Taiwan has experienced a wave of idle land and buildings being revitalized for new uses in recent years.  From the university’s renovation of an old dormitory into a coffee shop on Xinsheng South Road, to the conversion of the old NTU Library building into the Gallery of NTU History, NTU has been an active participant of this trend as it continues to energize and beautify its historic campus.

In this ongoing effort, the university gave new life to another neglected building last year when it carried out the restoration of a Japanese-era wooden bungalow that was originally a tool warehouse on the NTU campus’ Experimental Farm.  Opening in November, Dao Xiang Guan is now a venue for exhibitions and activities as well as a retail store for the farm’s products.  It joins the Eikichi Iso Memorial House, a former workshop of the father of Taiwanese Penglai Rice, in exhibiting the developmental history of agriculture in Taiwan.

Chun-Chian Liang, a technician at the Experimental Farm’s Horticulture Section, stresses the buildings’ historical value, declaring, “Dao Xiang Guan and the Eikichi Iso Memorial House are the predecessors of the College of Bioresources and Agriculture.  It would be a real shame if they were not preserved.”  Now, the old structure includes an exhibition space and garden area that bring together history and ecology.  In addition to offering a place for people to come for recreation and relaxation, the restored buildings also promote environmental education.

At the same time, Dao Xiang Guan serves as a store offering an enticing array of products grown and made on the Experimental Farm, including fresh vegetables, flower and fruit teas, essential oils, and hand-made soap.

Although the farm is located on the NTU campus, it is an independent organization that does not receive full funding from the university and must depend on government projects as well as donations from private individuals and organizations to stay in operation.  Income from the store helps the farm to continue its mission to promote history and ecology as well as recreation and education.

In preparation for the upcoming NTU Azalea Festival in March, Dao Xiang Guan is organizing fun and educational activities that will be open to members of the Taida family as well as the public.