To promote local culture and foster multicultural harmony, the Miaoli County Government, in collaboration with the Southern Miaoli New Immigrant Family Service Center, and co-organized by Toufen City Office, the National Health Research Institutes, and the Sanyi Township New Immigrant Community Service Center, proudly presents the "Mobile Homeland: New Immigrant Families' AR Cultural Adventure." The event officially kicked off on May 3 at 8:30 a.m. Highlighting the Toufen Hakka Cultural Festival, the event invites new immigrants and their second-generation children to explore the historical traces of Toufen’s Zhongshan Old Street through augmented reality (AR) technology. New immigrants and their families are encouraged to join and experience Miaoli’s rich cultural heritage together.

With the new immigrant population in Miaoli County steadily increasing in recent years, now accounting for approximately 3% of the county’s total population, the Miaoli County Government has established the Southern Miaoli and Northern Miaoli New Immigrant Family Service Centers. These centers offer services such as home visits, parent-child activities, life adaptation support, interpretation services, and welfare consultations to help new immigrants integrate into local life and enhance social participation. This event especially invites new immigrant families and their second-generation children from Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, China, and other regions to participate. Through themed checkpoints and interactive AR games designed by the Toufen City Office along Zhongshan Old Street, participants can explore Miaoli’s cultural context and profound history. The event also facilitates cultural exchange by allowing participants to compare local traditions and cuisine with those of their hometowns, fostering mutual understanding and cultural identity. Those who complete the five-element-themed checkpoints—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—can redeem exquisite small gifts.

The Southern Miaoli New Immigrant Family Service Center has organized specialized training for new immigrant tour guides, meticulously selecting and preparing six individuals. Fluent in their native languages, these guides vividly present the cultural landmarks, historical narratives, and intriguing riddles at each checkpoint, enriching the journey with warmth and depth.

Hsi Kuei-mei, Section Chief of the Indigenous Peoples and Ethnic Group Development Department, Miaoli County Government, highlighted that the event’s greatest strength lies in its fusion of local culture with the unique characteristics of new immigrant communities. By having new immigrant guides share local stories in their native languages, the event innovates immersive tourism and deepens public understanding of Hakka history and culture. These guides and tour routes are expected to serve as valuable resources for welcoming Southeast Asian tourists, further promoting cross-cultural exchange, boosting new immigrants’ confidence and professional skills, enhancing their sense of local belonging, and advancing Miaoli’s sustainable development.

The afternoon itinerary takes participants to Hebei Village, where they can immerse themselves in the local agricultural lifestyle. The farm environment is serene and lush, cultivating various seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Participants can savor authentic Hakka cuisine and try their hand at making traditional Hakka rice cakes (dafu). The activities add interactivity and fun and educate attendees on sustainable environmental practices and ecological conservation.

This event is more than a cultural experience—it’s a vital opportunity to foster connection and integration between new immigrants and locals. The Indigenous Peoples and Ethnic Group Development Department of the Miaoli County Government will continue to promote similar cultural exchange initiatives, inviting more new immigrant families to join and collaboratively build a more inclusive and innovative vision for Miaoli.

New immigrants interested in participating are encouraged to register promptly—don’t miss out on this vibrant and engaging AR cultural adventure! The event aims to recruit 80 new immigrants and their families, with limited spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration Contact: Li Ting / Hsiao Wo-ling

Telephone: 0963-8160206020/037-371283