities and green areas around the city will be venues for future events planned and held by the city government, including an international flower expo, a carnival-type event, and a summer "green water" festival. The government will initially spend about NT$600 million to build a green walkway from the Science Museum area to GongZheng Road, which is due for completion by June, 2011. The area starting from GongZheng Road to LiouChuan Street is due to be completed by 2013.

Committee chairman Cao also noted that in order to complete this grand project, the government had requested cooperation with the CMP Corporation; the world's largest land planning and design corporation, EDAW; and globally-recognized architect Lee Zhu-yuan. Mu-Hua Advertising Corp. will have the task of designing a briefing report for the project. This top-notch planning and design team, combined with Mayor Hu and the city government's ambitions to make this project a success, will certainly help promote our city's great attractions and bring it into the international spotlight.

Left: Park Lane by CMP shopping mall faces the JingGuo Boulevard.
Right: Art Museum Parkway